Kalamazoo River Webline
Kalamazoo River Webline

Boater Safety!

For the rest of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, the Kalamazoo River will be closed to the public between Plainwell and Otsego to allow for sediment removal near the Plainwell Dam. Kayakers and canoeists should observe all posted signs and safety buoys to avoid the area.

Boaters are required to exit the river at the Main Street Bridge in Plainwell and may reenter the river at the Farmer Street Bridge in Otsego. No form of portage will be available around the Plainwell Dam, as construction crews are preparing to complete removal of the structure later this year.

Excavation Underway at Plainwell Impoundment Cleanup Site
After a winter slow down and several weeks of site preparation work, excavation of the areas targeted for removal in the 2008 construction season is now underway. Click here for the current weekly update report and to see a map of the Plainwell Impoundment project area.

Investigation Work in Progress
The first phase of a new round of investigations planned for the Kalamazoo River is complete. Field crews are currently making plans to start the next phase of work, collecting samples of sediment and floodplain soil in areas of the river between Morrow Dam and Plainwell Dam. If you see field crews working on the river, please keep your distance for safety reasons, and if you need to approach the workers, announce yourself and proceed with care.


 Welcome to the Kalamazoo River Webline!



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Plainwell Impoundment Removal Action

Click here for the latest on the ongoing cleanup effort
at Plainwell.

Project Photo: A couple of (not so) little pieces of history were discovered last fall along the Kalamazoo River. Crews working on the Plainwell Cleanup project unearthed the old turbine impellers from the Plainwell Dam powerhouse (see photo to right of one of the impellers) while excavating the area where the hydroelectric facility used to be. The construction team gave the impellers, which are in remarkably good shape given their age, to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, who in turn donated them to the City of Plainwell.



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Kalamazoo River Between Plainwell and Otsego Closed for 2008

Department of Natural Resources — April 7, 2008
The Department of Natural Resources today issued a reminder that the Kalamazoo River is closed to the public between the cities of Plainwell and Otsego. The closure will be in effect for the entire year due to activities involving removal of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated sediments from the river... Click here to read MDNR's press release on the river closure.



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Fish Consumption Advisories for the Kalamazoo River

The Michigan Department of Community Health issues a Michigan Family Fish Consumption Guide that includes recommendations on ways to "get the benefits of eating fish without the risks from chemical contamination." Tips on fish preparation methods are included along with specific fish consumption advice by water body, fish species, and fish length. The MDCH´s recommendations for the Kalamazoo River are listed on pages 38 and 39 of the guide. Click here to read the most recent Consumption Guide.

Have a question?
Kalamazoo.Questions@arcadis-us.com

For general project information, contact the Kalamazoo River Project Team at Kalamazoo.Questions@arcadis-us.com.

 Kalamazoo.Plainwell@arcadis-us.com

If you have specific questions about the ongoing cleanup project in the former Plainwell Impoundment, contact us at Kalamazoo.Plainwell@arcadis-us.com.
All Rights Reserved 2008 — Kalamazoo River Study Group