Satalite photo of Lake St. Clair and the Huron-Erie Corridor. - FWS photo

The Huron-Erie corridor (HEC) is the waterway that connects Lake Huron and Erie. The HEC consists of the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit River and forms the border between Michigan and Canada. 

Because borders are imaginary lines created by man, fish and wildlife do not recognize them and cross borders freely without going through customs.  Whenever a water body is used as a border, all impacts are felt on both sides. 

One such impact to the HEC is the invasion of the exotic zebra mussel.  Mussel communities in the HEC and all the great lakes have been negatively impacted by zebra mussels.  In recent years, some bays on Walpole Island First Nation lands on the Canadian side of Lake St. Clair have been found to be home of 23 of 35 historical species of mussels including five which are protected under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.  

In September, Jim Boase of the Alpena Fisheries Resource Office and Tony Brady of the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, partnered with Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center, and DTE energy and met with Walpole Island First Nation to open talks on preserving the remaining mussel populations in the HEC. 

Genoa NHF brings to the table a successful history of mussel propagation with federally endangered species and personnel certified in SCUBA that are experienced in completing mussel surveys.  Alpena FRO and Michigan DNR are familiar with the US side of Lake St. Clair and the history of mussel work done in the HEC. 

Project clarification and funding sources are currently being sought to proceed with work on the HEC and with the Walpole Island First Nation.