The rapids that once churned through downtown Grand Rapids are returning, and construction will begin this summer to remove four historic dams and reshape the river into the wild waterway the city earned its name for.

Grand Rapids officials and Grand Rapids WhiteWater announced the project received $11 million in federal funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, clearing the final authorization needed to start construction on the Lower Reach phase.

The work will remove four low-head dams spanning from Bridge Street to Fulton Street in downtown Grand Rapids. Project officials plan to add approximately 20,000 tons of natural rock and boulders to the riverbed to create rolling whitewater features including riffles, boulder clusters, and boulder arches.

After 17 years of planning and collaboration, we are finally bringing the rapids back to the Grand River, Mayor David LaGrand said. This project will transform our riverfront, improve access to the water, and create a healthier, more vibrant river for generations.

The removal of the dams will create recreational opportunities for kayaking, tubing, angling, wading and more downtown. Officials say the project will also increase the diversity and productivity of native Great Lakes fish while protecting threatened and endangered species including lake sturgeon, river redhorse and snuffbox mussel.

A Two-Phase Project

The current construction project is phase 1 of a broader restoration effort. The second phase, known as the Upper Reach project, centers around the removal and replacement of the historic Sixth Street Dam.

The Upper Reach portion is still several years from construction. The city recently began an environmental impact study for this phase, which is expected to take two years and must be completed before design work can begin.

We are wrapping up 15 years of design and planning, and looking toward construction of the lower reach in the summer of 2026, said Matt Chapman, executive director of Grand Rapids WhiteWater.

The Sixth Street Dam work is being led by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in partnership with the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids WhiteWater, and numerous state and federal agencies. Since the Sixth Street Dam is the first sea lamprey barrier on the Grand River, this work must carefully balance restoration goals with ongoing protection of Michigan fisheries.

Environmental Safety Approved

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently authorized the $11 million funding after conducting a months-long environmental assessment. The assessment determined in January that the project will be environmentally safe and have no significant impact on the river.

U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, touted the projects anticipated positive impact on public safety, environmental health and outdoor recreation in a news release from the city.

This significant funding will yield enormous benefits for Grand Rapids public safety, environmental health, and economic development while ensuring generations to come can enjoy the rivers outdoor recreation opportunities, Scholten said.

A Nearly Two-Decade Vision

The Grand River restoration project has been in the works for nearly two decades. The project is being led by the city of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids WhiteWater, the private entity that envisioned the return of the rapids since 2009.

The city recently began the environmental impact study portion of the Upper Reach project, which is expected to take two years and must be completed before design work can begin.

This is a historic moment for Grand Rapids, Mayor David LaGrand said. After 17 years of planning and collaboration, we are finally bringing the rapids back to the Grand River. This project will transform our riverfront, improve access to the water, and create a healthier, more vibrant river for generations. I would like to thank the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Grand Rapids Whitewater, former Mayors George Heartwell and Rosalynn Bliss, our current and past federal and state legislators, and our many river partners for their long-standing support and commitment to this vision.

The Grand River restoration project has been in the works for nearly two decades. The project is being led by the city of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids WhiteWater, the private entity that envisioned the return of the rapids since 2009.

The Road to Grand Rapids

The rapids that once churned through downtown Grand Rapids are returning, and construction will begin this summer to remove four historic dams and reshape the river into the wild waterway the city earned its name for.

Grand Rapids officials and Grand Rapids WhiteWater announced the project received $11 million in federal funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, clearing the final authorization needed to start construction on the Lower Reach phase.

The work will remove four low-head dams spanning from Bridge Street to Fulton Street in downtown Grand Rapids. Project officials plan to add approximately 20,000 tons of natural rock and boulders to the riverbed to create rolling whitewater features including riffles, boulder clusters, and boulder arches.

After 17 years of planning and collaboration, we are finally bringing the rapids back to the Grand River, Mayor David LaGrand said. This project will transform our riverfront, improve access to the water, and create a healthier, more vibrant river for generations.

The removal of the dams will create recreational opportunities for kayaking, tubing, angling, wading and more downtown. Officials say the project will also increase the diversity and productivity of native Great Lakes fish while protecting threatened and endangered species including lake sturgeon, river redhorse and snuffbox mussel.

A Two-Phase Project

The current construction project is phase 1 of a broader restoration effort. The second phase, known as the Upper Reach project, centers around the removal and replacement of the historic Sixth Street Dam.

The Upper Reach portion is still several years from construction. The city recently began an environmental impact study for this phase, which is expected to take two years and must be completed before design work can begin.

We are wrapping up 15 years of design and planning, and looking toward construction of the lower reach in the summer of 2026, said Matt Chapman, executive director of Grand Rapids WhiteWater.

The Sixth Street Dam work is being led by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in partnership with the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids WhiteWater, and numerous state and federal agencies. Since the Sixth Street Dam is the first sea lamprey barrier on the Grand River, this work must carefully balance restoration goals with ongoing protection of Michigan fisheries.

Environmental Safety Approved

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently authorized the $11 million funding after conducting a months-long environmental assessment. The assessment determined in January that the project will be environmentally safe and have no significant impact on the river.

U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, touted the projects anticipated positive impact on public safety, environmental health and outdoor recreation in a news release from the city.

This significant funding will yield enormous benefits for Grand Rapids public safety, environmental health, and economic development while ensuring generations to come can enjoy the rivers outdoor recreation opportunities, Scholten said.

A Nearly Two-Decade Vision

The Grand River restoration project has been in the works for nearly two decades. The project is being led by the city of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids WhiteWater, the private entity that envisioned the return of the rapids since 2009.

The city recently began the environmental impact study portion of the Upper Reach project, which is expected to take two years and must be completed before design work can begin.

This is a historic moment for Grand Rapids, Mayor David LaGrand said. After 17 years of planning and collaboration, we are finally bringing the rapids back to the Grand River. This project will transform our riverfront, improve access to the water, and create a healthier, more vibrant river for generations. I would like to thank the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Grand Rapids Whitewater, former Mayors George Heartwell and Rosalynn Bliss, our current and past federal and state legislators, and our many river partners for their long-standing support and commitment to this vision.