If you haven't seen the Better Backroads Guidebook, now is your chance to review its material and see it in action.  After more than three years of planning, the signs were finally posted: Road Closed - Bridge Out.  The best part about it is that it indicates Crapo Creek (a tributary to the North Branch Au Sable River) is at last going to get a healthy dose of protection.

The Problem:

As with most streams in Northern Michigan, sediment is the number one pollutant.  The case with Crapo Creek and the North Branch Au Sable is no different. 

Bridges, naturally being at the low point along the roadway, are in the precarious situation of being the point at which incredible amounts of sediment can enter a stream system.  When rain falls on a roadway, it naturally flows down hill.  Reaching the low point of the hill that rainwater, if untreated, will spill over directly into the stream. 

There are two typical problems with many road/stream crossings in Northern Michigan: 1) Stormwater enters the stream untreated, and 2) the roads that cross the streams are predominantly sand/dirt roads.  When these roads are regraded, excess sediment is pushed to the sides.  These piles of excess sediment create "curbs", preventing water from flowing off of the road.  The rainwater is then funneled directly to the lowest point, which is usually the stream crossing. 

The History of the Crapo Creek Crossing

In 2004 this road/stream crossing was identified as a source of an estimated 6 tons of sediment to Crapo Creek annually.  The concrete bridge structure was also deteriorating and began to compromise the safety of vehicular traffic.  This setting was perfect for project partners concerned both about the structure and the stream to come together and correct all of the issues.

Huron Pines has been able to facilitate a partership that includes nine different organizations.  These partners, while representing a broad transect of the community, came together to accomplish the common goal of replacing the crossing.  They include: Otsego County Road Commission, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society, Paul H Young Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee, Au Sable North Branch Area Association, Muskegon Development and Huron Pines.

Habitat Improvement:

On October 18th, the new culvert was set.  This structure, chosen for its capacity to span the entire stream with room to spare, would also allow for the road to no longer have a vehicle weight restriction.  With a span of 16 feet and width of nearly 35 feet, the new culvert is now better aligned with the natural stream flow and features a bottomless design.  This allows the present substrate on the streambed to slowly flow under the crossing, creating as natural habitat as possible for a road/stream crossing.  Also, a bottomless structure prevents the downstream "plunge pools" or the "perching" of traditional culverts, both of which impair fish passage.

As the upstream and downstream habitat were  reconnected, the project focus shifted towards ensuring the future protection of the habitat and water quality.  This is done by preventing further sediment from the road surface from entering the stream.

There are several techniques employed at this site. First, the elevation of the crossing has been raised by 18 inches.  This creates a situation in which the crossing is no longer the lowest point as stormwater runs towards the stream.  Therefore, any sediment laden stormwater will not flow over the bridge directly into Crapo Creek.  Second, at the new low point, intentional "turn outs" will be added.  These are designated locations for stormwater to leave the roadway and runoff into nearby vegetation.  The vegetated area acts as a filter for the runoff and allows the sediment to drop out of the water before reaching the stream. 

The final touches will be put on this project during Spring 2008.  That is when the Otsego County Road Commission intends to apply the chip seal to the road surface.  The chip seal is a phased application of an emulsifier that seals the road surface to prevent any moisture from infiltrating and a specific aggregate of crushed stone that provides the drivable material.  This treatment will provide a better road surface for travel and a "hardened" surface to prevent further erosion.

Six tons of sediment every year used to enter Crapo Creek at this crossing.  Now we have better fish passage, better roadway safety, and better control of the sediment transport.

Thanks to our Partners: 

After three and a half years of planning, it is time to say "Thank you".  Thank you to all of our partners for their contributions, dedication, and patience.  This project would not have happened without them.  Again, those partners are:

Otsego County Road Commission, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society, Paul H Young Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee, Au Sable North Branch Area Association, and Muskegon Development.

For more information on the Crapo Creek/Lovells Road Crossing, please contact:

Patrick Ertel, Project Manager 
Huron Pines
(989) 344-0753 ext. 19
patrick@huronpines.org