Habitat Restoration in Great Lakes Areas of Concern: St. Marys River

The St. Marys River is a globally unique binational connecting channel between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, two of the largest freshwater systems in the world.  The region has a strong tourism‐based economy that is centered on sport fishing and other recreational activities. However, dredging, filling, diversion, and urban development along the river has led to significant pollution and habitat alteration, culminating in a portion being named a Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC) in 1987.

The NOAA-GLC partnership re-established a portion of the historic rapids and healthy water flow to approximately 70 acres of aquatic habitat and improved spawning habitat for fish and other aquatic species.  Construction of a new bridge allowed free flow of the St. Marys River and will result in increased fish and wildlife habitat while improving local infrastructure and pedestrian access.  The Little Rapids were historically some of the most productive spawning grounds in the Great Lakes for sportfish and completion of this project improved the ecological, community and economic value of the St. Marys River.

The GLC partnered with NOAA, the Chippewa County Road Commission, the Lake Superior State University, Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Development Commission, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the St. Marys River Binational Public Advisory Council, and the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority to complete this work in 2017. This project will help advance the removal of the St. Marys river from the U.S. list of AOCs.

Environmental Benefits

• Re-established historic rapids and healthy water flow to approximately 70 acres of aquatic habitat.
• Increased habitat for trout, salmon, walleye, lake herring, lake sturgeon, whitefish, aquatic invertebrates and forage fish.

Community Benefits

• Replaced deteriorating causeway with a 619 feet multi-span bridge.
• Improved road safety and provided protected pedestrian access for fishing, bird watching, and walking.
• Completed the final step required on the U.S. side of the St. Marys River to remove the fish and wildlife related Beneficial Use Impairments and eventually delist the St. Marys River as an Area of Concern.

Economic Benefits

• Improved habitat for species important to sport fishing tourism.

The following fact sheets and documents provide additional information about the St. Marys River project and specific elements of the project.

Fact Sheet
Timeline
St. Marys BUI Background
FAQs
Final As Built Plans
Project Road Sign
St. Marys River Habitat Restoration Database

• Rapids return means fish returns  |  March 2021