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University of Michigan Biological Station

The University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) was founded in 1909.

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Evaluating the effects of a dam and cattle pasture on water quality and fish community in Cold Creek

Aquatic
dam removal
fishes
habitat restoration
water quality
Project Abstract: 
Our project will occur on Cold Creek, an important coldwater tributary to the West Branch of the Maple River in Emmet County, MI. Cold Creek is negatively impacted by a small dam/impoundment and erosion occurring within a cattle pasture. These conditions likely warm the water, create barriers to fish passage, and limit suitable trout habitat. We are collaborating with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) on this project as they are coordinating a larger project to restore Cold Creek through dam removal, road crossing replacement, and habitat restoration. In addition, LTBB and others are investigating Cold Creek for Arctic Grayling restoration. Our project goal is to establish baseline data to determine how the Cold Creek Dam and degraded pasture habitat affect water quality, in stream habitat, and fish communities in Cold Creek. Understanding stream conditions before restoration occurs is critical to determining restoration need, monitoring restoration progress, and determining project success. Our objectives are to measure water quality, habitat, and fish communities above and below the dam and the eroded pasture section on Cold Creek.
Photos or Graphics: 
A map of the Maple River showing our study location on Cold Creek
A map of Cold Creek showing the dam location and degraded pasture location
Investigators: 
ymaj
Status of Research Project: 
Active
Methods: 
We will sample sites in five locations: 1) above the dam and impoundment, 2) below the dam, 3) above the degraded pasture, 4) below the degraded pasture, and 5) a reference site in the forested, downstream section of Cold Creek just above the confluence with the West Branch. To sample all stream sites, we will use three pass electrofishing with block nets to sample 100 m reaches of stream. At each site we will measure discharge, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. In addition, our LTBB partners have committed to water quality sampling at all sites with variables to include chloride, total suspended solids, total nitrogen and total phosphorus. The LTBB team will also conduct macroinvertebrate sampling, habitat assessments, and pebble counts at all sites.