Thunder Bay River Streambank Restoration

Thunder Bay River Streambank Restoration: Thunder Bay River Watershed Council

Basin Program Funds: $10,000

Non-Federal Funds: $6,000

4/95 – 10/96

Seven streambank sites totaling 2,380 lineal feet have been rehabilitated using various techniques such as rock rip-rap, toe stabilization with tree revetment, and bank seeding with jute netting. Approximately 125 cubic yards per year of sand have been prevented from eroding at these restored sites. This site demonstrates the use of whole tree revetment anchoring method, seeding, hay mulch and jute netting. This technology has been transferred to an engineering firm doing similar restoration at the Air National Guard base in Alpena.

Thunder Bay River Watershed Habitat and Protection Project

Basin Program Funds: $12,976

Non-Federal Funds: $7.530

6/00 – 8/01

The Montmorency Conservation District and TBBRC collaborated with the Huron Pines RC&D, Montmorency Conservation Club, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service to restore eight sites along the Thunder Bay River. Before beginning the restoration work, project staff obtained permission from the landowners and completed easement forms for each of the sites. The Huron RC&D Council planned how each site would be restored, using a combination of revetments, seeding and native plantings, bio-logs and erosion matting. Then project staff ordered the necessary materials and hired a work crew to complete the restoration on eight sites in the upper end of the main branch of the Thunder Bay River.

Results
As a result of this project, 8 additional sites, or 1,060 feet of streambank along the Thunder Bay River were restored, keeping 175 tons of soil, 1,749 pounds of phosphorus, and 350 pounds of nitrogen from entering the river each year. Ultimately, this will improve spawning habitat for brook and brown trout, increase the aquatic insect population and provide cleaner water in downstream reaches of the Thunder Bay River.