Disclaimer: The materials included on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the coalition, but are provided to ensure readers have access to the broad range of information available regarding the Consumers Dams.
Michigan’s rivers, fisheries, and communities are shaped—often constrained—by the aging Consumers Energy hydroelectric dams. This page brings together key scientific research, agency resources, and ecological analyses to help readers understand how dams affect water quality, fish passage, habitat connectivity, and the long‑term health of our watersheds. Whether you’re looking for peer‑reviewed studies, summaries of ecological impacts, or insights into dam removal outcomes, the sections below provide a clear, evidence‑based foundation for informed decision‑making.
Section Titles
Ecological Impacts of Dams – Key Sources
Freshwater Mussel Assemblages and Dam Impacts
- URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/3/119
- Type: Scientific Journal Paper
- Citation: Barnett, S. E., & Woolnough, D. A. (2021). Variation in Assemblages of Freshwater Mussels Downstream of Dams and Dam Removals in the Lake Michigan Basin, Michigan, USA. Diversity, 13(3), 119.
- Focus: Mussel population changes associated with dams in the Lake Michigan watershed.
Ecological Impacts of Dam Removal
- URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s002670010189
- Type: Scientific Journal Paper
- Citation: Bednarek, A. T. (2001). Undamming rivers: a review of the ecological impacts of dam removal. Environmental Management, 27(6), 803–814.
- Focus: Comprehensive review of ecological outcomes following dam removal.
Habitat and Water Impacts of Dams (West Coast)
- URL: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/endangered-species-conservation/how-dams-affect-water-and-habitat-west-coast
- Type: Webpage
- Source: NOAA
- Focus: How dams alter water quality, habitat conditions, and fish passage on the U.S. West Coast.
Long-Term Effects of Dam Removal on Macroinvertebrates
- URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/rra.1540
- Type: Scientific Journal Paper
- Citation: Hansen, J. F., & Hayes, D. B. (2012). Long-term implications of dam removal for macroinvertebrate communities in Michigan and Wisconsin rivers, United States. River Research and Applications, 28(9), 1540–1550.
- Focus: Long-term ecological responses of macroinvertebrate communities after dam removal.
Effects of Dams on Fish Assemblages
- URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/rra.1356
- Type: Scientific Journal Paper
- Citation: Wang, L., Infante, D., Lyons, J., Stewart, J., & Cooper, A. (2011). Effects of dams in river networks on fish assemblages in non-impoundment sections of rivers in Michigan and Wisconsin, USA. River Research and Applications, 27(4), 473–487.
- Focus: How dams influence fish communities even in river sections not directly impounded.
Additional Dam Removal & River Restoration Resources
Boardman (Brown Bridge) Dam Removal Project
- URL: https://interfluve.com/2020/brown-bridge-dam-removal/?portfolioCats=81
- Type: Webpage
- Source: Interfluve Consulting Company
- Focus: Overview of the Brown Bridge/Boardman River dam removal project.
Swan Creek Dam (Kalamazoo) Removal
- URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGYZzxe__fc
- Type: Video
- Source: Iowa PBS
- Focus: Documentation of the Swan Creek Dam removal in Kalamazoo.
Case Studies on Dam Removal Projects
- URL: https://americanrivers.box.com/s/s6wro3g9i3brrngnj6t7mihjaaoc34zj
- Type: Report
- Source: Headwaters Economics
- Focus: Case studies examining economic and community outcomes of dam removal.
Hedonic Study of New England Dam Removals
- URL: https://americanrivers.app.box.com/s/4u5w07p4uj65muzwg1oqmgpr7pcebuyn
- Type: Scientific Journal Paper
- Citation: Guilfoos, T., & Walsh, J. (2023). A hedonic study of New England dam removals. Ecological Economics, 203, 107624.
- Focus: Economic analysis of property value impacts associated with dam removals in New England.
Boardman River – A River Reborn
- URL: https://www.rivercare.org/project/boardman-river/a-river-reborn/
- Type: Webpage
- Source: Conservation Resource Alliance
- Focus: Overview of the Boardman River restoration and dam removal initiative.
Boardman–Ottaway River Project Report
- URL: https://www.rivercare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Boardman-Ottaway-Report.pdf
- Type: Pamphlet
- Source: Conservation Resource Alliance
- Focus: Summary of the Boardman–Ottaway River restoration project.
History and Impacts Consumers Energy's Dams
Tippy Dam – Tunk Hole Restoration Story Map
- URL: https://www.tu.org/magazine/science/new-story-map-highlights-tippy-dam-project-in-mich/
- Type: Magazine Article
- Source: Michigan Trout Unlimited
- Focus: TU feature on restoration work at Tunk Hole downstream of Tippy Dam.
Water Temperature Analysis – North Branch Au Sable
- URL: https://www.michigandnr.com/PUBLICATIONS/pdfs/DNRFishLibrary/FisheriesReports/FR047.pdf
- Type: Report
- Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Focus: Water temperature study for the North Branch Au Sable River.
Muskegon River Watershed Assessment
- URL: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/PUBLICATIONS/PDFS/ifr/ifrlibra/Special/Reports/sr19.pdf
- Type: Report
- Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Focus: Comprehensive watershed assessment of the Muskegon River.
Tippy Dam Recreation Area – Management Plan
- URL: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/PRD/MgtPlans-archive/TippyDam_GMP.pdf?rev=f400230ab660446d8eb2234c504c56ca&hash=711FB9980B95B1D4C9FBE8F542DAAC1E
- Type: Document
- Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Focus: MDNR management plan for the Tippy Dam Recreation Area.
Au Sable River – General Information
- URL: https://rivers.gov/river/ausable
- Type: Webpage
- Source: National Wild and Scenic Rivers
- Focus: Overview and designation information for the Au Sable River.
Future of Hydroelectric Power in Michigan
- URL: https://www.consumersenergy.com/about-us/electric-generation/renewables/hydroelectric/hydro-future
- Type: Webpage
- Source: Consumers Energy
- Focus: Consumers Energy’s outlook and planning for Michigan’s hydroelectric fleet.
Consumers Energy Hydropower Projects Sale – Risks and Concerns
- URL: https://hydroreform.org/2025/07/consumers-energy-hydropower-projects-sale-perils-and-pitfalls/
- Type: Webpage
- Source: Hydropower Reform Coalition
- Focus: Analysis of risks and pitfalls associated with the proposed sale of Consumers Energy’s hydropower projects.
Consumers Selling Michigan Dams – Paying Double for Power
- URL: https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/consumers-selling-michigan-dams-paying-double-for-power-cheapest-route/
- Type: Article
- Source: Bridge Michigan
- Focus: Reporting on Consumers Energy’s plan to sell dams and the resulting power cost implications.
Consumers Energy Would Pay Double for Hydropower Under Dam Deal
- URL: https://www.mlive.com/environment/2025/11/consumers-energy-would-pay-double-for-hydro-power-under-dam-deal.html
- Type: Article
- Source: MLive
- Focus: Coverage of projected hydropower cost increases tied to the dam sale agreement.
Opposition Summary – Consumers Energy Dam Sale
- URL: https://michigansteelheaders.org/images/pdffiles/2025_August_MHRC_CE_Sale_Opposition_Summary.pdf
- Type: Report
- Source: Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition
- Focus: Summary of concerns and opposition to the proposed sale of Consumers Energy’s dams.
Consumers Energy Plans to Sell 13 Hydropower Projects – At What Cost?
- URL: https://flowwateradvocates.org/consumers-energy-plans-to-sell-13-hydropower-projects-but-at-what-cost/
- Type: Webpage
- Source: Flow Water Advocates
- Focus: Examination of environmental, economic, and community impacts of the proposed dam sale.
Dam Removal Economics & Policy – Reference List
Trout Unlimited Report
- URL: https://americanrivers.box.com/s/g6ejegz1ba0p3qzuk1tfud2n9wgvza6o
- Type: Report
- Source: Trout Unlimited
- Focus: TU report related to dam removal and river restoration (content not specified in link metadata).
Predictive Model of Dam Removal Costs in the U.S.
- URL: https://americanrivers.app.box.com/s/w7l57m7algymir8w2emkr2o5ga0midn4
- Type: Scientific Journal Paper
- Citation: Duda, J. J., Jumani, S., Wieferich, D. J., Tullos, D., McKay, S. K., Randle, T. J., … & Bountry, J. A. (2023). Patterns, drivers, and a predictive model of dam removal cost in the United States. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 11, 1215471.
- Focus: National analysis of dam removal cost drivers and predictive modeling.
Massachusetts Dam Removal Report
- URL: https://americanrivers.app.box.com/s/r2033k4as1abw6a5ptfl6vs9rp2ape24
- Type: Report
- Source: Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game
- Focus: State-level assessment of dam removal and aquatic restoration (specific focus varies by report).
Hedonic Property Value Analysis of Dam Removal
- URL: https://americanrivers.app.box.com/s/zj18xfoa6r3xgwr5n7e2a04fo5sgdkpm
- Type: Scientific Journal Paper
- Citation: Lewis, L. Y., Bohlen, C., & Wilson, S. (2008). Dams, dam removal, and river restoration: A hedonic property value analysis. Contemporary Economic Policy, 26(2), 175–186.
- Focus: Economic impacts of dams and dam removal on surrounding property values.
Estimating the Marginal Cost of Dam Removal
- URL: https://americanrivers.app.box.com/s/ozm8ex65pqefi5zk47ne1tkp1ka15uth
- Type: Scientific Journal Paper
- Citation: Blachly, B., & Uchida, E. (2017). Estimating the marginal cost of dam removal.
- Focus: Economic modeling of marginal costs associated with dam removal projects.
Taxonomy of Dam Removal for Economic Analysis
- URL: https://americanrivers.app.box.com/s/o24wmq2j6nx8v5pm1at2iec477h6iwas
- Type: Scientific Journal Paper
- Citation: Smith, M. G. (2006). Dam removal: a taxonomy with implications for economic analysis. Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education, 134(1), 7.
- Focus: Framework for categorizing dam removals to support economic evaluation.
Dam Removal Guidance & Practitioner Resources – Reference List
National Dam Removal Community of Practice
- URL: https://www.americanrivers.org/national-dam-removal-community-of-practice/
- Type: Webpage
- Source: American Rivers
- Focus: National network supporting collaboration, shared learning, and best practices for dam removal professionals.
Practitioners Guide to Hydropower Dam Removal
- URL: https://www.americanrivers.org/report/the-practitioners-guide-to-hydropower-dam-removal/
- Type: Webpage
- Source: American Rivers
- Focus: Guidance for planning, permitting, and executing hydropower dam removal projects.
Guide to Removing Small Dams
- URL: https://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/NatlDamProjectManagerGuide_06112015.pdf?_gl=1*13g0dht*_gcl_au*MTgxMDI3MDc1NC4xNzY4MjM1MDM1
- Type: Report
- Source: American Rivers
- Focus: Project manager guide outlining processes, considerations, and best practices for removing small dams.
Dam Removal – A Citizen’s Guide to Saving Rivers
- URL: https://www.wisconsinrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Dam-Removal-A-Citizens-Guide-to-Saving-Rivers.pdf
- Type: Report
- Source: Rivers Alliance of Wisconsin & Trout Unlimited
- Focus: Public‑facing guide explaining the benefits, process, and community role in dam removal and river restoration.