A Black River watershed work crew trims a tree that has been targeted to use for large woody debris placement. - Photo courtesy of the Montmorency Conservation District

Summer work crews on the Thunder Bay and Black Rivers concluded their season on August 18.  Supported by the Alpena FRO’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, private landowners, local sporting organizations, and non-governmental organizations these crews accomplished an impressive amount of work. 

The summer work crew on the Black River (Cheboygan River Watershed) completed placement of 145 large woody debris (LWD) structures for fish cover and to deflect the current of the river to restore a deeper, narrower river channel.  These structures were placed on seven stretches of the Black River, which actively improved 10 river miles of the watershed. 

In addition to the LWD structures, the crew removed 25 beaver dams on four headwater streams, benefiting eight miles of stream habitat.  The removal was in conjunction with an active trapping program on two of the creeks.  One erosion site was restored. 

The Black River watershed is a coldwater system, with brook trout and lake sturgeon the predominant species.  The federally endangered Hungerford’s crawling water beetle is located in both tributaries and the main branch of this river.

The Thunder Bay River work crew restored six erosion sites in Alpena and Montmorency Counties, benefiting five miles of river habitat.  Two access stairways were built on the main branch of the river, and 2,000 shrubs were planted to stabilize the upper banks of erosion sites restored in FY ‘05 and ’06. 

Projects benefited yellow perch, northern pike, and smallmouth bass located in this coolwater watershed.