Pigion River (MI) Catastrophe

While we were enjoying the fruits and serene surroundings of the AuSable, something terrible was happening on another Michigan blue ribbon trout stream. I recieved this info via Karen Harrison of the Ausable Anglers and Flygirls. Time to start screaming folks!

From the Traverse City Record-Eagle:
Published: July 05, 2008 09:41 am http://static.cnhi.zope.net/images/icons/printicon.gif http://static.cnhi.zope.net/images/icons/mailicon.gif Forum: Catastrophe on the Pigeon River

By JOHN WALTERS
On June 23 my wife Sue and I went to the Pigeon River to fly fish for trout. We noticed the flow of the river was unusually low and black as oil. Sue asked me, "What is wrong with the river? Something is terribly wrong!"
We knew we could not fish in these conditions and suspected something went terribly wrong at the Song of the Morning Ranch dam upstream. We then drove to an access site upstream of the dam to find normal flows and clear visibility. Our suspicions were sadly correct. When we returned home, I contacted the local Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist, Neal Godby, to report there was a catastrophic problem on the Pigeon River.
This is a mistake the citizens of Michigan and our natural resources cannot afford. This sediment discharge continues to run as black as oil throughout the entire flow of the river and into Mullet Lake. The 60-acre impoundment is full of organic material, called sediment. As a result of this discharge, it killed countless numbers of fish and other aquatic life. It has been estimated that there is a 95 percent fish kill as a result of this mistake. Any aquatic life that has survived is not out of danger.
Normal flow of the Pigeon River is 60 cubic feet per second (cfs). The dam released 185 cfs (more than three times its normal flow) on June 22. Then, on the morning of June 23, they essentially shut the flow off to 6 cfs. Even without the release of sediment, just the fluctuation in flow alone would have had a devastating affect on aquatic life.
Since I reported the problem to the DNR and Department of Environmental Quality, they have been on the scene investigating the cause, collecting and recording various data.
In 1957, the dam broke, leading to a similar catastrophe,which kill fish and other aquatic life. In 1984, the dam was breached and a similar event occurred again. This impoundment holds back water and the sun warms the water. Irregular fluctuations send a rush of warm water downstream. Trout need three elements for survival: cold, clean, clear water.
There is no ill will toward the (Golden Lotus) residents and owners themselves; only their operation and management of this dam. Golden Lotus is solely responsible for all actions of the dam. We must be committed to never having this occur again.
This event does not just affect fish and other aquatic life. It affects beavers, otters, minks, bald eagles, ducks, blue herons, deer and other animals that use the river for food, drink and protection. This catastrophic event affects anglers, canoeists/kayakers, campers, hikers, bird watchers, and other Pigeon River enthusiasts.
It has been suggested by biologists this destruction will have a negative effect on our "Blue Ribbon" trout stream for more than 10 years.
Please write your senators, representatives, governor, directors of the DNR and DEQ, expressing your thoughts on this catastrophe and what you think needs to occur.
About the author: John Walters of Vanderbilt is the president of the Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He fly fishes for trout more than 100 days a year, most of which are on the Pigeon River.

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"If anyone has the time and the passion, please write the DNR and DEQ in regard to removal of this dam. This is the third time this fish kill has happened on the Pigeon. The last was 1984. This is an unregulated dam, and now is the time to have it removed. I was speaking with an expert in this area last weekend and he indicated that the least amount of damage to the overall river would occur now, while the river is in the primary recovery stage. "

Karen Harrison


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AND if that isn't enough to get your hackles up an into action...heres another proposed disaster in the making.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...ON01/807090326


Here's what they want to do: http://www.mainstreetamerica.tv/

There is more on going discussion here: http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/fo...d.php?t=240397

Well Deb your just a bundle of good news. :-(

That's Terrible. Someone should do something about it.

I have already said a couple of times that I think that this time the Song of the Morning ranch should be hit with sufficient fines and cost recovery fees to put them out of business. I don't believe that it will happen. It's very hard to destroy one of the few going concerns in a part of the state with almost no economy to speak of. The best we can realistically hope for is that they permanently lose their license for that dam and pond.