The Cascade Dam on the North Branch of the Clinton River that is proposed to be removed to allow fish passage. - Courtesy photo by Chris Freiburger, Michigan DNR.

Susan Wells, Jim Francis and Rick Westerhof conduct one of numerous pebble counts on the North Branch of the Clinton River. - Courtesy photo by Chris Freiburger, Michigan DNR.

On July 19 Susan Wells (Alpena FWCO) and Rick Westerhof (Green Bay FWCO) assisted the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) with the Cascade Dam survey on the North Branch of the Clinton River.  The survey is a vital component of the proposed removal of the dam to provide upstream fish passage.

The day began with an early morning (6:00 am) rendezvous in Lansing, Michigan with Chris Frieburger, FERC Program Supervisor (MDNR) to drive two hours to the Cascade Dam near Romeo, Michigan to meet with Jim Francis, Fish Biologist MDNR.  As expected the drive was educational, enlightening and full of surprises with Chris and Susan.  As we pulled into the site, Jim was waiting there patiently.  The plan of attack was if one survey crew took two days then two survey crews should get the job done in one day.  Sounded good, but Chris wasn’t planning on having two neophytes on the crew. 

Chris set to work lining out the game plan and springing into action.  He got the crews lined out, gear setup and explained every little detail so even a monkey could understand (Rick almost did).  Susan and Rick were responsible for surveying the four upstream sites (ripple and pool areas), while Chris and Jim did the longitudinal survey and several ripple and pool sites downstream of the dam.  As the crews got into a rhythm, the survey sites went quickly, except one riffle area that had several trees in the way.  Rick was trying to get an elevation, but was having trouble getting a signal, so Susan reached up and pulled down several large branches.  No sooner than the branch broke that Susan was sitting on, Rick was able to get a good signal.  Susan survived her fall of three to four feet without injury.  If it wasn’t for Susan’s dedication and quick thinking, we probably would have finished the project sometime the next day. 

Next up was the pebble count.  Not really knowing what the heck a pebble count was, Jim and Rick sort of volunteered.  They started in the deeper pool first, which required diving underwater for pebbles and reporting back to Susan onshore what type of material was touched first (sand, silt, pebble, rock, etc.).  Susan kept track of the required 100 samples per site and notified Jim and Rick when enough samples were taken.  However, several times Jim and Rick thought they had enough sample, but only to be informed by Susan that more were required.  With the pebbles count completed, it was time to pack up the gear, get out of the wet clothing or get into some clothing, and get something to eat before the long ride home.  The ride back was just as entertaining as the ride there.  We arrived back in Lansing at midnight.  Even though it was one long day, the survey was completed by the two crews in one day.

Chris and Susan were excellent instructors assisting Jim and Rick.  We had a great time gathering data and learning the tricks of the trade, as it was really a team effort between the MDNR and USFWS.  We can’t wait to see the Cascade Dam removed for the benefit of aquatic resources in the North Branch of the Clinton River.  Thanks to Chris for letting us Rick be a part of it.

Rick Westerhof, Green Bay FWCO, Fish Biologist

Susan Wells, Alpena FWCO, Fish Biologist