Thunder Bay Reef Habitat Restoration Lake Huron, Alpena County, Michigan

he habitat restoration site is located in Potential Outcomes Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, near Alpena, • Improve spawning habitat and reproduction of Michigan. Nearly 50 years of cement lake trout, lake whitefish, and walleye. kiln dust (CKD) deposition, a waste T • Enhance restoration of self-sustaining lake trout by-product of cement production, has resulted in populations. aquatic habitat loss to the near shore areas around the naturally occurring CKD Pile Reef (see map • Provide habitat attractive to smallmouth bass and on back). In 2002, the pile of CKD onshore was other native benthic species. capped and a revetment wall was installed along • Create a model for reef design that will guide the lakeshore to prevent further erosion of CKD similar restoration projects in the Great Lakes. into the water. • Increase local fishing opportunities and support Aquatic habitat loss has meant a decrease in local recreational industries including charter potential spawning areas for fish species such as fishing and tourism. lake trout, lake whitefish, and walleye; a decrease in habitat for prey species and macroinvertebrates; and a loss of refuge areas Project Plan for fish eggs and fry. Work is being conducted in four phases. Project Goals The project site is Phase 1 – Evaluate condition of the natural and (1) Create 1.5 acres of new located within the impacted reefs; measure abundance of lake trout spawning habitat (artifical Thunder Bay National and lake whitefish spawning adults, eggs, and fry reefs) in Thunder Bay. Marine Sanctuary (2009-2011). (2) Enhance reproductive (TBNMS). Mapping by Phase 2 – Determine best placement of artificial success of reef spawning Michigan Department of reefs to attract spawning fish (2009-2011). Environmental Quality fish such as lake trout, lake Phase 3 – Construct artificial reefs in two stages (MDEQ) identified whitefish, and walleye. (2010-2011). suitable locations for placement of reef Phase 4 – Assess lake trout and lake whitefish material, and coordination with TBNMS ensured spawning and monitor the abundance of adult, no historic artifacts were impacted. Two years of eggs, and fry on the natural and artificial reefs pre-construction monitoring was conducted and (2011-2015). post-construction monitoring began in 2011. Project Team Project Lead Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Remediation and Redevelopment Division Janice Adams [email protected] Schematic diagram of 10-foot high reef with monitoring well and ramp. Fish images courtesty of Michigan Sea Grant 989.705.3434

Consultants Reef Construction Project Funding DLZ Michigan, Inc. Natalie Dingledine The constructed reefs are located about This project is led by the Michigan [email protected] 3,200 feet offshore of the CKD Pile Department of Environmental Quality, adjacent to two naturally occurring reefs Remediation and Redevelopment University of Vermont that are known to attract spawning lake Division with funding from the Clean Dr. Ellen Marsden [email protected] trout and lake whitefish. Reefs were built Michigan Initiative Fund. The project with local crushed limestone varying in was made possible by donations from Project Partners size from 6 to 18 inches. Lafarge – Alpena Plant and the following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Stage 1 – Eight small ‘pilot’ artificial two grants: Detroit District Jon Imbrunone reefs were constructed in 2010 to begin Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife [email protected] an evaluation of spawning activity. Restoration Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife • Reefs are 30 feet in diameter by Service; $64,000 grant) – Funded pre- Michigan Department of Natural 9 feet tall. construction monitoring and one year of Resources, Fisheries Division Jim Johnson post construction monitoring activities • Monitoring wells were installed at six [email protected] reefs to measure water quality and (including fall spawning assessments and spring fry assessments). Thunder Bay National Marine temperature. Sanctuary (National Oceanic and Stage 2 – Twenty-four functional Estuary Restoration Act (NOAA Atmospheric Administration and the prototype reefs were constructed in 2011, Estuary Habitat Restoration Program State of Michigan) allowing for reef height and orientation in conjunction with Army Corps of Russ Green [email protected] comparisons. Engineers; $517,000 grant) – Funded • Reefs are 8 feet wide at top, 5 or 10 construction of Stage 2 and post Wayne Lusardi feet high, 75 feet long; four reefs were construction monitoring activities. [email protected] built with ramps. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Reefs have a NW-SE or NE-SW Web Site Scott Koproski [email protected] orientation. Find the project at: www.michigan.gov/ deq/0,4561,7-135-3311_4109_9846- Adam Kowalski An additional reef, 5 feet high by 300 --,00.html OR www.uvm.edu/rsenr/ [email protected] feet long, was also constructed at the toe thunderbay/. Web site includes angler Lafarge – Alpena Plant of the CKD Pile array. advisories and project site mapping. The City of Alpena

Reef Construction Durocher Marine Legend Gary Yaklin 5' Height 10' Height [email protected] 30' Diameter Reef Alpena (w/ Monitoring Well) 30' Diameter Reef (no Monitoring Well) Converted 30' Diameter Reef (w/Monitoring Well & Ramp) Thunder Bay Shipwreck Sites

CKD Pile Cement Plant Reef Reef

(see inset map)

photo courtesy of NOAA/TBNMS