LANSING, Mich., May 19, 2023 — The Carp River Intake Dam in Marquette and the Republic Dam have received over a million dollars from the Dam Risk Reduction Grant Program authorized by the Michigan Legislature last year. The upper portion of the spillway of the Carp River Intake Dam will be removed, lowering the reservoir an additional 10 feet to reduce the risk to health and habitat and potentially lowering the overall hazard classification of the dam. Funding will also support the removal and subsequent construction of a rock-arch rapids at the Republic Dam, which will be designed to handle flooding events while allowing for river connectivity with a series of step pools. State Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) issued the following statement in support of the grant funding:
“As recent events have shown us, if our dams fail, it can have profound impacts on both our communities and surrounding habitats. These common-sense investments will help safeguard the U.P.’s precious natural resources for us and future generations to enjoy. I will continue to advocate in the Legislature for more funding like this to repair and strengthen our region’s water infrastructure.”