Thunder Bay River Streambank Restoration
Thunder Bay River Watershed, MI

Grantee: Thunder Bay River Watershed Council
Basin Program Funds: $10,000
Non-federal Funds: $6,000
Project Duration: 04/1995 - 10/1996
Status: complete

Problem Statement
Sediment currently introduced by erosion from river banks, shorelines and road/stream crossing has had serious and growing negative impact on water quality. This is apparent in the gradual, but documentable, decline in quality fisheries habitat throughout the Thunder Bay river system.

Background
The purpose of the Thunder Bay River Streambank Restoration project is to install streambank erosion control demonstration sites at selected locations along the Thunder Bay River to serve as a catalyst for future stabilization projects.

Five sites with high visibility to the community will be chosen to demonstrate the effective use of stabilization techniques to prevent further soil erosion. An information/education component of the project will publicize the results of the demonstration projects through various vehicles such as newspaper articles, the Thunder Bay Watershed Council newsletter and television.

The Great Lakes Basin Program is spending $10,000 over a 12 month period to support the installation of 5 streambank erosion control measures.

Results
Seven streambank sites totaling 2,380 lineal feet have been rehabilitated using various techniques such as rock rip-rap, toe stabilization with tree revetment, and bank seeding with jute netting. Approximately 125 cubic yards per year of sand have been prevented from eroding at these restored sites. One of the demonstration sites has been publicized through the Thunder Bay Watershed Council's newsletter (distribution of 200), the Huron Pines RC&D newsletter (distribution of 250), the Alpena local newspaper (distribution of 12,000) and at a NRCS meeting in which 250 people were in attendance. This site demonstrates the use of whole tree revetment anchoring method, seeding, hay mulch and jute netting. This technology has been transferred to an engineering firm doing similar restoration at the Air National Guard base in Alpena.

As a result of this project, the Thunder Bay Watershed Council has collaborated with the Federal Energy Relicensing Commission (FERC) in developing actual restoration scenarios and cost estimation for restoration associated with hydroelectric generation.

Contact: Thomas Williams, (517) 354-6186

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