Traverse City Fish Pass

The Traverse City FishPass project is transforming the aging Union Street Dam into a modern fish passage and river restoration system on the Boardman River. Led by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the City of Traverse City, with construction by Spence Brothers, the project combines environmental engineering, hydraulic control, and ecological research to support native fish migration while maintaining invasive species barriers.

Phase 1 focused on demolition, excavation, cofferdam installation, and major site preparation work to establish the foundation for the new system.

The project is currently in Phase 2, which includes structural concrete construction, channel development, and installation of key flow-control infrastructure that will power the FishPass system.

Once complete, the site will become a world-class ecological and educational hub featuring advanced fish monitoring systems, hydraulic controls, restored public spaces, and long-term river research capabilities.