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Les Cheneaux Watershed Project
Road and Stream Crossing Improvements
Pearson Creek at State Avenue (PRS-5)
In the Fall of 2008, preliminary surveys were undertaken and best management practices selected for replacing the culvert on Pearson Creek at State Avenue. Engineering plans were approved by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for construction in 2009. The completed project is helping to eliminate erosion near the crossing, reducing sedimentation into the creek and restoring hydrologic flow through the crossing.
Construction of the culvert began in early July 2009. Mackinac County Road Commission personnel assembled the culvert on site and prepared the new alignment across Stat e Avenue. With the help of a crane, the culvert was set into position on July 13, 2009. The road was opened to traffic on Thursday, July 16, 2009.
Pearson Creek at Meridian Road (PRS-2)
The Watershed Project has been working with the Mackinac County Road Commission and Clark Township to replace three deteriorated culverts at the Pearson Creek crossing of Meridian Road in Cedarville. Construction of the project began on Monday, September 14, 2009.
The culverts were in disrepair, the concrete headwall on the west side of Meridian Road was collapsing into the creek, and the wooden retaining wall on the north stream bank was failing. The project includes replacing the existing culverts with one concrete box culvert and repair/restoration of the stream bank east of the crossing. For additional pictures of the completed project, click here.
R.S. Scott Associates developed the engineering plans for the project.
Flowers Creek at Nordquist Road (FLR-7)
During the road and stream crossing inventory of the Les Cheneaux watershed, the Watershed Project team identified the crossing of Flowers Creek at Norquist Road as a severe erosion site. The steep embankment on the downstream side required stabilization. This site was approved for funding.
During the week of September 14, 2009, Watershed Project staff and Michigan Works staff, installed the stone around the culvert outlet to elimate soil erosion at this site.
Due to the steep slope at this location, a cellular confinement system made by Geosystems (Presto) was installed. The material provides an innovative and technically sound way to solve challenging soil stabilization problems.
STREAM RESTORATION
McKay Creek Streambank Restoration Project
In a joint effort between the Watershed Project, the Watershed Council, Lake Superior State University, boy scouts, and Islands Wildlife Association, 200' of eroding streambank was stabilized with tree revetments, live fascines, and tree planting. The project was completed in the fall of 2009.
Pearson Creek Streambank Restoration Project
As part of the Meridian Road culvert replacement project, the Watershed Project restored the streambank near the mouth of Pearson Creek during the fall of 2009. The wood retaining wall east of Meridian Road was deteriorated to where it could no longer prevent soil from eroding into the mouth of Pearson Creek. The embankment was stabilized with rip-rap (angular stone).
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
Workshops are held to provide water quality management information to the community. Examples of workshops include a) low impact development techniques and wastewater treatment technology presentations to Chippewa County septic installers at the annual health department conference; b) septic management semimars; c) workshops for waterfront land owners to learn to protect their natural waterfront ecosystems through landscaping techniques and other land use practices; and, d) presentations at community events about weed managment and the health of the Les Cheneaux watershed.
CLARK TOWNSHIP PLANNING AND ZONING
The Project and Council were involved in helping the Township protect water quality through the updating of their Master Plan and zoning ordinances. The updated Master Plan has included components of our Watershed Plan. When we carefully plan our development, we make better decisions that allow for the protection of our natural environment.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
Since 2008, the Les Cheneaux Project has facilitated removal of approximately thousands of pounds of hazardous materials from our watershed. We've collected everything from paints and oils to batteries and pesticides. These pollutants are truly considered non-point sources as they were collected from across the watershed. Collection has been funded through the Watershed Project Grant and donations from the Community Foundation. Due to the success of the previous collections, the Watershed Council and the Conservation District plan to continue the annual collection. We will post the collection date on the web site calendar.
LAND PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
The Watershed Project continues to work with the Little Traverse Conservancy to provide land owners with critical aquatic habitat information regarding land protection strategies.
WATER QUALITY DATABASE
Watershed Project staff and volunteers have been collecting reports, data, and articles related to our watershed. This information has been posted on the Les Cheneaux Watershed Project web site which “went live” in October of 2007. New information and features are continually being added to encourage return visits. The web site is an interactive clearing house of water quality information developed to help you make better land use decisions to protect the our watershed.
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
The Watershed Project has been working to improve the effectiveness of on-site septic systems and the municipal wastewater treatment plant. In 2007, The Les Cheneaux Watershed Project with help from both Mackinac and Chippewa County Health Departments, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, developed an on-site septic system management handbook to advise homeowners regarding managing their septic systems and maximizing their drainfield’s effectiveness at treating wastewater.
The Les Cheneaux watershed is blessed with numerous islands, creeks, wetlands and near water sites attractive for development. It is also plagued with poor soils and fractured rock near the surface of the ground that facilitates quick movement of water underground. These conditions make it especially difficult for proper management of sewage generated at our homes and cottages. The Watershed Project has been conducting workshops for homeowners, septic installers, and contractors regarding proper use and installation of septic systems.
This page last updated on 2/9/2011.