Caledonia Township has approved a $127,900 project to remove an abandoned causeway from the Shiawassee River, a move officials say will improve fish passage, reconnect a vital section of the river water trail, and address a longstanding public safety concern.

The project is funded in part by an $87,573 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Habitat Grant Program, with $40,300 in local funding covering the remainder of the estimated project costs.

The causeway is a 185-foot-long structure spanning a section of the Shiawassee River a few miles upstream from Corunna, bordering the Michigan Brick property. According to the Friends of the Shiawassee River, a buildup of woody debris has caused the structure to behave more like a dam, disrupting the natural flow of the river.

The structure was built in the 1950s as a crossing to shale mines on the west side of the river, but it has long since been abandoned. Because the causeway is not regulated or maintained, it has been deteriorating over the decades.

"This project is a great example of what can happen when local government, community organizations and state partners work together toward a shared goal," said Amy Holek, Caledonia Township Supervisor. "Removing this obsolete structure will address a longstanding concern in the river while improving habitat, recreation and public safety. Caledonia Township is pleased to help move this important project forward."

Rowe Engineering has completed a design for the project, and GEI Consultants has surveyed environmental conditions downstream. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued a permit to allow work in the river under specified conditions, with provisions to address shoreline woody debris and site restoration while protecting downstream mussels.

Officials say restoring continuity to the river is expected to bring back fish species including smallmouth bass, walleye, suckers, and northern pike.

"This is truly a win-win for our state and river enthusiasts," said Ron Spicer, Caledonia Township Trustee. "This not only opens the water trail up for a longer and safer stretch, it also satisfies a longstanding goal of the DNR Fisheries Habitat Program for the future health of this valuable natural resource."

The project will reopen approximately four miles of the Shiawassee River Water Trail between the Shiawassee County Parks and Recreation Commission's Lytle Road Park launch and McCurdy Park in Corunna. Removing the causeway and debris is expected to improve public safety and create more family-friendly boating opportunities by reducing hazards.

"For the Shiawassee River Water Trail, reconnecting this stretch is significant," said David Lossing, Chair of the Shiawassee River Water Trail Coalition. "A water trail should provide people with a safe and enjoyable way to experience the river and the communities along it. Removing this obstruction will reconnect an important section of the trail, while also benefiting the health of the river itself."

The project is also expected to benefit the local economy. The Shiawassee River is designated as both a National Water Trail and a State Water Trail, attracting paddlers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts from the county and across the state.

Subject to suitable water levels and the timing of the competitive bidding process, the Friends of the Shiawassee River believe the causeway could be removed as early as this fall. The grant provides a one-year period to complete the work, giving the township the option of finishing removal during the summer of 2027.