NOAA and our partners’ efforts to restore portions of the Detroit River are creating critical spawning and nursery habitat for native fish and improving the health of the river ecosystem. We’re helping ensure the river remains part of the “Walleye Capital of the World” and a haven for other species like lake sturgeon, northern pike, and smallmouth bass.
A History of Pollution and Industrialization
Prior to industrialization, the Detroit River was once a complex ecosystem of rivers, streams, and wetlands. This international river follows the border between the United States and Canada. Due to its location for shipping, the area eventually became part of a massive industrial economy, including shipbuilding, steelmaking, and automobile manufacturing.
As industry and commerce grew, dramatic changes occurred. The river was deepened and its shoreline hardened, tributaries channelized, and wetlands filled. It also became a dumping area for industrial waste.
These physical changes and industrial pollution eliminated important habitat for the fish and wildlife that rely on the Detroit River. In 1987, the river was added to the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern—areas of environmental degradation located in the United States and Canada.
Areas of Concern are designated based on a list of 14 beneficial use impairments. They indicate how a waterway’s poor health is affecting the environment, human health, and the economy. On the Detroit River, loss of fish and wildlife habitat is one of the major beneficial use impairments affecting the health of the ecosystem.
Partnering to Restore Habitat
Since 2013, NOAA has partnered with the Friends of the Detroit River and others to implement projects that address the loss of fish and wildlife habitat. We are making progress toward removing the Detroit River from the list of Areas of Concern. We have provided millions in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding for projects in and along the river.
Much of the Detroit River shoreline is heavily developed and not suitable for spawning and nursery habitat. Because of this, we have targeted undeveloped islands for restoration. Fish can take refuge in submerged aquatic vegetation in the slow moving water on the downstream facing parts of the islands.
One effort that recently completed construction is on Sugar Island, part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. High winds and strong waves caused severe erosion on the island, smothering habitat needed by fish for spawning. With funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, we supported construction of a series of off-shore shoals. They will help prevent erosion and protect more than 20 acres of shallow, calm fish nursery and spawning habitat.
Similar habitat restoration work has been completed at Celeron Island, Stony Island, Belle Isle, and Pointe Hennepin.
“What amazed me the most about our Detroit River restoration projects was how quickly local fish and wildlife populations moved into the habitat features around our projects,” says Robert Burns, Detroit Riverkeeper for Friends of the Detroit River. “At our Celeron Island project, for example, we added fish spawning gravel. The next spring we observed many smallmouth bass building nests in the gravel to lay their eggs. A local fisherman who had fished in this area for many years said he couldn’t believe how good the fishing had become since the project was completed.”
The saying “build it and they will come” seems to hold true for habitat restoration.
Partners
NOAA has collaborated with many partners in our work to restore habitat on the Detroit River, including:
- Friends of the Detroit River
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- US Environmental Protection Agency
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Michigan Environment Great Lakes and Energy
- Detroit Historical Society
- Detroit Zoological Society
- Belle Isle Conservancy
