| March 18, 2008 |
For years fisheries biologists have identified a lack of instream “large woody debris” as one of the major problems facing the Au Sable River’s fishery. The popular river system brings millions of dollars’ worth of recreation dollars into the area, but without the investment of stream enhancement programs like this one, the quality of those recreation opportunities are diminished.
Fortunately, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) recognizes the need for active habitat improvement efforts and is providing $400,000 in funding over the next two years to do the type of stream enhancement work known as large woody debris (LWD). The funding was initially allocated several years ago, but put on hiatus due to budget cuts within the Fisheries Division.
“The State of Michigan is really glad that we’ve been able to bring back this program, as promised, to the Au Sable,” stated MDNR Fisheries Biologist Steven Sendek.
LWD is important for providing fish cover, supporting habitat diversity within the stream, protecting streambanks from erosion, and creating a more natural river system. Loss of LWD occurred during the logging era, later land development, and as a result of dams.
The funding will be directed to Huron Pines, experienced with building the type of LWD complexes that are needed. The not-for-profit organization originally started the LWD program on the Au Sable River in the late 1990’s.
During the past two years, Huron Pines has conducted the effort through the support of its members and from generous contributions from several angler and conservation organizations.
“It’s been very difficult to keep this important program going without state funding, although there are several key organizations that really helped make it possible,” Huron Pines Executive Director Brad Jensen stated.
These groups include:
Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee
Mason-Griffith Founders Chapter of TU
Michigan Fly Fishing Club
Au Sable North Branch Area Association
Paul H. Young Chapter of TU
Upper Au Sable River Preservation Association
Michigan Wildlife Conservancy
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Gates Au Sable Lodge
Headwaters Chapter of TU
Clinton Valley TU
(Huron Pines asks that if you appreciate this type of stream enhancement work, please be sure to share your thanks with these great groups.)
As many know, the upper Au Sable supports many anglers, but is not artificially stocked with fish – the focus is on protecting and improving the habitat. In previous years of this partnership with the state, Huron Pines has used a combination of techniques to improve stream habitat – adding nearly 2,000 trees to the river each year through the use of the organization’s river crew, composed of people from the local community, along with additional stream enhancement by use of a heavy-lift helicopter.
Huron Pines, in partnership with the Au Sable North Branch Area Association, was the first to pioneer the use of a heavy-lift helicopter for stream habitat improvement east of the Mississippi. In recent years much of the LWD effort has focused on the North Branch, with great results.
“Trout populations are responding favorably and we’re seeing larger fish on the North Branch, where much of the work has already been done,” noted Sendek. “Only time will tell, but we’re very optimistic that the program is working the way it is supposed to.”
The MDNR agreement also includes the funding necessary to excavate and remove sediment from eight established sediment traps in the river, thereby helping to address problems created by the number one source of pollution in the river – excess sand entering from road/stream crossings, and recreational access points. For years, Huron Pines has worked to address the source of these problems, installing Best Management Practices at major erosion sites.
In agreement with MDNR Fisheries staff, Huron Pines feels that the continued use of instream sediment basins (i.e., sand traps) is effective in targeted locations such as the ones utilized for this project. In high-quality northern Michigan river systems, excess sand is often considered the number one pollutant, as it reduces the quality of stream bottom habitat for aquatic insects and fish, increases downstream erosion as a result of the widening of the river, and then warms river temperatures due to the widened and more shallow stream. Warming water temperatures are one of the most critical threats to the coldwater fish species in the Au Sable.
Huron Pines is a not-for-profit organization that serves the 11-county region of Northeast Michigan. While the organization is pleased to see the return of state funding for the Au Sable Large Woody Debris program, Huron Pines has many other important projects that still need support. Please review key projects on the Huron Pines website to find out where other help is needed or call 989-344-0753 ext. 18.
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| brad@huronpines.org |
| Au Sable River |
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