FEARING A RELEASE OF SEDIMENTS, MICHIGAN STAGES A DAM REMOVAL

摘要

Learning from past mistakes, engineers in Michigan are trying to perfect the art of dam removal. By anticipating how a release of impounded sediments might affect the Muskegon River, they intend to minimize any negative consequences from the removal this week of the last remnant of Big Rapids Dam, 60 miles north of Grand Rapids. Sediment management is "the number one public issue on this project, other than safety," says James R. Hegarty, project manager at Prein & Newhof, Grand Rapids, engineer for the removal. "The project is designed to be a model for future dam removals. It is one of the Midwest's unique and trend-setting environmental projects," he adds.