BRENKE FISH LADDER

This Labor Day we were out on a few errands when we came across a quiet little park that just happened to have this interesting structure. Always in search of blip opportunities, we investigated the area and found a few ideas for future photos. I hope to time the next visit so that we get to see this phenomenon of fish swimming upstream.

The Brenke Fish Ladder is located in downtown Lansing, Michigan on the Grand River. It was built in 1981 to allow trout and salmon to migrate the 184 miles from Lake Michigan to the Moores Park Dam in south Lansing. Behind this structure is a huge dam, so this ladder was constructed to provide a way for fish to get up to the next level of the river. (You can see the river to the right as the water exits.) I’m impressed that it’s architecturally striking as well as user friendly - people can stand along these wide stairs to enjoy the sight when the salmon, etc. are swimming upstream to spawn. A state law does not allow fishing at the ladder, but the fishing is evidently quite good along the river walkway leading up to this attraction. (It was named after the man who worked on the project.)

Salmon live in the lakes but spawn in the rivers and streams. The female holds from 4,000 to 7,000 roe (eggs). Whew!