Restoring Sanborn Creek and the Headwaters of the Pere Marquette River

Conservation Resource Alliance

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Big Star Lake

Lake CountyMichigan

The Pere Marquette River (PM) is world-renowned for its excellent fishery and recreational opportunities. It is also Michigan’s longest undammed river, meandering freely for 64 miles through coniferous forest, contiguous wetlands, and tranquil lands of the Huron-Manistee National Forests.

The PM’s tributaries feed its mainstem and ultimately flow into Lake Michigan. They are the incubators of life for the streams, lakes, and surrounding lands that shape the watershed.

Three decades ago, Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) and partners locked arms and set forth to free rivers. Since then, the partnership completed over 50 restoration projects within the Pere Marquette Watershed, including the final four road stream crossings of Sanborn Creek in the river’s headwaters.

Restoring Sanborn Creek CRA Road Crossing Project–Final Phase Improvement Sites

Fish Migration Amphibians and Reptiles

Conservation Resource Alliance

A variety of sculpin species were found within Sanborn Creek

Wood Turtle observed along the riverbanks of the Pere Marquette Mainstem

All sample sites contained moderate to high-quality habitat suitable for supporting a range of amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna). Several portions of the projects contained mosaics of upland communities adjacent to wetland habitats. These transitional areas are critical for amphibians and reptiles that rely on multiple habitat types for survival.

Ample woody debris is vital for herpetofauna. Wood provides basking sites as well as refugia from predators and the elements as well as attachment points for amphibian eggs. Supplementing this stretch of the stream with additional logs would provide higher habitat quality.

Wood Turtles are threatened by illegal collec-tion and road-related mortality. Additionally, loss of sandy nesting sites along riverine corridors re-duces nesting opportunities. Creating this critical habitat should be considered whenever possible.

Based on the assessment and investigation, restoration measures improved overall habitat for herpetofauna and aquatic macroinvertebrates providing greater connectivity and improved overall water condition.

Sanborn Creek provides an excellent opportuni-ty for anglers to catch primarily brown and brook trout in a small stream. Sanborn Creek provides optimum spawning habitat and cover for young of the year. Brown trout likely migrate to the Baldwin and Pere Marquette Rivers, and salmonids migrate into Lake Michigan, providing exceptional fishing opportunities in these connected waters.

•Brown Trout

•Brook Trout

•Rainbow Trout

•Chinook and Coho Salmon

•Blacknose Dace

•Variety of Sculpin species

•Pumpkinseed Sunfish

•Central Mudminnow

Fish Species found in Sanborn Creek

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Sanborn Creek & Forman RoadN 43.903399° W -85.801772°

CRA’s river restoration work begins with collaboration. The organization has been working with community members and long-standing conservation partners for the last 50 years. This partnership is part of CRA’s tried and true history of cultivating long-lasting relationships and delivering economic, ecological and community benefits to those who use the river and live along it.

Sound science and collaboration are integral to this work, which depends on tribal and state water quality and fisheries programs to collect data before and after restoration. Without this vital data, stream restoration projects wouldn’t be successful.

Rainbow trout in Sanborn Creek

MDNR and CRA work together to gather fisheries data

Mark Tonello, MDNR Fisheries, holding a brown trout found in Sanborn Creek

Cost: $307,000

Best Management Practices:• Corrugated aluminum box culvert 19.42’ x 4.92’ x 45’ long• Fieldstone placement for slope stabilization (15 cu. yd.)• Grading and re-vegetation• Paving of approaches• Re-align culvert to provide better alignment with stream

Project Benefits:• Restore natural movement of woody debris and sediment

upstream and downstream• Halt up to 4 tons of roadbed sediment into stream annually• Reduced flooding potential & annual road maintenance• Reconnect 5.5 miles of Sanborn Creek for migratory fish

and other aquatic insects• Ensure safe roadway for vehicle traffic

Site 1

BEFORE – Inlet of the undersized culvert before construction

DURING – Sheet pile installation before old culvert was removed

AFTER – Inlet facing revegetated embankments and paved approach

Sanborn Creek & Broadway AvenueN 43.909628° W -85.772248°

Best Management Practices:• Corrugated aluminum box culvert

18.58’ x 5.33’ x 49.5’ long• Re-align culvert to provide better alignment with stream• Fieldstone placement for slope stabilization • Grading and re-vegetation• Pavement, curbing, and 3 spillways constructed

Cost: $298,000

Project Benefits:• Restore natural movement of woody debris and sediment

upstream and downstream• Halt up to 4 tons of roadbed sediment into stream annually• Reduced flooding potential and annual road maintenance • Reconnect over 2.3 miles of Sanborn Creek for migratory

fish & other aquatic insects• Ensure safe roadway for vehicle traffic

Site 2

Improving river crossings helps to provide safe and reliable roads for Lake County visitors and the local community. The population quadruples in the summer months with another uptick during hunting season. Without healthy tributaries, eco-tourism would be threatened in a community dependent on quality land and water. The area’s visitors enjoy popular activities, such as sport and subsistence hunting and fishing, kayaking and canoeing, swimming, camping, and hiking.

Sanborn Creek is an ideal home for aquatic life, fish, amphibians, and reptiles, who are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. Mortality rates for young of year fish can be as high as 95%. Restoring Sanborn Creek’s connectivity increases survival rates and optimizes habitat, creating a more diverse and sustainable ecosystem.

Green Frog along the floodplain of Sanborn Creek

Kayaking the Pere Marquette Mainstem

Fly Fishing the Pere Marquette Mainstem

BEFORE – Inlet of the undersized pipe-arch culvert before construction

DURING – Old pipe pulled from the crossing on Broadway Avenue

AFTER – Outlet with new bottomless arch culvert and fieldstone to minimize further erosion

Sanborn Creek & Spruce RoadN 43.907246° W -85.742081°

Best Management Practices:• Corrugated aluminum box culvert 16.83’ x 8.25’ x 45’ long• Re-align culvert to provide better alignment with stream• Fieldstone placement for slope stabilization • Grading & re-vegetation

Cost: $310,000

Project Benefits:• Restore natural movement of woody debris and sediment

upstream & downstream• Halt up to 4 tons of roadbed sediment into stream annually• Reduced flooding potential & annual road maintenance • Reconnect about 1.4 miles of Sanborn Creek for migratory

fish & other aquatic insects• Ensure safe roadway for vehicle traffic

Site 3

Aquatic invertebrate surveys assess populations and diversity and categorize water quality conditions using index models. Five restoration sites were assessed before and after improvements. Several of the 32 families identified include species sensitive to habitat disturbances, such as the humpless caddisfly (Brachycentridae). Index models discovered that a majority of the identified species need “excellent to very good” water quality to thrive - indicating water quality is in good condition. Index models after improvements also point to a net increase in species diversity, indicating habitat and water quality enhancement one year after restoration work.

“The positive impact of this restoration work should continue to grow with time, further improving overall ecosystem health and habitat quality.”- Dave Misfud, Herpetological Resource and Management.

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake identified on the Pere Marquette Mainstem

Humpless caddisflies were found in Sanborn Creek

Herpetological Resource Management staff sampling for aquatic invertebrates

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BEFORE – Outlet of the undersized pipe-arch culvert before construction

DURING – Long pipe pulled from the Spruce crossing

AFTER – Outlet allowing the creek to flow free along natural substrate

Sanborn Creek & State RoadN 43.930844° W -85.683024°

Best Management Practices:• Corrugated aluminum box culvert 10’ x 4.83’ x 36’ long• Re-align culvert to provide better alignment with stream• Fieldstone placement for slope stabilization (25 cu. yd.)• Grading & re-vegetation• Re-route 200’ of stream away from road & secure whole

tree revetments on both sides of stream entire length

Cost: $310,000

Project Benefits:• Restore natural movement of woody debris and sediment

upstream and downstream• Halt up to 4 tons of roadbed sediment into stream annually• Reduced flooding potential and annual road maintenance • Reconnect about 2 miles of Sanborn Creek for migratory

fish & other aquatic species• Ensure safe roadway for vehicle traffic

Site 4

The Pere Marquette’s community and partners are taking great care to protect this legacy watershed for future generations. The river has federal and state classifications sustaining natural beauty, habitat, and enjoyment for all. CRA believes that the best design on earth belongs to Mother Nature, and works to mimic her design using natural infrastructure. Sanborn Creek’s final problematic crossings were restored with bottomless arched culverts, allowing the creek to move sediment while exposing natural gravel and cobble substrate desired by fish and aquatic life. Other best management practices include paving road approaches and installing rock, vegetation or other plantings to reduce future erosion. Lake County Road Commission takes responsibility that these structures remain open for aquatic life and fish passage in perpetuity.

Prime habitat of exposed gravel and cobble after restoration

Sanborn Creek is known for its brook trout fishery

Goldenrod stands allow for pollinator habitat along the banks of Sanborn Creek

BEFORE – Inlet of the undersized pipe-arch culvert before construction

DURING – Installing the bottomless arch culvert

AFTER – Newly placed bottomless arch culvert at Spruce Road

10850 Traverse Hwy, Suite 1180 Traverse City, MI 49684 231 - 946 - 6817 info@rivercare.org www.rivercare.org

Contributors:• CRA River Care Program- Supported by DTE Energy & George Fund

• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

• ITC

• Lake County Road Commission

• Michigan Department of Natural Resources-Aquatic Habitat Grant Program

• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Sustain Our Great Lakes Program

• Pere Marquette Watershed Council

• USDA-NRCS-Regional Conservation Partnership Program

• U.S Fish & Wildlife Service – Fish Passage Program, Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, National Fish Habitat Partnership

• U.S Forest Service Huron-Manistee National Forests

Partners:• Conservation Resource Alliance

• Land Conservancy of West Michigan

• Lake County Road Commission

• MI Department of Environmental Quality

• MI Department of Natural Resources

• Pere Marquette Watershed Council

• Prein & Newhof Engineering

• U.S Fish & Wildlife Service

• U.S Forest Service Huron-Manistee National Forests

Conservation Resource Alliance

Sanborn Creek meandering through a wetland forest after restoration efforts

Restoring Sanborn Creek and the Headwaters of the Pere Marquette, a $1.2 million effort, was a success due to the commitments of these partners.

THANK YOU to all that support efforts to restore rivers for the next generations.