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Section 319
NONPOINT SOURCE PROGRAM SUCCESS STORY
Stream Stabilization Projects Put Carrier Creek on the Path to Recovery
Waterbody Improved
Carrier Creek, a tributary to the Grand River, flows through a rapidly
developing area near Lansing, Michigan. Historic channelization and
more recent urban runoff resulted in eroding stream banks, high sedimentation rates, and degraded
aquatic habitat for fish and macroinvertebrate communities. Extensive stream restoration and storm
water retention activities have resulted in increased fish taxa at two monitoring locations.
Problem
Carrier Creek, in Eaton County, Michigan, is a
tributary to the Grand River. Michigan has included
a 4-mile segment of the creek—from its confluence
with the Grand River upstream to where it flows
under Interstate 496—on its 303(d) list of impaired
waters for more than 10 years. Michigan water qual-
ity standards (WQS) require that all surface waters of
the state are "designated for and shall be protected
for, among other things, aquatic life and wildlife."
Biological assessments on Carrier Creek had shown
that the macroinvertebrate community was rated
poor, which first led Michigan's Department of
Environmental Quality (MIDEQ) to place the segment
on the list of impaired waters in 1996.
MIDEQ determined that the quality of the biota in
this segment of the creek was reduced by urban
runoff, poor in-stream habitat, and excessive
sediment deposition (Figures 1 and 2). MIDEQ
completed a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for
Carrier Creek biota in 2002. As noted in the TMDL,
achievement of the WQS for designated uses for
Carrier Creek will be demonstrated by assessing the
macroinvertebrate community and the in-stream
habitat as it relates to sediment.
Project Highlights
In 2000 a team of contractors, local agencies, and
volunteers stabilized and restored 5 miles (3,771 linear
feet) of channel using funding from MIDEQ. These
projects increased channel stability, improved
in-stream habitat, and reconnected the channel to
its floodplain. The upstream end of the channel was
narrowed, and the stream pattern was reestablished
with structures that promote meandering. Throughout
the rest of the restored reach, various structures were
installed to stabilize the channel, including cross-
vanes, J-hooks, lunkers, log revetments and riprap
(Figures 3, 4, and 5). In some locations, the project
team removed dredge spoils that were separating the
stream from its natural floodplain.
In 2002 project partners created a 32-acre wetland in
the headwaters of the watershed to intercept storm
water runoff and decrease stream fleshiness, or the
tendency for the stream to rise and fall quickly after
storms. In 2004 the Perrin Chapter of Trout Unlimited
installed 50 large, wooden lunker boxes along the
creek to provide shelter and resting points for fish.
In addition, the Eaton County Drain Commissioner
is enhancing storm water detention and flow control
Figure 1. Before: Note the shallow,
linear stream channel and the lack of
in-stream habitat features.
Figure 2. Before: Note the erosion of
historic dredge spoils and poor in-
stream habitat.
Figure 3. After: Restored
stream meanders.
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throughout the upper portion
of the watershed to stabilize
the channel, reduce velocity
of the flow, reduce erosion
downstream, and reduce the
amount of flooding. This work
is ongoing.
Results
Figure 4. After: A crossvane.
Figure 5. After: A J-Hook.
The data presented in Table 1 represent an interim
assessment of the project's progress. MIDEQ col-
lected data on fish, macroinvertebrates, and aquatic
habitat quality at two locations within the project
area, both before (2000) and after (2006) the restora-
tion activities occurred. MIDEQ collected additional
fish data in 2007. The data show that the number of
fish taxa has increased at both locations, more than
doubling at one site and quadrupling at the other.
Macroinvertebrate populations have not responded as
quickly; neither the total number of taxa nor the num-
ber of pollution-sensitive taxa (mayflies, stoneflies,
and caddisflies) had changed substantially as of 2006.
As of 2006, aquatic habitat was unchanged at one
site, and had improved at the other. However, a single
slippershell mussel (Alasmidonta viridis] was found
during an informal inspection of the restored reach in
2007. The slippershell is listed as a Species of Special
Concern by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory.
The restoration activities conducted to date have
stabilized the stream channel and its hydrology,
reduced stream bank erosion, and improved aquatic
habitat. Fish and macroinvertebrate communities are
beginning to respond, and future monitoring should
show further improvements in the biota and eventu-
ally result in the delisting of Carrier Creek.
Partners and Funding
In 2000 and 2002, MIDEQ provided a total of
$1,263,555 in Clean Michigan Initiative funds (section
319 grant matching funds) to the Eaton County Drain
Commissioner for the stream restoration and wetland
creation projects. The Drain Commissioner provided
a total of $653,943 in local matching funds. Additional
partners include the Friends of Carrier Creek, city
of Lansing, Windsor and Delta Charter townships,
Fitzgerald Henne & Assoc., Inc., Spicer Group Inc., and
Trout Unlimited.
Table 1. Fish, macroinvertebrate, and aquatic habitat data for two Carrier Creek project area
locations: before and after stream restoration
Metric
2000 (Pre)
Site 3
Site 5
2006 (Post)
Site 3
Site 5
2007 (Post)1
Site 3
Site 5
Mumber of Taxa
12
Mumber of Taxa
12
15
Number of EPT2Taxa
1
1
Bating
Acceptable
Poor
Acceptable
Acceptable
1 Macroinvertebrate and habitat surveys for 2007 are in the process of being completed.
2EPT= mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies—three orders of pollution-sensitive aquatic insects that are common
in the benthic macroinvertebrate community.
I
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Off ice of Water
Washington, DC
EPA841-F-07-001BB
November 2007
For additional information contact:
Joe Rathbun, MIDEQ Water Bureau
517-373-8868
rathbunj@michigan.gov
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