Please * READ THIS FIRST * : Intro/Background/Purpose

Dear Reader,


Thanks for stopping by!  We're glad you took  time to visit.


We hope that this site will  educate and inform you about the proven benefits of dam removal and river restoration.  We also hope to give you background, history, and progress on the Dowagiac River's situation as it unfolds. Lastly, we have framed the major questions and concerns we've heard about this matter post-by-post, so you can visit each one as you'd like. 

Why did we do this? In November, 2010 several volunteers and river stewards learned that  limited options for the dam were being moved with little or no public input or knowledge. We felt that education and awareness of the local residents would create some much-needed attention of the city, media, and local landowners.  There is much rumour and hearsay with issues like this.

We'd like to express that removing dams is a legitmate and viable option; but unfortunately this complex issue doesn't have easy or good information has been centralized. So, here's out shot at making it easier.

There are 33 posts inserted since December that contain a bit of editorial at the top; but also tons of factual data, short movies, DNR reports, and quotes from experts about the following items:  

The fishery impact, the sediment situation, property values, hungry-water, flooding, hydro-electric questions, tax-payer worries, and more.

Niles Residents:  Whether this dam is removed, or the dam is sold, or a new one is built:
Please  note that NONE of these outcomes have to  impact your tax bill !!!  This is a HUGE misunderstanding.

If you read through each topic post, and decide you support the City's consideration of dam removal, simply reading and browsing here is nice, but truthfully nothing will change. To be candid--  you must step up and 'do' something. The most important thing you can do is urge the city to seriously consider this option---- like they promised to do back in 2003.    

An important part of this site includes some 'TAKE ACTION'' posts supplied alongside this page site that convey your thoughts simply by  "pointing and clicking."



Introduction

Dams are being removed and rivers are being restored to original flows in increasing numbers every year. This benefits many stake-holders and users of a river system; rather than just a council or committee that may not have a personal interest.  We will demonstrate how and why rivers are being restored-- with real examples from across the United States,  Midwestern towns that are practically identical to Niles, other destination areas in Michigan, and even within Berrien County.

At one time, dams served an important role and many of them still do today. However, dams were not built to last forever, and eventually outlive their usefulness.  Even while dams sit there,even if inoperable, they silently continue to degrade the water quality. Increasingly stronger storms prove that many dams weren't built for purposes of flood-control. The Pucker street dam is a prime example of this.  Its function of restraining water affects a natural tool in river systems known as a 'flood-plain'; and takes it out of the equation.

As a result, high waters can run unpredictably in a more lateral fashion, instead of downstream. If the dam is to be brought back on-line, it will certainly need to have impounded flows to meet the predicted revenues suggested.

Structurally, the extreme temperatures of summers, winters, and powerful flows of water eventually weaken concrete structures much more rapidly than those on land.  One significant defect lies in the powerhouse (the red brick building with the graffiti on it). The powerhouse is tilted, and the sensitive generators, bearings, bushings cannot operate with the current situation.

The dam prohibits the natural downstream flow and movement of sediment. In agricultural drainages like the Dowagiac, this dynamic is even more crucial to preserve. For perspective on this, the river is supposed to move between 1 and 5 tons of sediment per day; much higher than other streams in the area.

Development and municipal progress that gives us more roads, roofs, and streets diverts more runoff into river systems, and causes rivers to push water beyond historic level and flow averages. All of this has happened to the Dowagiac River; and we emphasize --it will continue with increasing regularity with the passage of time, more development, and as stronger weather patterns continue-- unless-- something is changed.

Dam removal can alleviate these concerns.  There is scientific data, film footage,  and historical information that individually, would be labor intensive to compile on one's own.  There are 3 short films that have actual results and interviews with people who were passionately against dam removal, and how education changed their mind.

Make no mistake --we are behind dam removal as an option to heal and restore this river, but we insist that encourage you to draw your own conclusions.  We'll try to keep "pontificating" to a minimum, (as we know how annoying it can be.) We strive to answer  FAQs that other cities wrestled with ---just like Niles--when faced with the same situation.

Time will be taken to de-bunk  very common myths that arise in every town that visits this issue. We take the time to do this because  these mis-understandings led to rumor and confusion.  There are myths about electricity, flooding, property value, insurance costs, impact to the the fishery and environment, what it really means to be 'green' and more. We  strive to support every point with verifiable documentation. The sources are available right here.  If you find anything to the contrary, please--- share it with us; we are learning as we go and are not professional  dam-removing advocates. Any time we find an error--we will seek for a correction, we will note it in our journalism here.

We are a bit patriotic, and remind you that we all have control of the decision-making process;  you can get educated about dam removal , and make an informed decision about the future of your river. 

 The idea was to have us do the leg-work and invest time assembling years of facts, data, results, articles, and evidence--- so YOU don't have to hunt it down to get proof. Its all kept here.

Now we should introduce ourselves, our mission,  and what's driving the contents of this site. And, whats NOT.

For the record:   

Our group of volunteers, the Dowagiac River Keepers, would like to present, through work and evidence, our assertion that removing the Pucker Street Dam "makes sense". Also, that and now is the right time to start a process that takes several years to complete.  Now is the time to assign a project manager to make it happen; and begin a process or restoring the river to its original, unimpeded state.


Our mission statement: 


"To improve the quality and safety of the Dowagiac river".

We are not a fund-raising organization. We are all volunteers.

The purpose of this web blog  is NOT to 'bulldoze' you with bleeding-heart, nasty, emotional, narrow-interest views.  Lets be clear about that. We certainly have an opinion, its been cultivated after research, first-hand observation, discussion with experts, cities who faced the same situation, and people who live near and use the river for a variety of reasons.We hope to give you relevant information, and support our claims, and de-bunk some very typical myths about dams, electricity, flood-control, fisheries, etc.

We are rapidly sketching out "the process", will share it with you as steps develop, so you can come here for the latest news and information. We believe that residents can be educated, informed, and petition their council members---particularly those in the 1st ward---that you have an interest in the future of your river.



Background and Key Facts:


This year, the Pucker Street Dam will be 83 years old. The average life-spans of most dams in the U.S. is 50 years. It was, while in use at its peak performance, capable of producing between 1%-2% of the City's total electrical consumption. The dam was not created for the purpose of flood control. It is in serious disrepair, has sustained 2 near breaches, has caused several flooding and evacuation events, and is blocking a heavy flow of sediment and causing unacceptable levels of arsenic to build.

By reading more, you will see and learn, with clarity, that dams increase the risk of flooding, eliminate a flood-plain, cause serious issues around improper sedimentation; and you can conclude that the previous floodings and evacuations in Niles, the constant scooping of muck;  were a direct result of the dam. It has been withholding and preventing water from flowing the way it was designed to.

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Some History:

DID YOU KNOW:   The City of Niles, in a previous moratorium, has already voted and  agreed to dam removal and issued a commitment to do so, -- provided there were funds to pay for it. 
  
DID YOU KNOW:     In recent years,  funds are now available, and have been allocated at unprecedented levels across the U.S. for  thousands cities, whose dams are rapidly outliving their usefulness.  


DID YOU KNOW:  An environmental consulting firm (Kleinschmidt Energy and Water Resource Consultants) was paid in 2009 by Niles to evaluate trying to turn the dam back on. Their recommendation was that it is not economically feasible to do so.

DID YOU KNOW:    The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, has gone on record in reports, in articles in the press, and at city meetings twice--and stated they recommend removal of the dam.

DID YOU KNOW:     The Dowagiac river is considered to be the highest quality river-system in southern Michigan. Many intuitively feel what the DNR knows: with removal, it has the potential to get even better.

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Editorializing for a moment:   
Considering the above facts, it was deeply concerning to us that representatives from 3 states had to drive in and remind the city of these facts before they proceeded along.


Question for Skeptics:    

If you think the dam is still an asset to the community; and that the ole' girl still has life in her; please consider this:

What do dams make? Electricty? Nope. They make MONEY.  This dam is a tool the city owns outright that once produced electricity for free. Yet, despite 15 years, a recession, job losses ,a  budget that is in a tail-spin, the dam can't be used to help matters. The Niles electric utility dept. has expert staff --former nuclear engineers,, extremely competent, capable, and qualified to handle dam operations.  A lot of the red tape has already been navigated. Everything is ready to go.

So Why on Earth;  hasn't the city gotten it going again?. 

If the assertions made by a few out there were true, and this dam is a 'good thing' for the city, it would be the biggest dereliction of duty in the history of small-town politics to ignore that potential for 16 years.  

Why would the city  sell the goose that lays the golden egg? You should already know. Its because the expense and effort to re-invest, and bring it on line for a measly 250 KW average is  grossly more than the long-term benefit. That's why.  Simple economics. 

Dams and their equipment don't last forever. Despite the chest-pounding from zealots not seeing the big picture, there really, truly, is a point of diminishing return.  This is not a gleaming, hulking, 300 mega-watt wonder owned by a profitable corporae giant. That kind of money-making operation can justify ongoing repair and expense to keep their money-makers running. This one cannot.



Challenge to You


At the core of this matter, we sympathize with the city of Niles. They are very much 'on the hook' and have been forced into an extremely big decision; one that a city only encounters once in its life. They must weigh risk and liability, economics and ecosystems, and make a controversial move on an abandoned structure in unprecedented economic times.  

The temptation to sweep the issue away--to simply take a payment and let private industry have their way with the dam is very tempting.

However, we are not just talking about transferring some property and equipment. You see, that option will not change or improve anything related to the river, the flood risk, the sediment issue,  or the stability of the watershed. The city will benefit, its residents and township residents along the banks will NOT.

In fact, even if  nothing is done, and the dam sits as an abandoned structure, its mere presence will continue to adversely affect water quality. Sediments will continue to be blocked.

The increasing intensity of rain-storms in recent decades is expected to continue to surpass rain patterns of the 1920s  when the dam was built.  Biologically, water temperature and oxygen levels in the water will deteriorate.

From a land and square-footage standpoint, there is now a great concern over the loss of Losensky Park via the sale of property and the area that a private corporation that will have to utilize in  a huge and lengthy re-construction.

Many people are for--- or against --dam removal because of one or two specific reasons or interests. This makes sense, as we've been taught to look out for 'number one'

However, the river isn't a private resource for just you.  If you personally want to leave things as they are, and keep the dam in place.....perhaps you should ask yourself about that reason. Is is broad and philanthropic? Is it long-term? or short-term? Is the reason specific and narrow ?  Removal of a dam affects many different types of stakeholders in many ways. For a long, long time. We get that. We' try to each of those stakeholders here.

You see, we have learned multitudes in our work. Removing an obsolete dam is not just an issue about improving flood-control. Or abating toxins. Or doing it 'just because' the money is there and we should all  'go green'. Or trying to improve property values. Or pretending a piece of concrete is an 83-yr old monument with fond memories attached--so  adventurous teenagers can climb on it. Or easier stream access for  families. Or letting wild fish migrate and reproduce unimpeded. Or getting a better kayaking destination.   Its about all those things, but ultimately, its a commitment to restore a river that was perfectly fine before humans dammed it.

It was used to produce 1%-2% of the cities power many years ago. It is no longer capable to do that job.  We have visited  walked, waded, and paddled restored rivers in many states in the midwest and in Berrien county before, during, and after dam removal.  The results have inspired us to share with you what is possible. You will soon get to see it for yourself in Watervliet, as they have decided to remove their dam. Last year, 3 dams in Michigan came down with 57 others in the U.S.

So, the Challenge? is to ask that you consider 'all' of the impacts beyond what you as an individual may be most concerned with. Think bigger, think future, think of the opportunity to make significant and lasting impact.


Final Request:

If you thought this information is of any value, and you know of anyone in Niles---,   
Please pass this link on.   The internet makes it very easy for all to get involved, educated and contribute in some small way. Thanks, and please 'do' something; however small.

Information and details are on the side menu....look there for details.

Thank You,




Dowagiac River Keepers




Jan 27