The Highland Park Dam Mitigation Project was commissioned to mitigate the low-head dam on Swan Creek near the South Avenue Bridge, at Highland Park in Toledo, Ohio. The project was funded through a Joyce Foundation Grant to the Partners for Clean Streams (PCS). The project was bid as a design-build contract in August 2007. Construction was completed a year later in August 2008. Although the final design evolved throughout the design and construction process, the overarching goal to improve fish passage over the dam without removing the dam was accomplished.

The objectives of the project, as stated in the Request for Proposals, are outlined below:

Except for restoring floodplain function, these objectives were met. Due to cost prohibitive and complicated factors, floodplain function was not restored however, two small native plant demonstration areas were established on the west bank of the creek. In-stream construction of the Highland Park Dam Mitigation Project began on August 19, 2008 and was completed on August 28, 2008. Two engineered rock riffles (ERR) were built just downstream of the low-head dam to create “steps” and allow fish passage over the dam during low flow. Approximately 1,900 tons of large stone (18”-30” average diameter) and 600 tons of smaller choke stone (3”-4” average diameter) were used to construct the ERR.

Local plant materials were harvested with the assistance of the Toledo ZooTeens. On August 12-13, 2008, locally native species of willow and dogwood were harvested and then soaked to facilitate growth. The materials were installed throughout the course of construction along the streambank and along the keys for the engineered rock riffles.

An educational workshop was incorporated into this project so that it could serve as a learning tool/model for other areas in similar circumstances. The workshop was held August 25-27, 2008. The workshop included several presentations by team members (PCS, JFNew, US Army Corps of Engineers) as well as hands-on activities including live stake harvesting and planting, and native plant demonstration garden preparation and planting.

Some of the comments from neighbors who visited the site include:
Mike Berry was excited to see the project. He said, "It's about time. I've fished here all my life." He caught a steelhead and northern pike under the bridge, bluegill, catfish and white bass and largemouth bass. "I think the walleye may come up here and spawn."

Rich Young and Mike Spyehalski said, “. . . white bass and walleye never used to come here and now they do but the only fish we have seen come over the dam are the white suckers. Now everything can make it."