A dam near Mesick, Michigan, built in 1867 to power a sawmill and which had begun to deteriorate in recent years, has now been removed using Great Lakes Restoration Funds. Removal of the 20-foot dam restored Wheeler Creek, a tributary of the Manistee River, as cold water trout habitat.

The dam had created the usual problems associated with dams: impaired water quality, increased sedimentation, and segmentation of the riverine habitat. The project cost $246,000 and restored natural conditions in seven miles of creek, providing new habitat for native brook trout.