By Carissa Hansen, Digital Strategist

A chance encounter, God’s divine plan, and impeccable timing all worked out in the summer of 2021 to reroute the Clinton River that was beginning to erode the land out from under Palmer Hall.

The Clinton River had rerouted at a 90 degree angle and erosion had deteriorated the embankment for 25 years. The river was now a mere 24 feet away from Palmer and Rochester Christian University needed a solution — fast.

Funding was not easily achievable because RCU is a private institution, and grants are more easily given to public institutions.

David Bidelspach, owner of 5 Smooth Stones Restoration, and Michael Geenen, owner of Green Watershed Restoration, both happened to be in the area in July evaluating two other projects when they felt convicted something needed to be done about the situation, having no idea who had even owned the area. They figured the building had less than a year before it would erode into the Clinton River.

That evening, Bidelspach and Geenan looked at design alternatives, looked up property records, and contacted Dr. David Brackney, professor of physical science. By 10 a.m. the next day, the two men were talking to Tom Rellinger, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Jaymes Vettraino, director of civic engagement, about what could be done. According to Bidelspach, Rellinger had been praying for 20-30 years for a solution and it had been on his radar more heavily in the last three-to-four years.

Bidelspach felt the relationship God orchestrated between Rochester, himself, and Geenan was truly something he never could have imagined. “God’s answering prayers that we have…how can we share God’s love through teaching people about river restoration and put people in wonderment and awe of nature, and how can we build relationships and communities around this?” Bidelspach said.

Bidelspach and Geenan planned and did the work all by themselves. They were able to find a less expensive solution using more natural materials. Doing the work independently, staying right on site in the campus dorms, and using natural materials allowed for a cheaper, quicker process.

Within a week, Bidelspach and Geenan had a proposal, received an emergency approval in August, and started construction in September. The emergency permit required the approval of several organizations: The Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Clinton River Watershed Council, the State of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and the City of Rochester Hills. The amount of contractors available at the time were limited and expensive. John Chapmen is a contractor who came in from Arkansas and did the flow state construction.

According to Vettraino, Bidelspach and Geenan brought a wealth of scientific expertise in addition to their strong drive to maintain what God has created. “I love that part of the story….we can call out God’s presence in all of this, but the science that these gentlemen brought to the table not only got the project approved, but done in a way that now we’re going to benefit from,” Vettraino said.

A number of actions took place to make the river move successful. Jacob Lawless, director of operations, and Vettraino led internal project management while Bidelspach led external project management. In the beginning, a company was hired to find out if there were mussels in the river to ensure the population wouldn’t be disturbed. The City of Rochester Hills granted permission for trucks and equipment to be brought in through the Clinton River Trail. Vettraino said if the equipment had been brought in through the parking lot, the entire cliff could have fallen into the river.

The contractors dug out dirt to open the channel first, and then started building the new bank to bring the path away from the shore. They built a section of sticks tied together (armor) designed to be hit with the water at full velocity, redirecting it into the pond. Vettraino stated this is much better for the fish and aquatic life, because the sand is not washed down into the river and losing volume. Sheets of steel dropped down into the river would have been the alternative had the project been done 20 years ago. This would have severely impacted aquatic life. Vettraino, Bidelspach and Geenan said they are passionate about using the earth’s natural resources to reform the river.

“Of all the projects and renovations we’ve done, this has been my favorite,” Rellinger said.

According to Vettraino, trees and bushes had to be cut down and relocated to the new riverbanks. Within two-to-three days of starting the project, the river was rerouted. There was a vertical drop left behind that needed to be filled with 2,000 yards of dirt. On the last day of the project, the City of Rochester Hills donated dirt they wanted to get rid of, saving Rochester Christian University over $100,000.

Vettraino said of Bidelspach and Geenan: “They’re the real deal…they’re changing God’s world and certainly this campus in a way that I believe is absolutely truly defining what vocation is and how we should be open to finding it,” Vettraino said.

Bidelspach believes the project has potential for teaching students about God’s creations and finding purpose within it.

“We’re really, really excited about what God could have in store for the Clinton River at Rochester Christian University,” Bidelspach said.

According to Bidelspach, The river restoration project is a true testament of God’s faithfulness, answered prayers, and perfect timing.