Au Sable River Restoration Work

In the twenty year period since the Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee was formed in 1989, over five million dollars has been invested in the Au Sable River watershed. The Committee and its Partners have initiated many diverse projects that include stabilizing eroding stream banks, removing excessive sand, adding large woody debris, replacing bridges and culverts, storm water treatment, assisting conservancy efforts, and riparian education.

Below is a partial listing of some of the major initiatives completed on the Au Sable watershed. The volunteer work projects and much of the Huron Pines River Crew projects which have been conducted every year since 1991 are not listed.

2007

• Grayling Storm Water Project – the last of seven oil/grit separator units installed
• Large Woody Debris – trees placed into Au Sable’s North Branch
• Big Creek Beaver Dam Removal Project – nineteen beaver dams removed
  In 2006 and 2007
• Crapo Creek Bridge Crossing – Bridge replacement

2006

• Grayling Storm Water Project – eighty-six rain garden retention sites constructed

• Conservation Easement Initiative – North Branch protected from development
• Pine Road Bridge Replacement – bridge replacement on South Branch
• East Branch Sand Trap – new sand trap constructed near I 75
  (Five active sand traps in upper watershed are being serviced by MDNR)
• U.S. Forest Service Large Wood Placement – trees placed in Main Stream

2005

• Grayling Storm Water Project – large retention ponds constructed

• U. S. Forest Service Large Wood Placement – helicopter tree placement near Mio
• Headwaters Enhancement Project – large woody debris placement in Main Stream
• Upper Au Sable Large Woody Debris - Huron Pines river crew tree placement

2004 <!--[endif]-->

• Headwaters Enhancement Project – Grayling Mill Pond Dam removed

• large woody debris placed into North Branch using helicopter

• Angler’s South Branch LWD Project – large woody debris placed in Mason Tract
• Clean Water Fund Easement and Riparian Education Project – stewardship education

2003

• Headwaters Enhancement Project – large woody debris placed into North Branch
• U.S. Forest Service Large Wood Placement – helicopter tree placement near Mio
• Angler’s South Branch LWD Project – large woody debris placed in Mason Tract
• Grayling Fish Hatchery Raceway Reversion – abandoned raceways reverted

2002

• Big Creek ORV Restoration – ORV crossings stabilized and protected
• North Branch Large Woody Debris – trees placed using helicopter
• U.S. Forest Service Large Wood Placement – helicopter tree placement near Mio

2001

• Upper Au Sable Watershed Management Plan developed and implemented
• North Branch Ford Closure – river crossing closed and protected
• Grayling Storm Water Committee - formed to address abuses of storm runoff

2000

• North Branch Large Woody Debris Project - river crew tree placement
• Lewiston Grade Tank Bridge Replacement – bridge replacement on East Branch
• Townline Road Bridge Replacement – Big Creek road crossing improved

1999

• South Branch Large Woody Debris Placement – helicopter placement
• Grayling Storm Water Study – two year project to study impact of storm water
• U.S. Forest Service Large Wood Placement – helicopter tree placement near Mio
• In stream Structure Repair Project – Huron Pines river crew conducts repair work on many of the 2000 fish structures Main Stream and North Branch

1998

• Cedars for the Au Sable Project – start up of on-going program to reestablish native white cedars
• In-stream Structure Repair Project – North Branch and Main Stream fish structure maintenance

1997

• Au Sable Stream-bank Stabilization Project – over twenty severe erosion sites treated (final year of three year EPA 319 non point erosion grant - $100,000/year)
• Conducted two stewardship workshops for riparian land owners
• U.S. Forest Service Large Wood Placement – initial helicopter lift of woody debris in watershed)
• In-stream Structure Repair Project

1996

• Au Sable Stream-bank Stabilization Project – over twenty erosion sites treated
• May Lake Road Bridge Replacement – bridge replacement near Frederick
• Headwaters Culvert Replacement Project – ISTEA funded culvert replacements

1995

• Au Sable Stream-bank Stabilization Project – over forty erosion sites treated
• Au Sable River Road/Stream Crossing Inventory with EPA 319 funding

1994

• Huron Pines River Work Crew Projects – inventoried erosion sites treated

1993

• 612 Bridge Replacement – timber bridge replacement near Frederick
• Huron Pines River Work Crew Projects

1992

• Lower Main Stream Stream-bank Erosion Inventory Completed

1991

• North Branch and Major Tributaries Stream-bank Erosion Inventory Completed
• Huron Pines River Work Crew Projects – crew repairs numerous inventoried erosion sites

1990

• Upper Main Stream Stream-bank Erosion Inventory Completed

1989

• Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee formed
• South Branch Au Sable River Stream-bank Erosion Inventory Completed