Mar 25 2007
What Might Have Been - Bolles Harbor
The Ellis Library local collection is filled with “What Might Have Been” scenarios for Monroe County. While it was raining on Saturday morning, I stopped in to find some maps. One of the more interesting areas of the collection is the one that contains the improvement plans for Monroe (Bolles) Harbor.
During the 1970s and 1980s, there were several plans to improve the state boach launch and harbor. Several of these tried to factor in a deepening of the shipping channel into the River Raisin. The River Raisin has always provided two challenges to ships. The first is that the channel is on the shallow side. The second is that there is no place to turn around once a ship enters. This makes shipping into the River Raisin more cumbersome. This has, at times, hindered Monroe’s industrial development.
The economy, of course, has changed recently. And there is no desire at this point to spend money on a project like this.
But those of you who like to dream of a different Monroe should click on the link below. It shows a map of one of the plans. The result of this particular plan would have been the creation of a barrier island between Plum Creek and Bolles Harbor. This island would have been filled with the dredge material from a deepening of the River Raisin. The island would have helped to create about 700 acres of wetland behind several dikes.
The results of the plan would have been a more accessible shipping channel, more habitat for wildlife, greater tourism potential for Monroe and probably 5 to 7 miles of additional hiking in the direct vicinity of Monroe.
The plan that was actually implemented was much more affordable. Improvements were made. But the wetlands and hiking didn’t really happen.
There is no point in crying about this now. The plan was created in the late 80s and its time has, for the moment, passed. But I think that we’ve seen with Pointe Mouillee that Monroe can, in fact, recreate its natural environment. And with some far-sighted planning, it can be a great and natural place for future generations.
Here’s the map:
http://extremesouthmichigan.blogspot.com/2007/03/monroe-harbor-plans-circa-1988.html