Restoration of Thunder Bay River Erosion Sites

The Thunder Bay River is located in the northeastern corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The river discharges into the Thunder Bay of Lake Huron at Alpena. The watershed area is approximately 1200 square miles. Soils in the watershed include sands, silts, clays, and organics. In 1993 the U.S. Department of Agriculture prepared a streambank erosion inventory of the Thunder Bay River. A total of 146 sites were identified. Causes of erosion included peaking hydropower operations, pedestrian foot traffic, cattle traffic, and stormwater drainage. As part of the new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license requirements, Thunder Bay Power Company (TBPC) is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and associated partners to monitor and restore the more critical sites. Repairs have included structural measures such as riprap, bank sloping and bio-remediation. Monitoring is accomplished bi-annually using photography and field surveying techniques. The USFWS and TBPC are cooperating in grant applications for additional restoration work. TBPC has provided engineering and biological services for the projects. USFWS prepares the grant applications and monitors construction activities.