Fish Passage (Frankenmuth, MI)
Project Description 
The Frankenmuth Dam is located on the Cass River within the city of Frankenmuth, approximately 20 miles south of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay. The Cass River originates in Tuscola County in east central Michigan near Cass City. The Cass River’s watershed encompasses 848 sq. miles and lies within the Saginaw Bay watershed. The Frankenmuth Dam is a concrete dam approximately 240 feet long with a structural height of 14 feet. It was built in the 1850s to supply water to a local mill. Although walleye and lake sturgeon are the species targeted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources & Environment and the Partnership for the Saginaw Bay Watershed, a fish passage at the Frankenmuth Dam would also increase habitat connectivity for a variety of other species including white sucker, white bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, northern pike, and steelhead. Connecting river habitat for these species would benefit the overall diversity of Cass River and Saginaw Bay watershed species.
Nonfederal Partner
- City of Frankenmuth
Congressional Interest
- Senator Carl Levin (D-MI)
- Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
- Representative Dale Kildee (D-MI-5)
Current Status
A preliminary restoration plan has been approved and a concept design completed. Existing funds are being used to complete the feasibility-level planning and design efforts, prepare an environmental assessment, and obtain project review/approval. Upon feasibility phase approval, detailed design efforts will commence. Provided that a suitable design can be completed, a contract for construction could be awarded using FY2011 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funds.
Funding
| Total | Federal | Nonfederal | |
| Current working estimate | $3,100,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Funding to date | $324,000 | $324,000 | * |
| Funds required to complete project | $2,776,000 | $1,676,000 | $1,100,000 |
*No data was provided. |
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Project Manager Carl A. Platz Click here to download a copy |