2013 Project Sites
Bickell's creek
Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project
Bickel’s creek is a 5.6km tributary of Lake Huron and is a well known rainbow trout and salmon spawning area. With drier summers and less precipitation this creek is becoming less navigable for fish to reach these critical spawning habitats.
The objective of this stream restoration plan will is to work with the United Fish and Game Club and Gore Bay Fish and Game Club to improve 0.4km of the tributary by creating vortex weirs near the mouth in the vicinity of the confluence with the bay to prevent sediment and sand build up, improving the vertical access up the tributary by narrowing and creating weeping weirs to deepen water levels, construction of fish habitat structures (placing spawning gravel and random boulders, weeping weirs and woody material, etc.) and planting native trees and shrubs to create shade, reduce water temperatures and to provide protection from predators. Native trees and shrubs species including white cedar, willow, red osier dogwood, Balsam Fir, American Highbush Cranberry, American Elderberry etc. were planted along the creek. This will help keep the water cooler, which will help to maintain an ideal overall water temperature for all cold water biota as well as provide future suitable shelter and shade for a variety of aquatic and wildlife species.
Furthermore, plant root systems will allow for natural stabilization of the creek banks to prevent further erosion and sediment deposits onto spawning ground and other aquatic habitat. Community volunteers (First Nations, OMNR Ontario Rangers, local landowners, Gore Bay Fish and Game Club, the United Fish and Game Club, local citizens) were called on to help with riparian vegetation planting and installing in-stream habitat (weeping weirs, vortex weirs, spawning gravel, woody material etc.). Stream restoration at Bickel’s Creek will increase the reproductive potential for spawning Chinook and Coho salmon in the fall and Rainbow trout in the spring. This project demonstrates the valued benefits of this community stewardship initiative, increasing angling opportunities and creating economic spin-offs.
Bickel’s creek is a 5.6km tributary of Lake Huron and is a well known rainbow trout and salmon spawning area. With drier summers and less precipitation this creek is becoming less navigable for fish to reach these critical spawning habitats.
The objective of this stream restoration plan will is to work with the United Fish and Game Club and Gore Bay Fish and Game Club to improve 0.4km of the tributary by creating vortex weirs near the mouth in the vicinity of the confluence with the bay to prevent sediment and sand build up, improving the vertical access up the tributary by narrowing and creating weeping weirs to deepen water levels, construction of fish habitat structures (placing spawning gravel and random boulders, weeping weirs and woody material, etc.) and planting native trees and shrubs to create shade, reduce water temperatures and to provide protection from predators. Native trees and shrubs species including white cedar, willow, red osier dogwood, Balsam Fir, American Highbush Cranberry, American Elderberry etc. were planted along the creek. This will help keep the water cooler, which will help to maintain an ideal overall water temperature for all cold water biota as well as provide future suitable shelter and shade for a variety of aquatic and wildlife species.
Furthermore, plant root systems will allow for natural stabilization of the creek banks to prevent further erosion and sediment deposits onto spawning ground and other aquatic habitat. Community volunteers (First Nations, OMNR Ontario Rangers, local landowners, Gore Bay Fish and Game Club, the United Fish and Game Club, local citizens) were called on to help with riparian vegetation planting and installing in-stream habitat (weeping weirs, vortex weirs, spawning gravel, woody material etc.). Stream restoration at Bickel’s Creek will increase the reproductive potential for spawning Chinook and Coho salmon in the fall and Rainbow trout in the spring. This project demonstrates the valued benefits of this community stewardship initiative, increasing angling opportunities and creating economic spin-offs.
Mindemoya river
Min 602 rehabilitation was about improving the fish habitat (channel edges, channel centre, reducing the width/depth ratio by narrowing and deepening the channel, creating pools, improving available river bottom substrate, and riparian vegetation/canopy) which will reduce the effects of low water levels and increased temperatures in the summer and will enhance the overall quality and productivity of this river’s aquatic and riparian habitats for the long term.
Manitoulin Streams is excited about rehabilitating this site on the Mindemoya River. By providing sustainable fish habitat and structure, Manitoulin Streams hopes to re-establish severely degraded aquatic habitat, which in turn will increase salmonid and other associated species of cold water habitat. Community volunteers were needed to plant riparian and canopy zones as well as contribute to some in-stream habitat creation.
First Nations, OMNR Stewardship Rangers, local landowners, local citizens as well as lake associations and fish and game clubs will all be enlisted to assist in this project. The Mindemoya Enhancement Strategy recommends that rehabilitation of site MIN 602 should include sand bank stabilization and enhancement of in-stream habitat Rehabilitation of site MIN 602 included sand bank stabilization, as well as enhancement of critical in-stream habitat. The sand bank on this site is approximately 46 meters long by 7.5 meters high at its tallest point. This particular site has a large circulating pool which is a critical spawning and nursery area. The culvert at Cranston Road prevents many fish from migrating further upstream. Special consideration was given to create in-stream habitat and the possibility of creating a structure(s) that will allow fish to navigate the step created by the culvert without comprising the road or upstream properties. It should be noted that very low water levels in the fall often compound this navigation issue. The Municipal road may eventually have a bridge installed instead of a culvert, however Municipal representatives indicated a replacement would not be installed in the near future. Heavy equipment was needed for moving materials that will stabilize the sand bank and to create in-stream structures for habitat.
MIN 602 stream restoration involved a variety of stream rehabilitation and bio-engineering techniques including; stabilizing the toe of stream banks with boulders and root wads, creating additional pool and riffle areas, placement of spawning gravel. Proven bio-engineering techniques for riparian zone restoration were implemented to provide fish and wildlife habitat along the river edges. The riparian area will be restored by planting native tree and shrub species such as eastern white cedar, speckled alder, heart leaved willow and native grass seed. This will shade the creek so the water will stay cooler, which will help to maintain an ideal overall water temperature for all cold water biota as well as to provide future suitable shelter and shade for a variety of aquatic and wildlife species.
Manitoulin Streams is excited about rehabilitating this site on the Mindemoya River. By providing sustainable fish habitat and structure, Manitoulin Streams hopes to re-establish severely degraded aquatic habitat, which in turn will increase salmonid and other associated species of cold water habitat. Community volunteers were needed to plant riparian and canopy zones as well as contribute to some in-stream habitat creation.
First Nations, OMNR Stewardship Rangers, local landowners, local citizens as well as lake associations and fish and game clubs will all be enlisted to assist in this project. The Mindemoya Enhancement Strategy recommends that rehabilitation of site MIN 602 should include sand bank stabilization and enhancement of in-stream habitat Rehabilitation of site MIN 602 included sand bank stabilization, as well as enhancement of critical in-stream habitat. The sand bank on this site is approximately 46 meters long by 7.5 meters high at its tallest point. This particular site has a large circulating pool which is a critical spawning and nursery area. The culvert at Cranston Road prevents many fish from migrating further upstream. Special consideration was given to create in-stream habitat and the possibility of creating a structure(s) that will allow fish to navigate the step created by the culvert without comprising the road or upstream properties. It should be noted that very low water levels in the fall often compound this navigation issue. The Municipal road may eventually have a bridge installed instead of a culvert, however Municipal representatives indicated a replacement would not be installed in the near future. Heavy equipment was needed for moving materials that will stabilize the sand bank and to create in-stream structures for habitat.
MIN 602 stream restoration involved a variety of stream rehabilitation and bio-engineering techniques including; stabilizing the toe of stream banks with boulders and root wads, creating additional pool and riffle areas, placement of spawning gravel. Proven bio-engineering techniques for riparian zone restoration were implemented to provide fish and wildlife habitat along the river edges. The riparian area will be restored by planting native tree and shrub species such as eastern white cedar, speckled alder, heart leaved willow and native grass seed. This will shade the creek so the water will stay cooler, which will help to maintain an ideal overall water temperature for all cold water biota as well as to provide future suitable shelter and shade for a variety of aquatic and wildlife species.
Rehabilitation and Enhancement
The Mindemoya Enhancement Strategy recommended that rehabilitation of site MIN 604 should include bank stabilization and enhancement of critical in-stream habitat. It is our intent to improve the stability of the sand bank and in-stream habitat by implementing a bio engineered site design. The site design for MIN 604 focused on bank stabilization and in-stream habitat. The sand bank at this site is approximately 18 meters long by 3.5 meters tall at its highest point. This is a critical spawning and nursery area as the culvert at Cranston Road prevents many fish from migrating further upstream. Special consideration was given to creating in stream habitat along this area. Community volunteers were used for riparian vegetation planting and weeping weir construction. Heavy equipment was needed for stabilizing the sand bank and enhancing the in-stream habitat. Stream restoration involved a variety of in-stream rehabilitation and bio-engineering techniques including; stabilizing the toe of stream banks with boulders, creating additional pool and riffle areas and placement of spawning gravel.
Proven bio-engineering techniques for riparian zone restoration was implemented to provide fish and wildlife habitat along the river edges. The riparian area was restored by planting native tree and shrub species such as eastern white cedar, speckled alder, heart leaved willow and native grass seed. This will provide shade to the creek so the water will stay cooler, which will help to maintain an ideal overall water temperature for all cold water biota as well as to provide future suitable shelter and shade for a variety of aquatic and wildlife species.
The Mindemoya Enhancement Strategy recommended that rehabilitation of site MIN 604 should include bank stabilization and enhancement of critical in-stream habitat. It is our intent to improve the stability of the sand bank and in-stream habitat by implementing a bio engineered site design. The site design for MIN 604 focused on bank stabilization and in-stream habitat. The sand bank at this site is approximately 18 meters long by 3.5 meters tall at its highest point. This is a critical spawning and nursery area as the culvert at Cranston Road prevents many fish from migrating further upstream. Special consideration was given to creating in stream habitat along this area. Community volunteers were used for riparian vegetation planting and weeping weir construction. Heavy equipment was needed for stabilizing the sand bank and enhancing the in-stream habitat. Stream restoration involved a variety of in-stream rehabilitation and bio-engineering techniques including; stabilizing the toe of stream banks with boulders, creating additional pool and riffle areas and placement of spawning gravel.
Proven bio-engineering techniques for riparian zone restoration was implemented to provide fish and wildlife habitat along the river edges. The riparian area was restored by planting native tree and shrub species such as eastern white cedar, speckled alder, heart leaved willow and native grass seed. This will provide shade to the creek so the water will stay cooler, which will help to maintain an ideal overall water temperature for all cold water biota as well as to provide future suitable shelter and shade for a variety of aquatic and wildlife species.
Rehabilitation and Enhancement
This project took place in August 2013, requiring almost a full month of work. Being a very public eye project, much time was spent on site, educating locals and tourists the purpose of this rehabilitation.
Improvements to the river’s hydrological function will better facilitate the flushing of the river mouth, cleaning rock and gravel substrates critical to a wide variety of aquatic organisms, salmonids and other native species that utilize 13.86 kilometers of potential aquatic habitat such as trout, lake sturgeon, bass and walleye to facilitate the completion of their life cycle processes. Temperature increase in this cold water stream and pooling areas for spawning is detrimental to the survival of the fish. Bank stabilization and enhancement of critical in-stream habitat is detrimental to this sensitive eco-system.
A bioengineered cross vein and two j-hooks were placed in carefully plotted locations, to allow for manipulating water flow and scouring. These structures were made of limestone rock purchased locally. Root wads and semi half logs were strategically placed to allow for sweeping and housing aquatic life.
Total accomplishments include:
In partnership with Central Manitoulin, this project was a huge accomplishment. Many businesses and locals were happy to help out and see to it’s completion.
It is projected that the in-stream work completed will provide a faster flow of scouring water to help keep the mouth of the river open for spawning salmon.
The Ontario Rangers had participated in this large project, as well as many volunteers to plant trees. A shoreline cleanup closed this project through WWF, headed up by Manitoulin Streams. Thank you to Central Manitoulin Public School Grade 4 class and volunteers for their help on this restoration.
This project took place in August 2013, requiring almost a full month of work. Being a very public eye project, much time was spent on site, educating locals and tourists the purpose of this rehabilitation.
Improvements to the river’s hydrological function will better facilitate the flushing of the river mouth, cleaning rock and gravel substrates critical to a wide variety of aquatic organisms, salmonids and other native species that utilize 13.86 kilometers of potential aquatic habitat such as trout, lake sturgeon, bass and walleye to facilitate the completion of their life cycle processes. Temperature increase in this cold water stream and pooling areas for spawning is detrimental to the survival of the fish. Bank stabilization and enhancement of critical in-stream habitat is detrimental to this sensitive eco-system.
A bioengineered cross vein and two j-hooks were placed in carefully plotted locations, to allow for manipulating water flow and scouring. These structures were made of limestone rock purchased locally. Root wads and semi half logs were strategically placed to allow for sweeping and housing aquatic life.
Total accomplishments include:
- graded slopes 450 m2
- armor stone vane structures (1 cross vane, 2 “J” hooks) 3.55 tones
- vegetated river stone 76.00 cubic meters
- culvert outfall stone 2.50 cubic meters
- (1) Stone LUNKER structure
- Spawning Gravel 50 cubic meters
- (7) Boulder Clusters 15 cubic meters
- (4) Wood LUNKER structures
- (12) Submerged Half Log Structures
- (2) tree sweepers
- (7) root wads
- (513) Potted trees & shrubs – construction company
- (349) Potted trees & shrubs – volunteer tree event
- (1100m2) Native Seed mix
- Protection of Pitcher Thistle (SAR) during construction phase of project by fencing it off
In partnership with Central Manitoulin, this project was a huge accomplishment. Many businesses and locals were happy to help out and see to it’s completion.
It is projected that the in-stream work completed will provide a faster flow of scouring water to help keep the mouth of the river open for spawning salmon.
The Ontario Rangers had participated in this large project, as well as many volunteers to plant trees. A shoreline cleanup closed this project through WWF, headed up by Manitoulin Streams. Thank you to Central Manitoulin Public School Grade 4 class and volunteers for their help on this restoration.
