Habitat Restoration (Chippewa County, MI)
Project Description 
Past modifications to incorporate commercial shipping in the St. Marys River have greatly altered its aquatic habitat. This area was once a valuable rapid habitat used as a spawning area for fish and invertebrate species in the river system. Without this project the area would continue to be unproductive as a spawning area.
The west project site would consist of removal of old building foundations, excavation of a channel, and the installation of a culvert to allow water to flow behind the existing rock piles over the natural rock-rubble/cobble substrate. The east project site would require the modification of the eastern remnants of the upper dam. A portion of the upper dam would be removed and culverts placed under the existing roadway. A channel would then be excavated to allow water to flow behind the existing rock piles over the natural rock-rubble/cobble substrate.
The goal of this project is to restore water flow over the rock-rubble/cobble substrate to provide critical habitat for a number of fish and invertebrate species.
Nonfederal Partner
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Fisheries Division, Northern Lake Huron Management Unit
Congressional Interest
- Senator Carl Levin (D-MI)
- Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
- Representative Dan Benishek (R-MI-1)
Cuurent Status
A Section 1135 preliminary restoration plan was approved in November 2003 by the division office. The project is currently being pursued under the GLFER authority. FY10 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act funds were used to reevaluate the project. Initial hydraulic modeling indicated that only limited hydraulic capacity may result from the creation of additional habitat areas. As a result, further coordination with the State of Michigan is being pursued. FY11 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funds will be used to initiate detailed feasibility studies if it is determined that further detailed studies are warranted.
Funding
| Total | Federal | Nonfederal | |
| Current working estimate | $2,500,000 | $1,625,000 | $875,000 |
| Funding to date | $200,000 | $200,000 | $0 |
| Funds required to complete project | $2,300,000 | $1,425,000 | $875,000 |
Project Manager Carl A. Platz Click here to download a copy |