The Shiawassee River runs along the west side of our family farm property and has since it was established in 1865! Recently, the State of Michigan, owners of the Shiatown Dam, decided to remove the dam - even after my family and neighbors voiced our opinions against the dam's removal.
The Shiatown dam spillway barriers were removed in October 2012 and since that time we have seen a DRASTIC difference in the river. As you can see in the pictures (above), the view from my parent's back hill of the river used to be beautiful...now the Shiawassee River should be called the Shiawassee Trickle! It's AWFUL! You can jump from shore to shore...that is, IF you can get to the river without sinking into the muddy mess!
Now that a grant has funded the rest of the dam's removal, it is scheduled to be removed by 2015. If you think the photos above are disturbing...just wait until the dam is completely gone...
The Shiatown dam spillway barriers were removed in October 2012 and since that time we have seen a DRASTIC difference in the river. As you can see in the pictures (above), the view from my parent's back hill of the river used to be beautiful...now the Shiawassee River should be called the Shiawassee Trickle! It's AWFUL! You can jump from shore to shore...that is, IF you can get to the river without sinking into the muddy mess!
Now that a grant has funded the rest of the dam's removal, it is scheduled to be removed by 2015. If you think the photos above are disturbing...just wait until the dam is completely gone...