| May 14, 2008 |
The lake sturgeon spawning in the Black River weren’t the only thing to view this weekend. The streambank was busy with 35 volunteers lending a hand to protect the spawning beds from further sedimentation. The sediment, mainly sand, has been entering the river along this stretch and jeopardizing the integrity of the sturgeon spawning grounds. The sand can cover the cobble needed by the sturgeon. As sturgeon spawn in the water column, their eggs drift down and stick to clean cobble surfaces. If that cobble is covered with sand, the eggs will stick to the sand and then be carried downstream by the current, which will prevent it from hatching.
The erosion began with peaking operations of Kleber Dam. Human foot traffic has perpetuated the erosion by preventing the establishment of plant life. This past Saturday, May 10th, the only foot traffic along the bank was from those volunteers working to stop the erosion.
As part of the Sturgeon Guard, a program developed by Sturgeon For Tomorrow, groups of volunteers were on-site to ensure spawning sturgeon were free from any harassment. Protecting those sturgeon took new form as the erosion project was underway. Volunteers worked to install cedar terraces to stop sand movement in locations of the most severe erosion. At the top of the bank, more volunteers installed a split-rail fence to direct traffic towards areas of the bank that can handle foot traffic. While the fence and terraces were being placed, even more volunteers worked to block certain segments of the bank to human traffic by placing brush in old trails. The brush will also help diminish energy from falling rain and stormwater runoff.
There were two designated groups of volunteers: the Boy Scouts of America Troop 645 and the Cheboygan Archers. Interestingly enough, several other members of the Sturgeon Guard were intrigued by the work and began helping out as well. All in all, 35 volunteers worked from 10:30am to 4:00pm and achieved an invaluable amount of awareness, stewardship, and streambank protection.
Thank you again for your hard work and dedication.
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| For more information on the streambank stabilization project on the Black River, please contact:
Patrick Ertel
Project Manager
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