Dam Removal

https://wisconsinrivers.org/little-wolf-river-paddle-2026/

Manawa: Paddle the Little Wolf River with us on June 28

On: June 11, 2026

In: Dam Removal, flooding, PFAS, Recreation

Manawa: Paddle the Little Wolf River with us on June 28

River Alliance of Wisconsin welcomes paddlers to join us on the Little Wolf River near Manawa, WI for a recreational opportunity to experience a free-flowing Little Wolf after the destruction of a dam after a storm and flood in 2024.

Join us on the Little Wolf River

On Sunday, June 28, we will meet up at 10 a.m. at a riverside location north of Manawa, Wisconsin. Location details will be sent to event registrants by email. Bring your own boat, and we will assist with a vehicle shuttle. A boxed lunch will be provided. Weather updates or an event cancellation will be shared with registrants the morning of the event by email. There is no rain date for this paddle.

Why paddle the Little Wolf

Paddling a free-flowing Little Wolf River is a significant action. There has been a millpond in Manawa since the 1870s when settlers dammed the river for the logging industry, and the dam was rebuilt in 1920s as a small hydropower dam. The segment of the river hasn’t flowed freely in 150 years.

On July 5 2024, heavy rains impacted the land around the Manawa Dam. The banks eroded, the flooded millpond destroyed part of the dam, and areas of the city including the annual Mid-Western Rodeo had to be evacuated. Since then, the Manawa community and their neighbors have debated whether to repair, rebuild, or remove the Manawa Dam, which had structural deficiencies even prior to the flood.

A feasibility study by the Cedar Corporation emphasized that repair was not feasible, replacement would cost $8.4 million, and removing the remnants of the dam and restoring the shoreline could cost as little as $700,000. From a cost perspective, the solution is clear. But what is harder to measure is the ecological and recreational value of the Little Wolf River.

That’s why we hope you’ll join us to see how the river has returned to a free-flowing state. We can witness the return of plants on its banks, scout for native mussels, and talk about what a river could do for the community’s future flood resilience in a changing climate. Bonus: we’ll get ice cream at the end of the trip!

This message is made possible by generous donors who believe people have the power to protect and restore water. Subscribe to our Word on the Stream email newsletter to receive stories, action alerts and event invitations in your inbox. Support our work with your contribution today.

The post Manawa: Paddle the Little Wolf River with us on June 28 appeared first on River Alliance of WI.

https://wisconsinrivers.org/little-wolf-paddle-2026/

Statewide water conference spotlights river protection victories

On: February 4, 2026

In: climate resilience, Dam Removal, Local Groups, Recreation

Statewide water conference spotlights river protection victories

This year’s Lakes and Rivers Convention in Stevens Point April 15-17 includes a stream of River Talks we think will inspire and inform river and clean water advocates.

The Lakes and Rivers Convention is ideal for folks who do conservation work, who are vocal advocates for waterways, who are involved in restoration efforts and local groups. The conference is a time to learn about the big picture of conservation, to connect with government/industry leaders and boots-on-the-ground conservation efforts, and who are leaders of lake districts.

River Alliance is involved because all waters are connected. Understanding the interconnections of the work of lake districts, river groups, the DNR, and clean water researchers is fundamental to making progress in conservation, balancing water use needs, fighting invasive species and pollution, and forming solid relationships with each other.

River Talks on Thursday

The conference has a very deep bench of fantastic experts sharing their knowledge. Explore the full agenda on the Water Week website. One track of topics will be River Talks that focus on the art, science and history of protecting rivers. These highlights will also be a part of the convention’s virtual program.

Writers on Rivers: A Sharing of Some of the Best Essays from Rivers as Large as the Mississippi to as Small as Childhood Creeks

Speaker: John Bates, author

From Mark Twain and Henry David Thoreau to Aldo Leopold to Ann Zwinger, Terry Tempest Williams, and Barry Lopez, writers have waxed eloquent about their love of rivers. Come sit back and let your imagination flow along the waters our finest writers have so brilliantly written about.

Regulation Works ; 50 years of water quality progress in the Wisconsin River Watershed

Speaker: Bob Martini, retired Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Beginning in 1976, we identified and addressed the main water quality problems in the Wis River Basin, including pollution from paper mills and cities, acid rain impacts on lakes, groundwater pollution in the Central Sands, and the impacts of dams on the “Hardest Working River in America”. We learned that properly designed regulation restores the environment, protects the public interest, AND can actually enhance local economies while avoiding the myth of economic disaster caused by environmental regulation.

Integrating Multi-Benefit Floodplain Restoration and Nutrient Management: A Decision-Support Framework for River Systems

Floodplain restoration offers a nature-based solution to address biodiversity loss, flood risk, and water quality degradation in Wisconsin’s river systems. This work presents an integrated framework using EcoFIP and NutriSink tools to identify and prioritize multi-benefit rehabilitation projects. Case studies from the Wabash River demonstrate that optimal restoration sites are not always downstream, emphasizing the need for spatially nuanced planning. Together, these tools provide a scalable approach for watershed managers in Wisconsin to target interventions that maximize ecological and water quality benefits, supporting efforts to mitigate nutrient pollution and restore riverine function.

What Is a River?

Speaker: Timothy Bauer of Miles Paddled
Most of us know what rivers do — they flow from one place to another, transporting sediment and reshaping landscapes along the way. They provide fresh drinking water and power dams to generate electricity. Historically, rivers allowed for navigational travel, commercial trade, and borders to boundaries. But what is a river? Are rivers natural resources to serve our convenience and contrivances, or do rivers have sovereignty? Like lakes, rivers are living systems, but are they alive like butterflies and grizzly bears — are they alive like you and me? Come join author and paddler, Timothy Bauer, on a playful but provocative exploration of the metaphysics and mischief of what a river is, and maybe offer your own observation, favorite song, or metaphor along the way!

Protecting Paradise in the Driftless: How the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Came to Be

Speaker: Marcy West, author and Director of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve

In the heart of Wisconsin’s beautiful Driftless Area lies an 8,600-acre National Natural Landmark—The Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Its steep ravines, rich forests, and crooked river are enjoyed by thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year. “Protecting Paradise in the Driftless: How the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Came to Be”, published in 2024, chronicles why the Kickapoo River still runs free through the Driftless. Author Marcy West will highlight key components from the story, including the innovative preservation and ecological journey from grassroots activism to a unique Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Wisconsin and the Ho-Chunk Nation. West will offer your audience an insider’s perspective on the Reserve’s founding, entertain with anecdotes as an unconventional bureaucrat, and provide real world examples of how to earn community support for whichever lake or river conference attendees consider their piece of Paradise.

Other river-centered highlights

Wednesday

Getting to Know Your Dam: The Who, What, When and How about Dams and Their Waterway Interests

Speakers: Uriah Monday, WDNR; Ellen Voss, River Alliance of Wisconsin; Peter Jensen, Eagle Spring Lake Management District; Keifer Sroka, Adams County Land & Water Department

This workshop is designed for dam owners/operators and those with riparian interests/stakeholders on waterways controlled or impounded by a dam. Key topics discussed will include the responsibilities and liabilities of owning or operating a dam; understanding the basic laws and regulations involving water control structures; and a review of reference tools and training relating to dams.

Thursday

Introduction to Lake River and Watershed Associations

Speakers: Sara Windjue, Extension Lakes, UW-Stevens Point; Laura MacFarland, WI Department of Natural Resources; Johnson Bridgwater, River Alliance of Wisconsin; and Dave Quady, Sand Lake Association

Are you a new board member of a lake, river or watershed association? Do you have questions about what it means to be a qualified lake association? Join us for an introduction to non-profit associations and learn about board structure, voting, membership, Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and advocacy.

Friday

Confluence luncheon

Speaker: Luke Zahm

Luke Zahm, host of the PBS Emmy® Award-winning TV series, Wisconsin Foodie, and co-owner and chef at Viroqua’s Driftless Cafe will lead this full-group session and help us think about how our food and water resources are connected. Just like a home-cooked meal, this session is a time to slow down, share experiences, and find commonality. ***virtual access available

The 2026 Lakes & Rivers Convention is made possible by the statewide Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership which joins science, education, and citizens to empower people to work together to care for our waters. Since its genesis in the early 1970s, this partnership has been recognized as a national model of collaboration. Explore the Water Week website.

The post Statewide water conference spotlights river protection victories appeared first on River Alliance of WI.

https://wisconsinrivers.org/lakes-and-rivers-convention-2026/

Scouting for native mussels on the Chippewa River

On: August 31, 2025

In: Dam Removal

A group of paddlers stand together for a photo on the edge of the Chippewa River

On Tuesday, August 26, paddlers gathered at the edge of the Chippewa River west of downtown Chippewa Falls to look for native mussels. It was more than just a beautiful day for a river trip. We had a good reason to gather there.

First, some background. In September 2023, the unfortunate combination of drought and hydropower dams reduced Wisconsin’s namesake river to a proverbial trickle below the last dam and led to the worst-case scenario for the river’s most vulnerable species: native freshwater mussels. Volunteers got organized and went to the Lower Wisconsin River to find stranded mussels along the river banks and move them into deeper water. Their actions may have saved thousands of these bivalve mollusks that do tremendous things for our water quality, including filtering polluted water and contributing to our rivers’ interrelated ecosystems and food chain.

A hand holds a native mussel Because native mussels are so important to Wisconsin, we organized a paddle trip to find them in one of Wisconsin’s other big rivers. Like the Wisconsin River, the Chippewa hosts many native species and is also highly regulated by hydro dam operations. For the trip, we brought along experts who know native mussels and this river very well. Experts included Lisie Kitchel (WDNR Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation and aquatic ecologist), Jesse Weinzinger (WDNR aquatic zoologist), and Bre Klockzien (Citizen Science and Aquatics Coordinator with Beaver Creek Reserve).

First, we gathered at the shore of the river to learn more about mussels, how to identify them, and how to inspect them in a way that doesn’t cause harm. And because some of our experts had already done surveys of this river, they knew the good spots where we would be most likely to find mussels in the river.

Paddlers wade into the Chippewa River to scout for native mussels We set off in our kayaks and paddle boards and made several stops along the route. During one-on-one and group chats, we had the opportunity to discuss their ecology as well as the environmental threats they face, from water quality issues to hydropower impacts.. Some people found mussels right away. Others used tools like GoPros and bathyscopes to explore the underwater surface. Eventually, we all found some and got good skills for identifying mussels of all shapes and sizes.

In true River Rat style, we went out afterwards for food and drinks and talked a lot about why we love Wisconsin rivers. Everyone who participated wanted to know what more they could do to protect these delicate species and how they could get involved as volunteers to rescue native mussels the next time a drought or water shortage occurs due to hydroelectric dams.

Thanks to our experts for being so resourceful on our paddle trip down the Chippewa! To learn about our next paddle adventure, sign up for Word on the Stream email newsletters.

Speakers:

Lisie Kitchel works in the WDNR Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation. She trained as an aquatic ecologist and spends most of her time working with our native mussels (clams) throughout the lakes, rivers, and streams of the state. She loves ‘enlightening’ folks to the fascinating world of the freshwater mussel in addition to chasing mussels around the waters of Wisconsin.

Jesse Weinzinger is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Zoologist. He helps lead the development, evaluation, and implementation of statewide native nongame aquatic species inventory, monitoring, status assessment, and mapping programs.

Bre Klockzien is the Citizen Science and Aquatics Coordinator with Beaver Creek Reserve. She specializes in citizen science programs such as aquatic invasive species, freshwater mussel research and monitoring, lake ecology, acoustic bat monitoring, and multiple avian focused programs.

Ellen Voss is the Climate Resilience Director with River Alliance of Wisconsin. Her work focuses on dam removal, hydropower reform, and nature-based solutions.

Paddlers travel down the Chippewa River

The post Scouting for native mussels on the Chippewa River appeared first on River Alliance of WI.

https://wisconsinrivers.org/scouting-for-mussels-chippewa-river/

Scouting for native mussels on the Chippewa River

On: August 31, 2025

In: Dam Removal

A group of paddlers stand together for a photo on the edge of the Chippewa River

Thanks to our experts for being so resourceful on our paddle trip down the Chippewa! To learn about our next paddle adventure, sign up for Word on the Stream email newsletters.

Speakers:

Ellen Voss is the Climate Resilience Director with River Alliance of Wisconsin. Her work focuses on dam removal, hydropower reform, and nature-based solutions.

Paddlers travel down the Chippewa River

The post Scouting for native mussels on the Chippewa River appeared first on River Alliance of WI.

https://wisconsinrivers.org/scouting-for-mussels-chippewa-river/

Pine River to be restored at end of hydroelectric dam’s federal license

On: October 23, 2024

In: Dam Removal

Pine River to be restored at end of hydroelectric dam’s federal license

As a River Alliance supporter, you may recall the long, drawn-out saga of the hydroelectric dam on the Pine River in Florence County. A new settlement agreement has been reached between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and WE Energies. WE Energies will permanently cease electric generating activities at the Pine Project as of July 1, 2038.

While we are grateful to the Michigan DNR and Michigan Attorney General for litigating this case, litigation should not have been necessary because this dam should have been removed in 2025 as stipulated in the 1997 Wilderness Shores Settlement Agreement.

In a press release in 2000, River Alliance provided this explanation of the Pine Dam Project: “This dam is slated for removal through a landmark federal hydropower relicensing agreement in the Menominee River Basin. The agreement has been called “a model for the nation” by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. Wisconsin Electric has agreed to remove the 43-foot high Pine Dam when its license expires in 25 years. Removal of this dam will restore this state-designated wild river to free-flowing conditions, including uncovering two eight-foot and one 12-foot waterfall. In addition, a half-mile of rapids and high-quality trout habitat will be restored. The River Alliance was the lead citizen group in Wisconsin involved in this unprecedented relicensing process.”

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt speaks at Pine Dam

We know the work to protect our waters is never ending, and results often take time. This case, unfortunately, is one of many examples of why our organization and others must be prepared to advocate for decades when needed. On hearing this news, former River Alliance Executive Director Todd Ambs aptly stated, “Hard to believe that this resolution will come more than a quarter of a century after Sara Johnson [River Alliance’s first Executive Director, who passed away in 2024] led the effort for the River Alliance to reach this agreement and that the Pine Dam will finally be removed more than a decade after she left us. We are only here for a short time, but we can make an impact that lasts far longer.”

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt stands with River Alliance's first director Sara Johnson

2038 feels like a long time from now, but in just four years (2028) WE Energies will need to initiate the license surrender process consistent with the Wilderness Shores Settlement Agreement. This process includes a detailed decommissioning plan with a surrender application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Pine Dam, located in Florence, Wisconsin, by 2032 and to cease hydropower generation and remove the dam no sooner than July 1, 2038. This settlement enforces the intent of the Wilderness Shores Settlement Agreement for removal of Pine Dam, albeit at a later date.

River Alliance will continue to work with all of the parties involved to ensure the new settlement is followed. This extended timeframe gives Florence County time to plan for the changes and opportunities dam removal can bring to the local economy. For many years, local advocates have proposed showcasing the Pine River and its waterfalls as a tourist destination. The section between the rapids above LaSalle Falls to the end of the gorge rapids below the triple drops of Breakwater Falls is the single most dramatic stretch of river topography in the entire Midwest. It is an incredible jewel, a unique, spectacular natural wonder featuring six waterfalls, two rock-walled gorges, and five sets of major rapids. We encourage the community to see the free-flowing river as an aesthetic and economic asset and spend this time strategically planning for the future.

Background on the Wilderness Shores Settlement Agreement and Timeline of Events

The Wilderness Shores Settlement Agreement (WSSA) was signed on February 10, 1997, after negotiations began in July 1994. The parties to the settlement included WE Energies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Michigan DNR, Wisconsin DNR, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and the Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition (MHRC).
At the time of the WSSA, WE Energies operated thirteen hydroelectric projects in the Menominee River Basin, located in northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; the WSSA concerned eight of these projects.
Under Section 8.3 of the WSSA, WE agreed to remove the Pine Dam in 2025 as part of the overall mitigation for unavoidable impacts from future operation of the eight hydropower projects.
A consultation process was supposed to begin in 2020 with the resources agencies that are party to the WSSA (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Michigan DNR, and Wisconsin DNR).
River Alliance, the MHRC, and Florence County are ex officio members of the Settlement Implementation Team (WSIT). The implementation team’s responsibility is to “review consultations” on all plans, studies, reports, and submissions relating to the work that is required under the terms of the settlement agreement.
In 2017, WE Energies solicited an opinion from Wisconsin DNR about operating the dam beyond 2025. This interaction was three years prior to the WSSA-stipulated consultation process and did not properly include all of the other resource agencies and ex officio members to the WSSA.
Negotiations, including a dispute resolution process, took place for several years with no agreement reached between the parties.
In 2019, WE Energies requested a license extension from FERC. In a split opinion, a panel of three commissioners granted an extension until 2040. The FERC opinion stated, “…the parties to the settlement retain the ability to seek to enforce the terms of the agreement in court…”
Michigan DNR filed a lawsuit against WE Energies in 2021 for breaching the WSSA. WE Energies tried to get the case dismissed and moved to a different county. Both the trial court and subsequent court of appeals denied both of these motions.
On September 20, 2024, Michigan DNR and WE Energies settled the case, with WE Energies agreeing to permanently cease electric generating activities at the Pine Project as of July 1, 2038.

Given this history, River Alliance, MHRC, and the resource agencies must remain vigilant to ensure that the terms of this 2024 settlement agreement are fully implemented.

This message is made possible by generous donors who believe people have the power to protect and restore water. Support our work with your contribution today.

The post Pine River to be restored at end of hydroelectric dam’s federal license appeared first on River Alliance of WI.

https://wisconsinrivers.org/pine-dam-settlement-2024/

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

When a Dam Comes Down: Removal of dams allows fish passage and habitat restoration

On: October 15, 2020

In: Age of Nature, Dam Removal, dams, fish, Fish, Birds and Animals, Habitat Restoration, infrastructure, Latest News, Lorraine Boissoneault, New York, News, Recreation, Tourism and Culture

When a Dam Comes Down: Removal of dams allows fish passage and habitat restoration

This article is published in conjunction with PBS’s “The Age of Nature” series which begins airing on Oct. 14.

Join Great Lakes Now‘s “Watch Party: Damming Decisions – A discussion about dam removals and what they mean for the environment” on Facebook on Monday, Oct.