Reconnecting Our
Waterways
Northern Michigan is home to some of the most pristine rivers in the country. A majority of rivers in Northeast Michigan are high-quality cold-water systems. Keeping them healthy is a critical priority of our work at Huron Pines.
Within our 4.5-million acre service area, Huron Pines has inventoried all of the road/stream crossings over the past decade and has used this data to prioritize areas in need of attention based on concerns such as stream health and failing infrastructure.
Here are some examples of our work:
These streams face threats and perhaps chief among them is habitat fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation occurs when a large expanse of habitat is transformed into a number of smaller patches isolated from each other. Well-connected rivers are critical for fish and other stream-dwelling animals that require access to different types of habitat.
Since 2007, Huron Pines has restored 116 problematic river crossings and removed 6 dams, reconnecting hundreds of miles of upstream habitat. This work has restored water quality and health of aquatic communities, provided enhanced recreation opportunities for people, and has greatly improved road infrastructure and safety while bringing millions of dollars of funding to this region. In turn, this supports jobs for engineers, construction workers, material suppliers, and those working in the sectors of conservation, outdoor recreation and tourism.