Cedar Creek Restoration Project
Barry Conservation District was the recipient of a 2016 Aquatic Habitat Grant. With funding from MDNR, the district partnered with the Barry County Road Commission, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Niswander Environmental, and several other partners, to improve fish passage from the Thornapple River to the headwaters of Cedar Creek by replacing two undersized culverts with a bankfull-width timber bridge.
The Barry Conservation District's Cedar Creek Restoration Project was dedicated to preserving and enhancing the ecological health of the Cedar Creek subwatershed in Barry County, Michigan. This initiative was carried out in a rural residential and agricultural area characterized by diverse natural features, including forested floodplains, wetlands, and lowland forests. Some regions were designated as high-potential conservation areas due to their relatively untouched landscapes, making them essential for the preservation of indigenous aquatic and wildlife species. Cedar Creek itself was designated as a trout stream, with the main concern being the presence of PCB contamination affecting fish consumption.
The project's recommendations and priorities included further studies to determine the support for a cold water fishery in Little Cedar Lake, assessments to determine if the subwatershed met body contact recreation standards, addressing potential agricultural runoff concerns, and maintenance and replacement of road culverts to reduce sedimentation and habitat degradation while improving fish passage. Protecting wetlands, riparian zones, and headwater areas was recognized as critical for maintaining the quality of the designated trout stream. Additionally, the project identified areas with sedimentation, nutrient, E. coli, and chemical leachate as pollutants, proposing various practices to reduce their impact. Furthermore, the project aimed to collaborate with private landowners to implement these practices, acknowledging the importance of their willingness to participate in the conservation efforts.
Overall, the Cedar Creek Restoration Project represented a comprehensive initiative that safeguarded the natural beauty, ecological balance, and water quality in the Cedar Creek subwatershed, promoting sustainable land management and responsible environmental practices in this unique region of Barry County.
