Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Waterways Navigation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents tell Port Huron council canals and Black River need work after boats damaged; city points to state jurisdiction
Summary
Several canalfront residents told the Port Huron City Council that shallow conditions at canal mouths and in the Black River are damaging boats and pose safety risks, and they asked who is responsible for dredging and repairs.
Several Port Huron residents used the public‑comment period to press the city for immediate action after months of low water and shoaling at the mouths of residential canals leading to the Black River.
Residents said shallow conditions have damaged boat props and drivetrains, limited recreational access and reduced visitor appeal for waterfront properties. A number of speakers described repeated calls to city offices and, in at least one case, a request for a 30‑day plan from staff that residents said they did not receive. One resident, Suzanne O’Brien, said she hit a sandbar on the Black River and lost propulsion on a WaveRunner; she described the incident as a close call. "I hit a sandbar. I was able to hold us on. Thank God there was no injury," O’Brien said.
Other commenters said city materials or web pages they consulted suggested the city was responsible for canal maintenance. City staff and the mayor addressed the audience and said the city does not control the Black River or the surface‑water channels that lead into it. City Manager James Freed told the council: "The city of Port Huron has no jurisdiction or responsibility of the Black River or the canals that lead to it." He said state bodies control surface waters and that the city can pursue natural‑resources grants (for example, DNR grants) but that short‑term dredging or canal‑opening actions are subject to state permits and approvals.
Speakers described efforts to get a faster fix: one resident said a contractor offered to open a canal for a private fee, and another said the city had previously budgeted money for work that was later reallocated. At least two waterfront speakers asked how the city would respond quickly to avoid additional boat damage and potential injuries.
City staff said they had attempted follow‑up with residents who left contact information but that in one case a digit error prevented prompt phone contact. Freed said staff documented their outreach and would continue to pursue options, including grant opportunities and coordination with state agencies.
Why it matters: the canals and the Black River serve dozens of waterfront property owners and contribute to recreational and tourism uses of Port Huron's riverfront. Residents emphasized both economic and safety stakes — damaged boats, potential personal injury and the effect on property values and local tourism.
What council asked for and next steps: council members urged staff to continue pursuing state contacts and to return with a written summary of options and any short‑term mitigations that are feasible without violating state permitting requirements. The city noted it will continue to explore DNR grant avenues and to provide clearer public guidance about responsibility and timelines.
Quotes: "The city of Port Huron has no jurisdiction or responsibility of the Black River or the canals that lead to it," City Manager James Freed said. Resident Suzanne O’Brien described the hazard: "I hit a sandbar ... the drivetrain on the WaveRunner quit." Several residents asked the council for a clearer, faster path to reopening canals or protecting boaters.
The council and staff encouraged residents to provide written contact information and said they would follow up through the clerk’s office and by email on possible next steps with state agencies.
