COVINGTON, Mich. (WZMQ) – Just south of M-28 and Covington sits the Net River Dam. In 2022, a spring runoff caused a structural collapse of one of the dam’s original culverts, constructed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in 1953. Since the incident, the DNR has configured funds through EGLE to begin reconstruction of the site.
The dam is home to 400 acres of wetlands, popular for warm water fishing and wild rice beds.
“We’re going to replace the culverts with a modern concrete structure. That’ll let more water pass and allow for greater water control, so we can manage the wetland characteristics and wild rice better, and hopefully improve the wildlife population out here,” said DNR Field Operations Manager Bill Scullon.
Holding a strong connection to the area, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) is also providing hundreds of thousands of dollars toward the project’s new water control structure.
“The community partners and support has been very high, they’re very eager to see this project completed,” said Scullon.
The project is underway by GEI Consultants and MJO Contracting, and is set to wrap up by the fall of 2026. During construction, Net River Dam’s parking areas, boat launch, and rice beds will be unavailable to the public.
