I Speak for the Fish is a column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit PBS. Check out her previous columns.
There’s a fish project in Northern Michigan that is exciting researchers from around the world.
It took 20 years of planning, a couple years of litigation and a few years regrouping after a global pandemic for construction to begin on FishPass in Traverse City, Michigan.
FishPass is replacing the Union Street dam which is the last barrier between Lake Michigan and the Boardman-Ottawa River. The new FishPass barrier will have the ability to sort and selectively pass desirable fish while blocking harmful invaders like sea lamprey.
No passing zone
Limiting access for specific fish species is not a new concept. There are a variety of methods that have been proven to work and are currently used.
FishPass is unique in that it aims to incorporate multiple established methods in addition to new technologies.
Fish deterrents work on a simple premise: create an environment that a species doesn’t like, so they avoid the area. It doesn’t necessarily take a lot to deter a fish. For some, it can be achieved as simply as blowing bubbles.
Fish that prefer calm, quiet water might not be willing to swim through a “wall” or curtain of bubbles. While others might be particularly sensitive to sound, so they tend to avoid areas with loud noises.
The trick to management is determining what each species will or will not tolerate.
That’s where the scientists come in. FishPass is still about a year out from being operational, yet there is already a list of researchers anxious for the opportunity to study and test fish tolerances.
Physical barriers are another way of restricting different species. For example, picture the bars of a prison cell spanning the width of the passageway. The space between the bars determines the size of the fish that can pass through making it pretty easy to separate large fish from small fish.
Another physical barrier requires the fish to swim up and over a wall that extends from the bottom to near the surface. This is easily achieved by most fish but can be very difficult for species like sea lamprey which typically stay near the bottom because they do not have a swim bladder.
Which types of barriers that will be used, and in what order, are part of the ongoing research at the site. The barriers may also be changed depending on the season or as different technologies are developed.
The majority of fish that enter FishPass will have the option to continue upstream. Sea lamprey and steelhead are the only two species the site is committed to stopping.
Any other fish that wants to travel upstream of FishPass can but they will have to work their way through a gauntlet of challenges like an American Ninja Warrior contestant.
Much like the sports entertainment show competitors, fish that fail the challenges are harmlessly looped back to the beginning where they have the option of going back out to Lake Michigan or trying again.
When asked if there was any concern about the fish becoming overly stressed by having to navigate the FishPass obstacle course, Brett Fessel, a river ecologist who works for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, doesn’t think so.
Fessel said when fish run upstream they often have to maneuver around obstacles like fallen tree limbs or navigate shallow rapids. So, the majority should have no problem running the FishPass obstacle course.
Concerns over sea lamprey and steelhead gaining access to the upper river nearly derailed the entire project but ultimately contributed to the development of FishPass.
Opening rivers and minds
When I learned that there were quite a few people opposed to the removal of dams on the Boardman-Ottawa River including the Union Street Dam, I initially assumed they must be property developers. Why else would they be opposed to returning the river to a healthier more natural state?
My assumptions quickly turned into confusion, and then transitioned into understanding while watching the Emmy-nominated documentary The Ottawa, A River Reborn. The film was produced by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
The local residents who were opposed to the dam removals were actually worried about what they perceived as a “loss” of habitat and the corresponding negative impacts to the local animals.
They were not looking to pave their local paradise. Quite the contrary, several specifically voiced concerns for the turtles, frogs and deer.
But, removing dams to restore the natural flow of rivers has proven to be beneficial for native species.
The real issue was change.
The Boardman-Ottawa River had been dammed for more than half a century. Multiple dams along the river had created a series of small, manmade ponds which the locals had come to enjoy.
Removing the dams would eliminate the ponds. Those in opposition viewed this as a terrible and unnecessary loss for themselves and the animals that frequented the watering holes.
But the water wasn’t going away, it would just change how it traveled through the area. Rather than being held back and quieted into ponds, now it would flow freely. And not only would the turtles, frogs and deer still use it but Brett Fessel said the diversity of species visiting naturally flowing rivers is much higher than manmade ponds.
Increased diversity is one of the big benefits of naturalizing rivers. Another great film that highlights this is, How Wolves Change Rivers, which chronicles how the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park had a positive cascading effect that included the rivers.
Ironically, increased diversity was one of the sticking points for the opposition who were concerned that invasive species like sea lamprey would now gain access to the upper river where lampricide treatments were a legitimate concern.
The ensuing lawsuit was settled in the project’s favor with the stipulation that FishPass not allow the passage of any sea lamprey and additionally would limit steelhead access for the first 10 years.
Initially, the drained ponds were a terrible sight to behold. The giant pits of black, stinky muck seemed to confirm the opposition’s worst fears.
But it didn’t take nature long to rebound.
Embracing change
Ten years after the dam removals, the upper stretches of the Boardman-Ottawa River are thriving.
While the changes in the upper river were initially challenging, it all worked out. It just took a little time.
I have a dog tag necklace that states “without change there would be no butterflies.”
That sentiment sums up the morale of the Boardman-Ottawa River FishPass project that even if change initially feels like a terrible loss, good things can come from it.
I’ve personally been trying to hold onto that belief given the major changes that PBS has been facing. The recent loss of federal support has forced programs like Great Lakes Now to make some deep cuts, and this column is one of the casualties.
Making this my last I Speak for the Fish column.
I’m grateful I had the opportunity to share my passion for the Great Lakes’ underwater realm and thankful for all the support from our loyal readers. For the last four years my goal has been to inspire a greater appreciation for native species and give them a voice.
I hope you all enjoyed the ride as much as I did.
Catch more news at Great Lakes Now:
I Speak for the Fish: Think you’re not to blame for overfishing? Think again.
I Speak for the Fish: The hardest lake sturgeon dive in the Great Lakes
Featured image: Cameraman and professional diver Greg Lashbrook wades into the Boardman River to film construction on Fish pass in Traverse City, Michigan. (Photo Credit: Kathy Johnson/Great Lakes Now)
