Events
Past and Present Effects of Dredging the Grand River
Date and Time
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Description
On April 9, the Regional Math and Science Center hosted a virtual presentation on the effects of dredging the Grand River.
Last year, a proposal to dredge the Grand River was rejected by the state of Michigan and local governments due to potential ecological effects and hidden costs. Education, advocacy, and scientific study each played a role in the decision-making process. Although dredging is no longer imminent, the debate surrounding the proposal highlighted the ongoing effects of past dredging on the river environment and the need for additional study to document the health of the river.
View the Presentation by Dr. Dan O'Keefe
View
the accompanying presentation on Grand River Mapping and
Sediment Sampling by Dr. Peter Wampler
Dan O’Keefe is the Southwest District Extension Educator, Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan State University Extension. Dr. O'Keefe works with coastal communities and businesses in southwest Michigan to apply science-based knowledge to address Great Lakes and southern Lake Michigan issues.
Peter Wampler is a GVSU Geology and Honors professor, as well as the leader of the Making Waves Initiative. Dr. Wampler is broadly trained environmental geologist and geomorphologist with a background in both academic research and government regulation. He has been engaged in river research since 2000 evaluating human impacts to river systems resulting from dams and other structures.
This presentation is a Making Waves Initiative event. Making Waves is a University initiative to create collaboration across campus among students, faculty, and staff, as well as with the community. The goal of the Initiative is to explore and investigate the many ways that water touches our lives, from being a life-force to defining GVSU in relation to the Grand River and Lake Michigan. gvsu.edu/makingwaves