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The Grand River Urban Waters Federal Partnership is a business and community-led effort to restore the urban stretch of the Grand River through downtown Grand Rapids, beginning with recreating the namesake rapids. The Grand River is the longest river in Michigan and a tributary to Lake Michigan.

The ability for fish and other creatures to thrive has been significantly impacted by the installation of five low head dams, floodwalls, urban encroachment, dredging, and grading. The five low head dams on the River drown the historic boulder rapids, limit fish passage and prohibit safe recreational uses of the River.

Investments in pollution control in the urban area have already improved water quality and now the community is working for expanded public use and river-oriented economic development.

Project goals include:

1. expanding public use and access
2. engaging youth, Native Americans, and historically-underserved communities
3. expanding recreational use by anglers, rowers, paddlers and whitewater enthusiasts
4. restoring historic spawning grounds for state threatened Lake Sturgeon
5. improving habitat for mussel species
6. remediating the hydromodification impacts on water quality
7. expanding economic opportunities associated with turning the "face" of downtown back toward the River, while optimizing sea lamprey protection, assuring continued flood protection and maintaining seasonal water levels upstream and downstream