Huron River

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.

After decades of local effort, the Environmental Protection Agency has designated the Gelman plume in Ann Arbor and Scio Township as a Superfund Site. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Invasive plants are not just a backyard nuisance—they’re one of the biggest drivers of long-term habitat loss in the Huron River Watershed. Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor have become a local model for tackling the problem through coordinated stewardship and public engagement. WEMU's David Fair found out what they’re doing with Natural Areas Specialist, Steven Parrish.

Local advocates for protecting the Huron River are raising concerns about the potential environmental impact of a proposed University of Michigan–Los Alamos computational facility planned along the riverfront in Ypsilanti Township. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

When it comes to our local environment, 2025 has been a year of progress and one with significant and growing challenges. Environmental aspirations are being worked into place in almost direct opposition to changing federal priorities and policies. WEMU's David Fair reflected on 2025 in a conversation with Beth Gibbons, the Director of the Washtenaw County Resiliency Office.

Ann Arbor is looking at something "blue" to expand its protection of drinking and other water sources. The new Bluebelt program will work in concert with the Greenbelt land preservation program to expand water protections. WEMU's David Fair was joined by City of Ann Arbor Land Acquisition Specialist, Rosie Pahl Donaldson, to discuss the goals of the program.