Monroe in Monroe County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
River Raisin Legacy Project
Fish Passage 6
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 29, 2020
1. River Raisin Legacy Project Marker
Inscription.
River Raisin Legacy Project. Fish Passage 6. WHERE the River Raisin winds through the city of Monroe, it once flowed over six low head dams (2.5'-3') constructed by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. A habitat restoration project some 80 years later re-established fish passage here.
Phase I was enacted in 2012 with the removal of the dams by St. Mary's Park and the Macomb Street Bridge. Dams that house active sanitary sewers near Cappuccilli Park and Hellenberg Park were updated with rock arch ramps to provide passage for fish and small boats. Dams 2 and 3 did not contain active sewers and were removed entirely. Phase II completed in 2014 included dams by the post office and Virginia Drive that also housed active sanitary sewers. These were also customized with rock arch ramps built facing downstream to provide fish, kayak, small boat and canoe passage.
The River Raisin has had a long, rich cultural history. It was known as Nummasepee (River of Sturgeon) by the Native American tribes that first populated the area and used the river for hunting, fishing and transportation.
Later, the abundance of grapes that grew along its banks led French settlers to name it Le Riviere aux Raisins when they migrated to the area in the late 18th century. The English and Americans would later anglicize the French into the name we use today: the River Raisin.
The 18th century French settlement on the banks of the Raisin hosted one of the bloodiest battles of the War of 18 12. The events that took place here in January 1813 electrified and galvanized a fledgling nation, and became the genesis for the battle cry "Remember the Raisin!"
Fishing, wildlife viewing, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking are available as never before in our lifetime. Residents and visitors now have access to the Sterling State Park lagoons by bike, on foot, by canoe and kayak.
WHERE the River Raisin winds through the city of Monroe, it once
flowed over six low head dams (2.5'-3') constructed by the Works
Progress Administration in the 1930s. A habitat restoration project
some 80 years later re-established fish passage here.
Phase I was enacted in 2012 with the removal of the dams by St.
Mary's Park and the Macomb Street Bridge. Dams that house active
sanitary sewers near Cappuccilli Park and Hellenberg Park were
updated with rock arch ramps to provide passage for fish and small
boats. Dams 2 and 3 did not contain active sewers and were removed
entirely. Phase II completed in 2014 included dams by the post office
and Virginia Drive that also housed active sanitary sewers. These
were also customized with rock arch ramps built facing downstream
to provide fish, kayak, small boat and canoe passage.
The River Raisin has had a long, rich cultural history. It was known as
Nummasepee (River of Sturgeon) by the Native American tribes that
first populated the area and used the river for hunting, fishing and
transportation.
Later, the abundance of grapes that grew along its
banks led French settlers to name it Le Riviere aux Raisins
when they migrated to the area in the late 18th century. The
English and Americans would later anglicize the French into the
name we use today: the River
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Raisin.
The 18th century French settlement on the banks of the Raisin
hosted one of the bloodiest battles of the War of 1812. The events
that took place here in January 1813 electrified and galvanized a
fledgling nation, and became the genesis for the battle cry
"Remember the Raisin!"
Fishing, wildlife viewing, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking are
available as never before in our lifetime. Residents and visitors
now have access to the Sterling State Park lagoons by bike, on foot,
by canoe and kayak.
Location. 41° 54.774′ N, 83° 22.727′ W. Marker is in Monroe, Michigan, in Monroe County. Marker is on E. Elm Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Monroe MI 48162, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
