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Mio, Michigan: A rare opportunity to do habitat improvement projects in the Mio Dam impoundment was completed in early November 2009. Consumers Energy lowered the water level at the impoundment in order to complete routine maintenance work on the dam. “We had a small window of opportunity to get the work done and everything went according to plan” stated Habitat Specialist Eric Nelson. The tricky part was making sure to stay on the portion of the bottomlands that were more firm, if not you could lose a boot—we have pictures to prove it. 

Consumers Energy funded the project. When approached to do the work, Consumers Energy Hydro Generation Director Bill Schoenlein explained, “Doing the concrete repair work with a substantial draw down is the most cost-effective way for us to complete our dam maintenance work. So, when we were approached about using a portion of the draw down-induced savings to fund the fish habitat improvement, we were definitely on board.  It’s a great collaboration opportunity and consistent with Consumers’ continuing interest in enhancing fish habitat in the vicinity of our hydro dams.”

With more bottomlands exposed, crews placed 58 whole trees, constructed a spawning reef, and installed 50 smallmouth bass spawning benches at designated locations in the impoundment. According to Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Biologist Steve Sendek, “These structures should help enhance fish populations in the aging pond by restoring lost woody cover and restoring spawning habitat.  Woody structure has been slowly disappearing in the pond over time, resulting in decreased productivity.  This drawdown gave us an opportunity to do the work that would be very costly to conduct if the pond was fully flooded”.

The trees were anchored to the bottom using duck bills to make sure they stay in place. To create the spawning reef, work crews used 2” to 6” field stones and made the structure approximately 90’ long and 15’ wide. The smallmouth bass spawning benches were made from cedar and consisted of two 6’ posts with a half log facing down and fastened to the posts. A jet pump was used to sink the structures and anchor them to the bottom leaving about 2’ of space between the bottom and the half log creating a safe haven for smallmouth to use.  The structures provide cover and add areas for fish to spawn such as smallmouth bass and walleye.

Huron Pines is taking important steps to improve the quality of the Au Sable River watershed. It is a priceless natural resource that provides ecological, economic, and social benefits for the Northeast Michigan area. Huron Pines has been involved with a number of projects within the Au Sable River Watershed including the Au Sable River Large Woody Debris Project, Upper Au Sable River Watershed Management Plan, Grayling Stormwater Project, numerous road stream crossing replacements, small dam removal, greenbelts, creel census, and stream bank erosion projects.

See photos of the project's progress here.