Comments on: Not So Gently Down The Stream

By: jack sprague

jack sprague — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:35:41 +0000

The city populace has adapted to the recreation opportunities afforded by the current configuration of the four dams.

New – and potentially uncertain – opportunities can emerge in a reconfigured group of dam structures but this new configuration has fewer proponents than those enjoying the existing facilities.

Action as recommended – whatever that might be – all has a cost component which will be a problem. The infrastructure will require monies that will eat into less physical plant operations elsewhere in the budget. Some group will get less because of action on the dams.

That group will be the problem. It would be easy for a politician to cast the impression of money for the dams as a competitor to some sacred cow funding … and the choice presented as one or the other… I can hear the mooing now.

By: Karen Sidney

Karen Sidney — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:14:20 +0000

I’m curious about the statement in comment 3 “the potential for fresh commercial growth along an otherwise cold, industrial stretch of river”

I thought the only “new land” that would be created was park land. Would removing the dam result in increased land that is not park land?

By: Erica

Erica — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:03:49 +0000

Kris–Gallup would actually not be suitable for rowing, mostly due to the massive amounts of seaweed found there. If you have rowed, you must know that oars and skegs get easily tangled on that, resulting in equipment damage and unsafe conditions for canoes, kayaks, etc if a coxswain loses their steering due to seaweed on the rudder. Also, people keep saying rowing could be moved to Barton, but I don’t see how they are going to find water front space there to put in a dock and store all of the boats that are currently kept at Argo.

By: mr dairy

mr dairy — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:32:54 +0000

This is why I read and contribute to the Chronicle. And why I cancelled my subscription to the News

By: Kris

Kris — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:42:18 +0000

You can look to other dam removal projects to see the benefits of returning water to it’s natural path. Having been a rower in college I can understand the desire to maintain a local place to row, however Gallup or Barton would actually be better areas as the bends in the river above Argo are not desirable.

By: Jonathan E. Lutz

Jonathan E. Lutz — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:52:29 +0000

Facilitation of these meetings is key. Members of the rowing community stand to lose their long-time, self-described “playing field,” but Ann Arbor residents and visitors will gain 27 acres of new park land, improved in-stream and riparian habitat, better fishing opportunities, and the potential for fresh commercial growth along an otherwise cold, industrial stretch of river. But the only voices heard at Wednesday’s meeting were those of rowing supporters. When others following the agenda issued comments, they were routinely shot-down by members of the rowing community. This tit-for-tat won’t result in any form of progress or innovation if the facilitators don’t keep folks focused on the agenda. To the rowers: let the voices of fishermen, paddlers, birdwatchers, walkers, hikers, bicyclists, and nature enthusiasts be heard. The only certainty offered at Wednesday’s meeting was that you will continue to have a place to row, on Argo or elsewhere, and that any transition that is made will be seamless. Consider the river environment, the value of waterfront parklands to your city, and your fellow watermen and women. A solution that benefits the river and the community will inevitably benefit rowers.

By: Dave Fanslow

Dave Fanslow — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:53:34 +0000

I’d also like to see more info about the whitewater park and how the potential designs address the problem of Allen Drain. No one will want to paddle in the filth that comes out of that pipe when water is high, which is when you run whitewater. So the whitewater will either have to be moved upstream or Allen Drain will have to be diverted further downstream.

By: Cheryl Saam

Cheryl Saam — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:18:45 +0000

Nice article. It would be helpful to add information about the hybrid version – mill raceway has portage removed and provides passage for canoes, kayaks and river critters and Argo Dam is replaced with whitewater park. This option keep Argo Pond available for the rowers.