Ice Mountain® employees, Michigan volunteers remove rock dams from Twin Creek to improve more natural water flow
Photo credit: Cathie Crew, Big Rapids Pioneer
Ice Mountain® 100% Natural Spring Water employees joined staff and volunteers from the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, City of Evart, Dan Vos Construction, Wirth Construction, Arcadis, Advanced Ecological Management and Ventra to remove a series of 11 man-made rock dams from Twin Creek at the mouth of the Muskegon River in Evart, Michigan in early August 2023.
Removing the almost half-mile stretch of rock dams helped return a natural flow to Twin Creek, a cold-water tributary of Michigan’s Muskegon River, the second longest river in the state.
The dams were obstacles for fish to easily move upstream along with causing erosional and sedimentation problems in Twin Creek. Rocks have now been redistributed, mostly by hand, to mimic the way nature intended. Some rocks were placed along areas of the creek to help stabilize the creek banks and provide natural areas for fish to rest as they travel upstream.
“Tributaries, like Twin Creek, have intrinsic value to the health of the Muskegon River and the entire 2,700 square mile watershed, especially when we undertake projects like this that reconnect the creek to its river,” said Arlene Anderson-Vincent, Natural Resource Manager for Ice Mountain®. “It is a holistic approach to water quality and watershed health, which we are committed to as a water-reliant business. We appreciate the groups that are working together to get this done and make a difference.”
Photo credit: Cathie Crew, Big Rapids Pioneer
Volunteers divided into teams and worked in different areas of the creek. The teams removed rocks from the center of the creek to the outer edges and distributed them throughout the stream channel.
“Our abundant water resources really define Evart as a community, and the Muskegon River is the heart of it all,” said Don Duncan, City of Evart. “We are committed to partnerships like the one we have with MRWA, Ice Mountain®, and others, to make sure the river and its local tributaries, like Twin Creek, are source of enjoyment, recreation, and life for ecosystems and our community.”
Rock dam removal has gained momentum, in Michigan and nationally.
“By removing these rock dams and restoring Twin Creek’s natural flow as it nears and enters the Muskegon River, our team of volunteers is nurturing nature’s ability to live its best life,” said Scott Faulkner, Executive Director, Muskegon River Watershed Assembly. “The natural flow of our creeks, streams, and rivers is vital to their ability to support healthy fish populations, including trout, as well as other wildlife, and to the enjoyment people experience when engaged in nature near the Twin Creek. This is conservation in action. It’s just the kind of partnership-driven, community-and nature-focused project MRWA exists to bring to fruition.”
Organized by MRWA and the City of Evart, the “Rock Out” project, as it was called, took the 17 volunteers about four hours to complete. Volunteers enjoyed lunch, courtesy of Ice Mountain. The work was permitted through Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Ice Mountain donated $10,000 to the project.
Photo credit: Cathie Crew, Big Rapids Pioneer
