The simplicity, affordability and visibility of the work that could be done at the Sandfield Dam made it the first priority site overall for rehabilitation of the Manitou River. The work was performed largely by local volunteers from the Lake Manitou Area Association as well as youth working summer jobs funded through the Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario Stewardship Ranger program.

What was done?

• Improving In-Stream Fish Habitat: Large rocks, geotextiles and dug pools provide shelter for fish from predators, the hot sun and the strong water flow. They also create spawning habitat in the riffles and pools they make.

Though M68 was designated as the highest-ranking site in the low priority category, it made sense to have the same volunteers and materials travel just downstream from the Dam site to work on this site as well.

What was done?

• Improving In-Stream Fish Habitat: As can be seen in the picture above, trees, shrubs, stumps and large rocks placed in the stream provide shelter to keep the water cool, create islands for new vegetation (the basis of the stream's food chain) and create pools and riffles for fish spawning and protection.



• Restoring Stream Width and Depth: Fish need streams to be deep enough or the water will get too warm and flow too slowly, so the banks were rebuilt with gravel to narrow the stream.