The Walled Lake Branch of the Rouge River daylighting project restored an approximately 1,100-linear-foot stream reach that was enclosed in a large culvert to an open, free-flowing natural channel. This revitalized reach serves as the centerpiece of River Park, a new public space in the multi-use redevelopment of the historic Northville Downs horse racing facility.
In 2022, the developer of the Northville Downs project turned to Barr to design the new open river channel and to lead permitting of the river restoration and floodplain modification. Working with the development team, we developed early concepts for the daylighted reach based on natural stream channel design principles to help ensure long-term stability, ecological function, and aesthetic integration with the surrounding park. After an extensive public engagement process, we further developed those concepts into detailed designs that met community interests and were suitable for permitting and construction.
As an additional, practical benefit to the community, Barr developed the hydraulic design to modify the floodplain and contain up to the 500-year flood without increasing flood risk to adjacent properties. We led the permitting process with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) for regulated stream and floodplain activities and with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to remap the associated floodway and floodplain.
The stream daylighting and River Park construction were substantially completed in October 2025.
