If you are a resource professional with an interest in, or knowledge of, dams and their impacts, consider participating in a region-wide workshop on small dam removal in Northern Michigan, hosted and organized by Huron Pines.  The workshop will combine a classroom lecture/discussion session on the first day with full day of field work the following day.

The goal of the workshop is to bring together all of the resource professionals and practitioners working with dams to teach and learn from each other.  The idea for this type of workshop evolved directly from recommendations of our Resource Advisory Group, which identified the need and desire for the conservation community to learn more about dams and their management as a whole. 

The workshop will be held on Wednesday, July 28th and Thursday, July 29th.  Wednesday's discussion will be held at the Ramada Inn of Grayling. Thursday will focus on field-based lessons, taking advantage of the many dams on the Flowing Wells property (above) in the Manistee River watershed, a quick 15 minute drive from Grayling.

From the workshop you can expect to gain:
• A foundation of techniques available during dam removals to focus on sediment movement and aquatic organism passage
• A firm understanding of the regulations and oversight of dams in Michigan
• Knowledge in how to develop a proper partnership and how best to meet each partner’s goals while keeping the project moving forward
• Insight to the general dam removal strategies and beliefs of regional resource professionals
• Real-time field-based exercises in designing dam removal projects and the factors considered.

There is limited space in the workshop. A registration fee of $50 is required.  If you are interested in attending or would like to learn more about the agenda, please contact Patrick Ertel at 989.344.0753 x19. 

Prior to the meeting, a list of items to bring, suggested readings, and final agenda will be provided.  Accommodations can be made at the Grayling Ramada Inn by calling, 989.348.7611, where workshop prices have been secured.  When registering, be sure to mention Huron Pines Small Dams Workshop.

Partial funding for this program is supported by a Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Funding of the Huron Pines Small Dams Program also comes from the Paul H Young, Challenge, and Kalamazoo Valley Chapters of Trout Unlimited.