​M26 Manitou Stream Restoration
​Manitou River is one of the largest and most important streams on Manitoulin Island. It has a watershed area of 171 square kilometers, beginning at Lake Manitou and discharging into Michael’s Bay, Lake Huron. It is an important rearing area for sport fish species like rainbow trout, brown trout and salmon (Coho, Pink, Chinook). Site M26 is 83m long and 9m wide with an eroded outside bend in a sand bank with a clay base. Our project goal was to restore and protect 1500m2 of shoreline habitat and 840m2 of in-stream habitat and reduce nutrients from entering the river from livestock.   The following accomplishments were obtained while conducting the stream restoration project:
  • 83 linear meters of restored river
  • 840m2 restored in-stream habitat
  • 1500m2 graded slope and bank
  • 275 m3 vegetated riverstone
  • 21 root wads
  • 110m3 top soil
  • 1210m2 coconut coir matting
  • 1100m2 native grass seed
  • 287 planted shrubs by contractor
  • 300 nursery trees planted by Manitoulin Streams and volunteers
  • 56 m of fencing to restrict livestock
This project improves the riparian habitat, spawning habitat, water quality and biodiversity. It will reduce sediment discharge, protect land for Species at Risk, safeguard aquatic ecosystems, improve the river’s hydrological function and fish passage. Restoring riparian buffers by planting native grasses, shrubs and trees will help with: filtering runoff, stabilizing banks, reducing soil erosion and sedimentation, trapping/absorbing excessive nutrients and other pollutants, slow and absorb floodwaters and rainwater runoff to help prevent potentially damaging floods.
 
Laurentian University conducted macro-invertebrate assessments before construction to monitor the state of the aquatic food webs as a measure of ecosystem health. College Boreal conducted some electrofishing assessments to get a snap shot of the fish species that utilize this portion of the river. Data is passed forward to the MNRF (NRVIS) & Freshwater Invertebrate Reference Network of Northern Ontario (FIRNNO) through the Living with Lakes Center.  In 3 years, time, post assessments will be conducted to monitor recovery.
 
The following is the in-kind support provided toward the project:
​Total number of volunteers = 6 Total hrs = 183.50 hrs Machinery costs = $1,386 Materials = $2,530 Total In-kind Support = $7,876
The purpose of our stream restoration project is to provide ecological, environmental and social/economic benefits to the Lake Huron basin by engaging our diverse community members through education and contributing toward stream restoration projects that will protect and restore water quality, natural habitats and biodiversity of our Lake Huron tributaries.
 
The Manitou River Site M26 has been identified as a medium priority site in need of restoration due to immense erosion and lack of riparian vegetation.
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