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Restoration of Coastal Wetlands in the St. Lawrence River
Project Managers: John Farrell Don Leopold
State University of New York State University of New York
 
Phone: (315) 470-6990 (315) 470-6784
E-mail: jmfarrell@esf.edu dendro@mailbox.syr.edu
Natural System and Location:
St. Lawrence River - Thousand Islands Region, New York State.
Hypothesis/Goal:
We are investigating the impacts of water level management of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River on Coastal wetlands. We hypothesize that water level stabilization has reduced biodiversity and fish reproduction success and that management of water levels in upstream tributaries using historic flows can restore wetlands and their functions.
Restoration Strategy:
Place water control structures at highway overpasses to regulate upstream water levels independent to the main regulation dam at Massena, New York. The State University of New York will restore seasonal hydrological cycles to coastal wetlands. This project will test the use of flashboards to block culverts and ditches and prevent the artificial draw down of water in the coastal marshes. The team will use the flashboards to mimic historical hydrological regimes at five wetland sites where small rivers and streams drain into Lake Ontario or the upper St. Lawrence River. The team will measure water levels and flows and evaluate ecological improvements by sampling plant communities, monitoring the spawning success of northern pike and walleye, and tracking muskrat populations.
Anticipated Outcomes/Environmental Affects:
Reduced dominance of Typha (cattail), increased use by muskrats, increased plant diversity, and reproduction success by northern pike.
Progress to Date:
Currently developing GIS coverage of historical vegetation patterns. Continue to collect baseline data (water temperature, water levels, dissolved oxygen, soils, zooplankton, benthic infauna, macroinvertebrates, muskrats, and vegetative surveys). Sampled 10,443 adult fish comprising 21 species, including 633 northern pike. Also caught 5 species of turtles including the state endangered Blandings turtle. Sampled larval and juvenile fish for 3-month period in the spring of 2001 and caught 16,881 fry comprising 17 species.

Preliminary data at non-study site demonstrated positive response to flooding with increased plant diversity, fish reproduction, and bird use. Project manger actively involved with IJC Lake Ontario water-level regulation study.

Engineering design for permanent water control structures nearing completion. Water control structures will be installed in the summer of 2002. Delay due to NYSDOT request that adjacent landowners sign an agreement to allow water management to occur. Landowners are signing 10-year agreements through the USFWS Partner's for Wildlife Program. Landowner response is positive and public interaction with project personnel will help to build local and regional support for these water management programs.

School of Natural Resources and Environment
Dana Building
430 East University
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1115
riverflows@snre.umich.edu