12/18/2025
Spanning 130 miles, the Huron River contains 19 major dams along its main stem. Out of seven dams built in Washtenaw County, six of them were constructed in the early- to mid-20th century for the purpose of providing hydroelectric power for the growing industries along the river, which flows south from its headwaters at Big Lake, near Pontiac, Michigan, to dump into Lake Erie.
Three of those dams have since been decommissioned and sit dormant, their reservoirs serving as recreational areas. The other three still operate at a diminished capacity. Including Washtenaw, the river’s drainage area reaches into seven Michigan counties; the others are Oakland, Livingston, Ingham, Jackson, Wayne and Monroe.
After decades of use, the dams have altered the environment of the river. A report from the Huron River Watershed Council explained, "Although dams can provide some benefits, dams produce severe negative impacts on the rivers they harness. Dams alter a river’s chemical, physical, and biological processes."
After spending three decades collecting data on the ecological impact of those dams, the council has adopted plans and raised money to remove the structures. The council cites sediment buildup that blocks the flow of nutrients, the disruption of natural fish movement and the dissolving of oxygen levels as major issues causing harm.
Read about the six hydroelectric dams in Washtenaw County, their history, their current use and respective cities' plans for the future here: https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/12/decades-old-dams-still-impact-the-huron-river
Writer: Matt Hodges
Photo: Matt Hodges / The Eastern Echo
