The Rowe Manufacturing Plant in Newaygo stopped producing wood products in 1967 but left behind a subterranean water flow from Penoyer Creek that over decades undermined the plant’s foundation. Paul Haan is Executive Director at the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly.
“When they built that manufacturing plant, they created a small impoundment upstream and then channeled the stream literally through the building to power equipment.”
Now, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Haan says critical work will restore Penoyer Creek back to its natural flow by removing the impoundment dam.
“What we are endeavoring to do here is to do the engineering work to take that stream out of the foundation of the building from its below-ground location and pipes and culverts and return it to the surface.”
Thus, slowing the deterioration of the old factory’s foundation and improving habitat and passage opportunities for migratory fish such as brook trout.
Haan says the multi-year process should start sometime next year and wrap up in 2027.
