This summer the Chocolay River Watershed Project has been successful in restoring a large segment of a local trout stream that had been severely impacted by excessive sedimentation. The dramatic improvements in stream substrate, morphology and available aquatic habitat will benefit trout and salmon populations in Lake Superior and other local streams.
This demonstration project has been a huge public success because it clearly illustrates the stream conditions before and after restoration. This project has also been crucial for rallying public support and showing the incredible potential for restoring other local streams that have been negatively impacted by non-point source pollution.
What the photos and slides don't show is how much these stream restoration
ractices have improved substrate conditions. Prior to the project, conditions
were 100% imbedded (i.e., no stones and gravel showing). Now in the treated
areas, we are seeing 30-70% embedded (i.e., substantial area of rocky,
gravelly stream bed showing). This is a drastic improvement in substrate
conditions and available spawning grounds for fish and aquatic invertebrates.