Sometimes dam removal offers the best and simplest improvement for boating. The community in Batavia needed to do develop a plan for their aging dam that was breached and due for replacement. Believing that it was most important to restore the Fox River to a more natural state, they decided in favor of improving fish habitat and fishing, as well as extending a river trail popular for canoeing The design needed to:
- Create whitewater improvements that would suit open-deck canoeing and beginner – level whitewater paddling
- Provide fish passage for native species
This integrated restoration design met the assignment to provide recreation options for the entire community, throughout the year, including:
- Restoring free-flowing aquatic habitat
- Removing a portion of the dam
- Creating an off-river pond for calm water boating, fishing and ice skating
