In 2011 twenty-eight Chapter members volunteered 708 hours on six different Chapter sponsored surveys and stream monitoring efforts and assisted other organizations on three other surveys. An additional 404 hours were logged on five Chapter restoration projects and members assisted other groups on two additional restoration projects.
The 2011 Chapter surveys and restoration projects included:
1. Fish Population surveys on two reaches of the Au Sable
2. Stream temperature monitoring of eleven site on Au Sable
3. Spring and fall insect surveys
4. Fall trout redd survey
5. River mapping of 1.5 miles of upper Au Sable
6. Cedar planting in Deward Tract of Manistee and on Grayling Mill Pond
7. Repair of in-stream structures on four miles of the Au Sable
8. Construction of trout spawning riffle in Au Sable's Williams Tract
9. Beaver Dam removal on Au Sable's East Branch
10. Removal of outdated Mdnr Quality fishing signage on Au Sable
Chapter members assisted in other surveys and projects that included:
1. Gahagan spring and fall MiCorp insect survey
2. Au Sable Watershed Council purple loosestrife survey
3. Davis Landing Site Restoration downstream of Mio
4. Huron Pines Au Sable River Road Stream Crossing Survey
Chapter members participating in these surveys and restoration projects were Terry Warrington, Joe Sprys, Mark Hendricks, Boyd Dillon, Bob Andrus, Charlie Curro, David Smith, Marie Harrington, Jim Anderson, Scott Zimostrad, Hank Melious, Bruce Patrick, Peter Jones, Mark Rais, Andy Partlo, Ralph Rucinski, Tom Buhr, Steve Sendek, Jim Wilkinson, Gene Stagner, Paul Mesack, Nick Sendek and Ian Andrus. Also assisting in the Chapter's projects were Howard Johnson, Kevin Coykendall, Kristen Thomas, Cicely Brookover, Don Boyd, and Karen Harrison.
A special thanks goes to Lisa Tobin, our Americorp Volunteer, who was instrumental in organizing and leading us in much of this years Chapter effort. During her six month tenure Lisa also mapped the 1.5 mile reach of river where the Chapter will begin the Williams Tract River Restoration Project this summer. Lisa also wrote the MDEQ permit application for the 2012 Frederic Mill Site Restoraton project.
The 2011 Chapter surveys and restoration projects included:
1. Fish Population surveys on two reaches of the Au Sable
2. Stream temperature monitoring of eleven site on Au Sable
3. Spring and fall insect surveys
4. Fall trout redd survey
5. River mapping of 1.5 miles of upper Au Sable
6. Cedar planting in Deward Tract of Manistee and on Grayling Mill Pond
7. Repair of in-stream structures on four miles of the Au Sable
8. Construction of trout spawning riffle in Au Sable's Williams Tract
9. Beaver Dam removal on Au Sable's East Branch
10. Removal of outdated Mdnr Quality fishing signage on Au Sable
Chapter members assisted in other surveys and projects that included:
1. Gahagan spring and fall MiCorp insect survey
2. Au Sable Watershed Council purple loosestrife survey
3. Davis Landing Site Restoration downstream of Mio
4. Huron Pines Au Sable River Road Stream Crossing Survey
Chapter members participating in these surveys and restoration projects were Terry Warrington, Joe Sprys, Mark Hendricks, Boyd Dillon, Bob Andrus, Charlie Curro, David Smith, Marie Harrington, Jim Anderson, Scott Zimostrad, Hank Melious, Bruce Patrick, Peter Jones, Mark Rais, Andy Partlo, Ralph Rucinski, Tom Buhr, Steve Sendek, Jim Wilkinson, Gene Stagner, Paul Mesack, Nick Sendek and Ian Andrus. Also assisting in the Chapter's projects were Howard Johnson, Kevin Coykendall, Kristen Thomas, Cicely Brookover, Don Boyd, and Karen Harrison.
A special thanks goes to Lisa Tobin, our Americorp Volunteer, who was instrumental in organizing and leading us in much of this years Chapter effort. During her six month tenure Lisa also mapped the 1.5 mile reach of river where the Chapter will begin the Williams Tract River Restoration Project this summer. Lisa also wrote the MDEQ permit application for the 2012 Frederic Mill Site Restoraton project.
Chapter Surveys and Projects
The Mason Griffith Founders Chapter conducts numerous projects and surveys on the upper Au Sable and Manistee Rivers. Much of this effort is focused on the reach of the Au Sable upstream of Grayling. Recently the Grayling Mill Pond Dam and Salling Dam, just upstream of Grayling, were removed which allowed for fish passage into the Au Sable's headwaters. The Chapter's Au Sable Headwaters Initiative focuses on improving trout habitat on this reach of the Au Sable River. Ongoing chapter surveys include insect population, stream temperature monitoring, redd surveys and fish population surveys. In past years surveys have also conducted on river mapping, stream-bank erosion, road stream crossings, invasive species and beaver dams. Recent Chapter stream improvement projects have included stream-bank erosion control, lunker structure, cedar plantings, and river access improvement.
Chapter Survey and Projects for 2012
In addition to the Chapter's on going stream monitoring surveys, the Mason Griffith Founders Chapter is planning on several reiver restoration promects for this summer and fall. Our main promect this ear will be the rive restortion promect t the old Frederic mill site shown below. Other projects will include repair of seven road end access sites, adding wood debris to the Au Sable river in the Williams tract, and the removal of beaver dams on Kolka and Bradford Creeks.
If you would like to participate in one of this years Mason Griffith Founders Chapter surveys or projects, please email randrus@netscape.com. You will be placed on the Chapter's volunteer list and be notified of dates and times for the various projects. Many of the projects are listed in the table below. This list will be updated when dates and times are determined.
Survey or Project date time
1. Kolka/Bradford Beaver Dam Removal early April
2. Deward Tract Cedar Planting mid April
3. Chapter Insect Survey April 25 4 p.m.
5. Insect Identification April 26 4 p.m.
6. Gahagan Au Sable Insect Survey June 2
7. Temperature Monitoring June 1
8. Frederic Mill Site Restoration Summer
9. Road End Access Improvement Summer
10. Williams Tract Restoration Summer
11. Gahagan Au Sable Insect Survey September 8
12. Chapter Insect Survey September 12 4 p.m.
13. Monitoring (end) September 12
14. Chapter Insect Identification September 13 4 p.m.
15. Chapter Fish Survey September 22-23
16. Chapter Trout Redd Survey November 10
2011 Chapter Project Summary
