Kalamazoo River Restora on Project

Survey

The Kalamazoo River in Downtown Battle Creek is entering a new era. Roughly 60
years ago, a ood reduction project channelized the river with concrete riverbanks to
quickly move water away from Downtown. However, the concrete is aging, it’s
unattractive, has negative impacts to the river’s ecology, and it uses an outdated
approach to reduce ooding. In reimagining the river, the City of Battle Creek will
develop a river corridor concept that utilizes a bank and oodplain of native plants to
effectively manage stormwater and ood ows, while improving the natural and aquatic
health of the Kalamazoo River. The project will include long-term visioning to help
catalyze a revitalized river corridor, support additional recreation options, and improve
connectivity to Downtown Battle Creek. Over the next 18 months, a conceptual plan for
the future of the Kalamazoo River corridor will be developed. A team of subject matter
experts will be studying how to remove the existing Monroe Street dam, replace the
concrete channel with ood tolerant plants, establish the Kalamazoo River corridor as
an amenity for residents of Battle Creek, and identify the steps to turn the vision into
reality.
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We want to hear from you! Your ideas will help determine the future vision of the
Kalamazoo River.

Please scan the QR code or visit the link to take the survey. We value your feedback!
Link to survey or https://battlecreekmi.gov/985/Kalamazoo-River-Naturalization
Kalamazoo River Restoration
Project in Battle Creek, MI
Kris Martin
Presenter Name Urban Planner
Battle Creek Unlimited
 Agenda

• Project Goals for the Kalamazoo River Restoration

Project
• Kalamazoo River History
• Project Background
• Project Status
• Questions

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 Project Goals
RECONNECTING THE RIVER FOR R E M OVA L O F C O N C R E T E R I V E R , D A M
H A B I TAT R E S T O R A T I O N A N D & C U LV E R T S T O A N A T U R A L S T A T E
R E C R E AT I O N A L O P P O R T U N I T I E S

• River Restoration and Dam removal in Battle • Restoring the river channel from environmental
Creek would reconnect the river from Morrow impacts of the Federal project and the dam will
Dam (RM 76.5) downstream to (~RM 122) not only address a wide variety of fish and
for a total of ~46 miles of the mainstem wildlife ecosystem and related environmental
Kalamazoo River. In addition, 13 major issues, but it will also increase recreational
tributaries and the lower Battle Creek are opportunities, improve pedestrian access, and
located in the 46-mile stretch adding to the connect the downtown with the surrounding
total reconnected mileage. businesses and neighborhoods to spur
economic opportunities in and around the
downtown Battle Creek community.

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Kalamazoo River Restoration Project Area

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Culverts on Kalamazoo River along
Dickman Rd.

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Monroe Street Dam
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 History of the Kalamazoo River

The Kalamazoo River is the result of two glacial lobes, the Saginaw and the
Michigan, advancing southwest and retreating northeast across the Michigan
landscape over 14,000 years ago. This river is the seventh-longest river in
Michigan. It is approximately 178 miles long, flowing west to Lake Michigan
from its beginnings in Hillsdale and Jackson Counties. The Kalamazoo River
Watershed drains nearly 2,200 square miles and contains 188 miles of
tributary and hundreds of inland lakes. Evidence suggests that the river may
have been used continuously for more than 10,000 years, perhaps the first
documented group of people to use it was the Potawatomi Nation.

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 *Map Source:
Kalamazoo River
Watershed
Council

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Project Background

Battle Creek Flood of 1947

In order to avoid future flooding, the city
embarked on a flood-control program in which
the US Army Corps of Engineers encased the
Kalamazoo River channel in cement and chain
link fence and altered the historic location of
the river channel.

Monroe Street Dam

This dam was constructed in 1892 for
hydropower.
1955 2020
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Project Background Continued:
• While downtown flooding ceased with construction of the concrete river channel in
1962, environmental and cultural aspects of this area were destroyed. This includes
wildlife, fish habitats and the heart of the historic community known has the bottoms
that displaced hundreds of minorities and economically disadvantaged households. This
area that had neighborhoods, a school, and local businesses was removed from the
community. In its place became a new river concrete channel, a state business highway
with surrounding commercial and manufacturing district for businesses.
• Fast-forward to the present day the concrete river channel and the surrounding
business district have seen a recent closing of these manufacturing business and
commercial business too. This area that was once seen as thriving has become
blighted and underutilized.

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 Kalamazoo River Restoration
Project Current Status
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is wrapping up a 3-year hydrologic
modeling study that should be completed by June of 2024.
• In 2022, Battle Creek Unlimited received a $13 million dollar grant
from the State of Michigan for property accusation, demolitions,
engineering and environmental assessments for this project.
• Battle Creek Unlimited hired an Urban Planner to oversee this
project in March 2023.
• Oct. 2023: applied to Small and Disadvantaged Communities Army
Corps Grant
• Jan. 2024: BCU worked with City of Battle Creek and stakeholders
and submitted grants for the DNR Habitat Restoration Grant and
EGLE Dam Risk Reduction Grant for a design and pre-engineering
study. (Awarded both Grants in the Summer of 2024)
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 Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA)

The Water Resources Development Act is a

comprehensive legislative package that provides for the
conversation and development of water and related
resources. It authorizes the Secretary of the Army,
through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil
Works, to conduct studies, construct projects and
research activities that can lead to the improvement of
rivers and harbors of the United States.

WRDA is strictly authorizing legislation; it does not

include funding. The funding of WRDA-authorized
studies and projects is provided separately through the
annual Energy and Water Development
appropriations process and, at times,
through supplemental appropriations.
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Project partners
US Army Corp of Engineers, Battle Creek Unlimited, City of Battle
Creek, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fish Division,
Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Michigan Department of
Transportation, Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes and
Environment, Battle Creek Whitewater INC., Calhoun County of
Community Development, Calhoun Conservation District and
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.

Legislative support
US Senator Peters, US Senator Slotkin, Former US Senator
Stabenow, US Representative Bill Huizenga, MI State Senator
Thomas A. Albert, and MI State Representative Steve Frisbie.

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 Timeline Est.
Project received WRDA
Acquisition of 60 + acres of Submitted grants Michigan DNR
BCU received a $13 and EGLE Grants for River Authorization in Jan.
Million State of Michigan surrounding businesses in the 2025. Need Federal
river restoration area. With Restoration Project. (Update from
Grant for this Restoration April/May 2024 City of BC Funding for this
Graphic Packaging property Restoration Project.
Project for accusation, anticipated in Spring of 2025. received $525k in funding from
demolitions, engineering both agencies) Total project amount
and environmental TBD with local match
assessments for this required.
project

2022 2023 2023 2024 2024 2024 2025

City was awarded funding,

selected a consultant to start
comprehensive feasibility/design
and pre-engineering for the River
Applied for Grant Federal Funding Hydrologic Study completed in Restoration Project and Dam
Section 165. Up to $10 Million in Sept. of 2024 from US Army Removal. This would include
funding no match required. Corps of Engineering. Showed this input from the community/public
project is feasible from their and this would take place over
hydrologic model. the following 2 years.

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 Summary

This is a very important project

for the redevelopment of our
downtown assets and provide
a vital opportunity to improve
the downtown environment,
expand recreation
opportunities, provide mix use
development and housing
opportunities. It would
promote BCU’s goals to
continue to bring vibrancy and
prosperity to the Battle Creek *Pictures are of Milwaukee Area
Community. River Restoration Projects.
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 Thank You
If you would like to be engaged in this project or want
more information, please reach out to:
Kris Martin
Urban Planner
Battle Creek Unlimited
[email protected]
269-243-1066
www.bcunlimited.org
Project Page:
https://battlecreekmi.gov/985/Kalamazoo-River-
Naturalization
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