Flint River Restoration Project
2024-25 Construction Overview
Construction on the Genesee County Parks Flint River Restoration Project will continue beginning June 2024. It is expected to take 18 months to complete. This work will entirely remove Hamilton Dam and create a series of rock “riffles” within the Flint River. Genesee County Parks and their environmental contractor have indicated that once completed, this work will improve flood control and river access, including creating new recreational access and opening 25 miles of waterways for fish and aquatic species passage.
The work will occur in two areas: adjacent to Riverbank Park between Grand Traverse Street and Harrison Street, near the UM-Flint campus, and further upstream of campus at Vietnam Veterans Park at James P. Cole Boulevard and Hamilton Avenue.
This work includes entirely removing Hamilton Dam by removing the dam weir, removing the remnants of Fabri Dam, and creating a new in-river structure that will manage the river’s water in the absence of the dams. The new in-river structure will consist of six riffles. The riffles are clusters of rocks designed to mimic naturally occurring in-river structures and will be placed strategically within the river. This approach is intended to maximize the effect of in-river restoration work on the natural habitat, including benefits to fish and other aquatic species.
The primary impact on our campus will be as follows: Beginning July 2024 and continuing through March 2025, you will see activity on both sides of the river between the Pedestrian Bridge and Harrison Street, predominantly affecting the North Lawn. Although there will be some sidewalk closures and rerouting of foot traffic in those areas along both sides of the river, bridge traffic should not be impacted.
For more information on this ongoing project, please visit the Genesee County Park Flint River Restoration Project webpage.