Foto Friday – Fish Ladder Park Grand Rapids Michigan
To help the salmon that are trying to reach their spawning grounds
in the upper reaches of the Grand River and its tributaries, this Fish Ladder
was installed at one of the main drops in the Grand River. Even with the
help of the ladder, they still have a Herculean task to get up the Grand
River in downtown Grand Rapids. 
The Fish Ladder was installed in 1974 and is a favorite spot to watch
the fish return up river in the fall. Joseph E Kinnebrew IV, designed the
Fish Ladder Sculpture that allows the fish to climb the dam at Fourth Street
and Front NW.
We have seen the fish so thick that the ducks can walk on their backs
to catch treats thrown in for them. If you visit when the salmon are
running, be sure to bring a bag of bread crumbs!
Grand views of our local city and riverfront are visible from here.
You can see the many cranes and buildings going up on Michigan Avenue,
also known as The Medical Mile. The VanAndel Institute, Butterworth Hospital,
Lemmon-Holton Cancer Center, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and the
Michigan State University Medical School.
A small public city park adjoins the fish ladder and is a great spot
to bring a picnic lunch and watch the activity on the river.
Fishermen were pulling huge salmon from the river when we visited the
other day. The salmon are on their way upstream from Lake Michigan.
Did you think Grand Rapids was named for the river that flows through it?
Yes, and for the treacherous and lengthy rapids that existed here.
The rapids have long been tamed with reinforced concrete walls that
step the rapids down gradually along the length of the river through the city.
Whether you come to fish or just watch the fish jumping, it is a fascinating
spectacle every fall in Grand Rapids.
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,
the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in
West Michigan. We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
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