Manistee Update

Heavy rains in July and August kept the river slightly higher and more discolored than usual. They also resulted in unexpected damage in a few reaches to streambank and streambed, temporarily slowing efforts of the Upper Manistee River Restoration Committee (UMRRC), now entering its seventh year.

This series of spates not only threatened or caused the loss of valuable streamside vegetation at a number of points, but greater-than-normal flow in the headwaters washed out several old beaver dams along with considerable impounded sand. To counter these setbacks, the Committee had to divert personnel from scheduled projects and postpone some new work. Everyone involved credits prior erosion-control measures - especially those at Cameron Bridge, County Road 612, and Goose Creek Trail State Forest Campground - with having prevented much more extensive damage.

Adjusting work agendas to meet contingent needs created by so many downpours on fragile terrain required immediate attention to repairing failed instream structures, to servicing sand traps more frequently than anticipated, and to the completion of the Cameron Bridge project.

Highest priority was given to specific deteriorating structures which protect restored vegetation that significantly contributes to the river's aesthetic appeal and to its trout habitat. These logjam-like structures, installed twenty or more years ago to control the massive erosion induced by turn-of-the century logging, were in need of repair in order to prevent stands of timber and associated flora, that have taken decades to become established, from slipping into the river. Fortunately, a number of these were secured before too much was lost.

Existing sand traps at Deward and Portage Creek were emptied earlier than expected to accommodate the surges of sediment from upstream sources. We were indeed fortunate to have these traps in place with the ability to service them as they filled. However, this meant the postponement of scheduled installations of additional traps at other sites.

Looking philosophically at the abundant rains of last summer, we cannot help but be ambivalent about them. They certainly caused some headaches. But there were positive contributions as well: they demonstrated weaknesses in some of our erosion-control techniques; they contributed to the revegetation of new sites or otherwise barren but stable streambanks; they helped to expose streambank impairment or instability previously undetected; and they helped move a lot of accumulated streambed sand while uncovering more gravel in the process. Most importantly, they recharged the groundwater reservoir which is so vital to our river. Indeed, all this rain should be viewed as no more a bane than a blessing.

In spite of the heavy rains, crews lead by the Kalkaska Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and MDSS's Shawono Center completed control measures at all but four of eighteen inventoried erosion sites proposed for treatment in 1994. (Over eighty-five percent of the 160 or so erosion problems identified since 1988 have now been corrected.)

Furthermore, the Crawford-Roscommon SWCD crew, completing its third summer of inspecting and repairing existing instream stabilization/cover structures, continued its fine work by repairing another thirty-one - some very large - in a stretch of the river extending almost six miles from about two miles above the mouth of Portage Creek downstream to about three miles above the CCC Bridge in Kalkaska County. Eighteen of these, which provide erosion control as well as cover, had to be rebuilt.

Finally, after being delayed by the heavy rains, the timber replacement of Cameron Bridge, and its associated approaches and ditchways, was energetically tackled in late August. In September, the long-troublesome east ditchways were fitted with diversion shunts and armored with stone, thereby eliminating what has been for almost a century the upper river's main source of smothering sediment. Paving the bridge approaches and installing guardrails was accomplished in November.

The remaining tasks requiring attention are the construction of an adjacent watercraft launching facility, the provision for additional parking west of the bridge, and the installation of a dry hydrant on the bridge itself. These needs should be taken care of before next summer.

Some may question if this investment of money and time is actually paying off. Without hesitation, we answer. Just look at the facts. The amount of exposed gravel has increased nearly threefold overall, channel depth is greater by an average of ten percent, and insect emergences have significantly improved.

Most important, the brook trout indexes (lb/acre and catch/hr) have grown by more than fifty percent since such measurements were begun in 1988.

Final reports on the annual creel census and the annual fall electro-shocking study for 1994 remain incomplete as of this writing. Preliminary information reveals, however, a slight increase in trout numbers, with brook trout again having a good year. Moreover, fishermen on the Upper Manistee River have enjoyed another year of very good trout fishing.

RWOL

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