Fish Passage (Dearborn, MI)
Project Description 
The dam at the Henry Ford Estate is located on the middle branch of the Rouge River just upstream from its confluence with the lower branch of the Rouge River in the city of Dearborn. The dam, a National Historic Landmark, is the first dam upstream of the mouth of the Rouge River and blocks fish movement from the watershed into the lower reaches of the Rouge River as well as movement of Great Lakes fish from the Detroit River upstream into potential spawning and foraging habitat in the Rouge. Fish passage around the dam would be a major step in reconnecting segments (18–36 miles) of the Rouge for the benefit of fish and other wildlife.
Nonfederal Project Sponsor
Wayne County, Michigan.
Congressional Interest
- Senator Carl Levin (D-MI)
- Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
- Representative John Dingell (D-MI-15)
- Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI-13)
Stage
Feasibility.
Current Status
The Fairlane Fish Passage project was one of six focus areas of interest evaluated in the Rouge River Watershed (Gateway Area) Section 905(b) Analysis Reconnaissance Report that was approved 4 June 2004. The project was subsequently moved to the GLFER program. A preliminary restoration plan has been approved and a concept design completed. Future funds will be used to continue feasibility-level planning and design efforts focusing on environmental regulatory agency coordination and site data acquisition. Additional funding would be used to complete the feasibility efforts, including hydraulic modeling, detailed design, feasibility report preparation, and administrative review and approval.
Funding
| Total | Federal | Nonfederal | |
| Current working estimate | $2,180,000 | $1,417,000 | $763,000 |
| Funding to date | $179,400 | $179,400 | $0 |
| Funds required to complete project | $2,000,600 | $1,237,600 | $763,000 |
Henry Ford Estate Dam Project Manager Patrick Kuhne Click here to download a copy |