The undersized culvert blocks water, creating a backwater upstream of the culvert and causing smaller particles (silt) to settle out. As a result, there is an abundance of silt and emergent aquatic vegetation, and the creek channel is poorly defined. Photo credit: Andrea Ania, USFWS.

Downstream view of the existing perched culvert and plunge pool. Photo credit: Andrea Ania, USFWS.

Stream geometry and sediment data was gathered by Alpena NFWCO biologists Heather Rawlings and Andrea Ania for the Houghton Creek Road stream crossing on Wilkins Creek.  Wilkins Creek is a high quality, cold water tributary to the Rifle River.  Currently, this stream crossing consists of an undersized, perched culvert that is a barrier to native brook trout accessing upstream habitat.  The current culvert has altered upstream and downstream geomorphology, and is a source of non-point source pollution (sediment).  The survey was conducted within the impacted area both up and downstream of the culvert, including a longitudinal profile, cross-sections, riffle pebble counts and velocity measurements. 

Data collected from this site will be used to monitor changes in riffle substrate, channel shape, and water velocities post-construction.  The Ogemaw County Road Commission is scheduled to address this road-stream crossing later this summer.