Dr. Paul Steen

Issues of the Environment

Issues of the Environment: HRWC study shows mussels in Huron River will benefit over time after the Ypsilanti Peninsular Paper Dam is removed

David Fair

Over the summer, the Huron River Watershed Council conducted an extensive survey of freshwater mussels in the Huron River to determine potential impacts when the Peninsular Paper Dam is removed. It found that removing the Pen Dam could release sediment, potentially smothering downstream mussel populations. Once the dam is removed, though, the river will return to a more natural state, benefiting mussel species over time. WEMU's David Fair looked at the research and its implications with Huron River Watershed Council Ecologist Dr. Paul Steen.