Carley Kratz received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan in Environmental Science, an M.A. In Agriculture Food and Natural Resources Education from Michigan State University, and her Ph.D. in Forest Science from Michigan Technological University. She has taught biology, chemistry, environmental science, and geology at the college level. She now teaches Natural Resources to 11th and 12th graders at the Lenawee Intermediate School District’s Center for a Sustainable Future.

TSN Conference 2026

January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 11:35 am – 12:00 pm // Room 106 // Reimagining Our Dam Story: Removal of the Brooklyn Dam in the River Raisin Watershed // Man-made dams have been a part of Michigan for hundreds of years. They have left a heavy impression on our collective psyche; offering a mill pond to skate on in the winter, or a favorite fishing spot in the outlet downstream. Unfortunately, dam failure can have catastrophic consequences. Dams also fragment the ecology of a healthy river. The Brooklyn Dam was constructed on the River Raisin in 1939 to provide hydroelectric power for the Ford Motor Company factory. The River Raisin Watershed Council has been working in partnership with countless organizations to remove the dam, restore surrounding wetlands, relocate native fauna, and above all else monitor and maintain the health of the river. We aim to provide updates on this project including the progress that has been made and lessons learned. Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys show hope of a recovering ecosystem. Above all else it is the human element that gives us hope and allows us to reimagine our riverine landscapes.