MECOSTA COUNTY — Funding for the restoration of Buckhorn Creek, including the removal of the dam under the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park, is complete. Restoration work will begin in spring 2026, restoring fish passage for the first time in more than 100 years.
The project is supported by a grant from the Meijer Foundation and a recent investment from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Habitat Improvement Account. The contractor, John Henry Excavating, has been hired to manage the dam removal and river restoration efforts. A new eighty-foot bridge will also be built, spanning a high-gradient portion of the stream.
The new bridge will be integrated into the White Pine Trail, providing visitors with scenic views of free-flowing water. It is expected to become a popular stop along the trail, enhancing visitor experience and recreation opportunities. Each year, the Michigan DNR stocks 20,000 brown and rainbow trout into the Muskegon River at Paris Park, located just a mile downstream from Buckhorn Creek. The restoration project will enable trout and native fish species to access cold-water habitats, which are vital during the warmer summer months. The restoration will facilitate increased spawning and nursery areas for fish populations, improving both natural reproduction and survival rates. These changes contribute to a healthier and more resilient fishery in the region.
Restoration work is anticipated to start in spring 2026, focusing on fish passage improvements and habitat restoration. Further updates on project milestones will be provided as work commences.