What was once viewed as a delay for the restoration of the city’s namesake river, is now a priority for the Grand Rapids Whitewater Project. Mussels are a vital part of the Great Lakes ecosystem. As part of the plan to revitalize the Grand River, the City of Grand Rapids says it is now taking steps towards preserving endangered mussels for the ecological benefit of the river and its inhabitants.
Before construction begins, these freshwater creatures will be relocated to nearby areas along the Grand River. The relocation process, funded by a $7 million dollar grant by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MDEC), begins on August 22, 2024 and continues through October 2024. Various environmental-focused state offices including Michigan Department of Environment and the Michigan Department of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service weighed in on this timeline to determine the most sound course of action.
This comes 15 years after the project was initially announced. The work carried out by about four dive teams includes identifying, counting and marking endangered Snuffbox Mussels known as Epioblasma triquetra and other endangered and common mussel species. According to a statement by the City of Grand Rapids, the search will take place in an area about the “size of eight football fields.” Divers could take about 100 days to cover all of that ground.
The next steps in the Grand River restoration process include the removal of lower head dams and the installation of rock substrate. Grand River reconstruction is set to begin in 2025.
The Exploratory Journal 