Huron River

Ypsilanti Township has approved a 180-day moratorium on any new major electric infrastructure. It’s on the heels of The University of Michigan’s decision to build a high-tech computing center on a parcel next to the Huron River. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

University of Michigan Regent Paul Brown says he opposes the decision to place the proposed Los Alamos computer facility at the Textile Road location in Ypsilanti Township. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Residents in the Middle Huron River Watershed are facing an escalating environmental challenge as warmer summers and severe storm events increasingly trigger harmful cyanobacteria blooms, which threaten recreational water use, local wildlife, and the health of our regional impoundments like Ford Lake. Rebekah Warren discussed the matter and the actions being taken to fight it with Ric Lawson, director of programs for the Huron River Watershed Council.

A creek on the west side of Ann Arbor is being restored to improve the city’s stormwater quality. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

PFAS. Few environmental issues have affected Michigan communities more directly than these so-called "forever chemicals," which have been found in our waterways, groundwater, and drinking water systems across the state. In her first segment as host of "Issues of the Environment," Rebekah Warren was joined by U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. They discussed what local and national actions have been taken and what is needed to prevent further PFAS contamination.

Climate change has brought more unpredictable weather, and that has resulted in more severe storms and more flooding, more dams at risk and that, of course, puts property and lives in danger. Around here, we depend on the Huron River. The Digital Water Lab at the University of Michigan has set a network of real-time sensors to improve water monitoring, flood response and coordination among dam operators. WEMU's David Fair got a lesson in how that works in a conversation with U-M Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Branko Kerkez.

The expansion of Ann Arbor’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA)’s boundary to the Huron River is expected to benefit the city’s northern corridors. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Today is Earth Day. The theme for Earth Day 2026 is "Our Power, Our Planet." To mark the occasion, we take a look at the power of natural river flow and the benefits and consequences of man-made dams. There are some legislative reforms under consideration in Lansing, and, in the meantime, there are a number of dams in Washtenaw County in different states of functionality. Huron River Watershed Council executive director Rebecca Esselman joined WEMU's David Fair for a look at where the power of policy and funding will lead us in the years ahead.

The Huron River has risen after several days of steady rain this week, increasing flood risk for homes and businesses near the river. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

As more beavers are moving into Dexter’s waterways, local officials are considering numerous options on how to co-exist with them and work around certain dilemmas. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.