Grants: Water Resources
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Averill Preserve Wetland Construction
June 2005The Averill Nature Preserve is a 73 acre site that is situated between the Tittabawassee River and the Pere Marquette Trail in Midland County. An existing drain that passes through the property drains a much larger watershed above the Averill preserve. The drain was inadequately sized to handle the flow, and had cracked – allowing most of the water to miss the drain completely, eroding land around the drain. The Little Forks Conservancy used WIN funding to construct a unique four-cell wetland to eliminate the need for the compromised drain, maintain stormwater conveyance, and serve as a polishing basin during storm events. These wetland cells include native plantings and habitat components, and serve as an education facility for this innovative stormwater management alternative.
Edward M. Golson Jr. Boat Launch & Nature Park Outdoor Education Curriculum
October 2004This project developed and installed interpretive signage along existing trails at this public access point, as well as developed an associated outdoor education curricula appropriate for elementary, middle and high school students who wish to use this 37 acre site along the Saginaw River. Funds were used, in part, to hire a student majoring in education at Saginaw Valley State University to develop a site-specific curriculum that meets both Great Lakes ecosystem and fisheries education literacy goals as designated in the Michigan Curriculum Framework content Standards and Benchmarks.
Public Access Point for Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
October 2004This project developed a formerly unimproved and informal boat launching facility into a multi-purpose public access point for the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. Improvements included a new boat launch and associated demonstration of new bank stabilization techniques to prevent further erosion, as well as a fishing access site.
Evaluation of Lake Sturgeon in the Saginaw River Watershed
May 2004This three year project investigated the Tittabawassee, Shiawassee, Cass, and Saginaw Rivers, to determine if lake sturgeon were utilizing these rivers for spawning. The study area included the free flowing portions of these rivers from Lake Huron up river to the first impassable barrier. Anecdotal reports by recreational anglers indicated that occasionally adult lake sturgeon are being captured below the lowhead dam on the Tittabawassee River near the town of Midland. The origin, distribution and spawning success of that population of lake sturgeon wasunknown. Personnel from the US Fish and Wildlife Service Alpena FRO (Service) surveyed these rivers for the presence of spawning lake sturgeon. Information gathered is providing essential data required to guide future habitat protection, enhancement, and restoration activities in the Saginaw River watershed. This project was a crucial first step in determining the present and potential contribution of lake sturgeon from these rivers to adjacent populations in Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron. Additionally, this effort is assisting in the recovery of sturgeon from state “Threatened” status and is consistent with MDNR Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Strategy (LSRS). Funding of this project allowed the Service to participate in and expedite the Lake Huron Bi-National Partnership process including on the ground restoration actions and support an International Joint Commission initiative for delisting the Saginaw River as an Areas of Concern.
Sanford Lake Handicap Accessible Fishing/Viewing Platform
May 2004Based on a need indicated in the 1999 WIN Fisheries Scoping Study, this project provided funding for a public access site and general fisheries information kiosk at a site adjacent to Midland County’s Sanford Lake. The Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division and local sporting groups had identified limited access to this lake as an impediment to the fishery. This project was sponsored by the Village of Sanford.