Safeguarding a National Treasure: The Success of the Railroad Project

View of the complete Rail Road project on the Pere Marquette River
View of the completed Pere Marquette River Railroad Project.

The Pere Marquette is a river of “firsts”—the first in Michigan to be designated a National Wild and Scenic River and a rare, entirely free-flowing system with no dams from its headwaters to Lake Michigan. But even a river this resilient needs a helping hand when modern infrastructure and natural channel movement collide.

A Crisis Averted

The daily train to Ludington passes by the eroding bank of the Pere Marquette River. (undated photo)

For years, the PM’s natural power was slowly encroaching on a railroad embankment near Baldwin. This wasn’t just an erosion problem; it was a potential environmental catastrophe. The tracks carry toxic chemicals—including liquid asphalt and calcium chloride—daily to and from Ludington. A derailment at this site could have decimated aquatic life for 65 miles downstream, potentially for decades.

Turning the Tide

After more than a decade of tireless planning, lobbying, and fundraising, PMTU and its partners took action. In late 2023, construction crews broke ground on a massive restoration effort:

  • Stabilization: Over 600 cubic yards of fieldstone were placed along 350 feet of the riverbank, locking the slope in place and protecting the railroad’s right-of-way.
  • Habitat Restoration: The project didn’t just protect the tracks; it improved the river. By recessing root wads and adding large woody debris, we re-established a floodplain bench and created new homes for brown trout, salmon, and the rare spotted turtle.
  • Width Restoration: The project successfully routed the river away from the tracks, restoring a 50-foot channel width that allows the PM to flow as it should.

Gratitude to Our Partners

This monumental achievement—one of the most impactful in the river’s history—was only possible because of a broad coalition of funders and partners. We are deeply grateful to:

  • Core Partners: The Pere Marquette Watershed Council, Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA), and the Flint Rainbow Club.
  • Government & Tribal Agencies: The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and the MDNR.
  • Foundations & Corporations: DTE Energy Foundation, Marquette Rail LLC, The Brookby Foundation, and many others.
  • Individual Donors: Your contributions, alongside grants from groups like FlyFishers International, provided the critical local support needed to unlock major funding.
Excavator working on the Pere Marquette River Railroad Project.
Excavator working on the Pere Marquette River Railroad Project.

Help Us Protect the Next 65 Miles

The Railroad Project proves that when we work together, we can protect the “wild and scenic” character of the PM against even the most daunting threats. This victory was made possible by people like you who understand that the health of our river is the health of our community. Click here to join PMTU.

By supporting PMTU, you ensure we are ready for the next decade of planning, the next habitat emergency, and the ongoing scientific monitoring that keeps this river a world-class destination.