Dead River/Hoist Dam, Marquette County, Michigan

The Challenge

The Upper Peninsula Power Company operates the Hoist powerhouse as part of the Dead River Hydroelectric Project, located on the Dead River west of Marquette, Michigan. On June 30, 1997, a penstock above the powerhouse failed and released flows of up to 3,000 cfs. Sandy soils around the powerhouse and adjacent areas were eroded and carried into the Dead River. After the penstock failure, the intake structure gate was closed and the reach downstream was left dewatered and blanketed by a layer of sand that filled most of the channel. The affected river reach below the Hoist powerhouse was about 2,500 feet long and contained a popular brown trout fishery.

Steve Gough supervised the assessment of damage after this incident and directed extensive restoration efforts that included removing excess sand in the dewatered reach, planning and analysis necessary for control of reservoir levels, hydraulics and sediment transport work to flush remaining sand from the reach, and the addition of woody structure and boulders to restore and maintain fish habitat.

Placement of boulders and habitat elements was carefully designed and executed to ensure that the natural appearance of this popular recreational reach would be restored.  Flow has also been restored after repair of the dam. Sand was successfully flushed from the reach and habitat elements have functioned flawlessly.

Unfortunately, this reach was heavily impacted by the failure of an upstream reservoir dam in 2003. Information and updates available here.

Clients/Cooperators

The Upper Peninsula Power Company, Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality and Natural Resources and Trout Unlimited.