After dredging in the 1880s failed to create a stable channel and was abandoned part way through, in the early 1900s many miles of wing dams and training walls were installed in the Grand River to try to hold back the sand and silt. Dredged material was deposited on the backside of the walls. Much of these structures still exist in the river and new dredging would involve removal of at least some of their remains. Attempts to tame the river were futile. In places the training walls now run off into the shore because Mother Nature is no respecter of walls or channels or dredging. Some people learn from history. Others, like Grand River Waterway LLC are hellbent on repeating it.
All photos were taken by G.W. Bunker and included in a scrapbook donated to the Loutit District Library, Grand Haven, MI by Mrs. Bernice Bunker Cook. Used with permission.