Our Team has expertise in stream and wetland restoration, terrestrial and aquatic ecological assessments, construction oversight, permitting, and project management. Our team has a total of over 60 years of combined experience in geomorphic assessment, design and implementation of Natural Channel Projects totaling over 50 miles and over 1,000 acres of wetlands restoration. Our team members are trained and well versed in Natural Channel Design (NCD), including two team members that are Level IV Rosgen certified and have served as instructors in Rosgen courses throughout the country
PROJECT EXPERTISE
- Site Selection/Evaluation
- Mitigation Design
- Mitigation Construction
- Planting Plans
- Native Seeding/Planting
- Mitigation Monitoring
- Geomorphic Assessments
- Predicting Mitigation Needs
- Stream Identification
- Cost Estimates
- Conservation Easements
- EGLE Permitting
- Local and State Approvals
The Upper River Raisin Watershed Restoration and Connectivity Project (URRWRCP) is an ongoing project involving the removal of the Brooklyn Dam, restoration of approximately 2,600 ft. of the River Raisin utilizing Natural Channel Design (NCD) through the former impoundment, replacement of the Bridge Street bridge, and construction of natural rock arch rapids over Nooney Dam. Niswander Environmental is partnering with the River Raisin Watershed Council, Jackson County Drain Office, Village of Brooklyn, DNR, MDOT, EGLE, USFWS, Green Watershed Restoration, and Five Smooth Stones in order to complete this project. The Brooklyn Dam is 1 of 85 dams in the State of Michigan that EGLE classifies as High Hazard Potential as loss of life and severe impacts are expected if a dam failure occurred. The dam was constructed in 1939 and was used to supply hydroelectricity for the adjacent manufacturing plant. The dam is no longer used to supply hydroelectric power but had been in operation as recently as 2006.
The URRWRCP is being funded by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Please visit the River Raisin Watershed Council website at this link https://www.riverraisin.org/brooklyn-dam-removal to get updates on the Upper River Raisin Watershed Connectivity and Restoration Project.
Niswander Environmental (NE) restored 1,700 feet Peters Creek upstream of the previous 600 feet of restoration conducted in 2019. NE and Green Watershed Restoration (GWR) conducted design work and developed the monitoring plan collaboratively with EGLE. The streambank was restored by reducing the slope on failing banks, increasing bank storage for higher flow events, and placing toe wood at critical locations. The restoration will reduce pollutants reaching Peters Creek and the Macatawa River.
Natural Channel Design (NCD) techniques were used to obtain the proper pattern, profile and dimension of the stream and utilizing structures with natural wood material (e.g., toewood, log vanes, log riffle) to assist in meeting design criteria. Stream planform, cross section, profile and structures including toe-wood, vane structures and riffles within the project reach are stable and functioning as designed. The Peters Creek Restoration Project was funded by both the ODC Network’s Project Clarity Initiative and EGLE’s Non-Point Source Program (319) grant funding.
The Portage Creek Restoration Project was constructed to restore and protect otherwise fully functional waters located immediately downstream of a designated trout stream. The project improved longitudinal connectivity by removing the dam. It helps balance sediment transport and prevent head cuts that could limit small fish migration. Lateral floodplain connectivity was improved by grading the banks and floodplain area to reduce bank height ratios following the dam removal. Restoration of glides, riffles, inner berms, pools and the addition of wood structures such as toe-wood, brush-toe and woody material incorporated in riffles to increase and improve habitat complexity and spawning habitat.
A video of the project 1 year after construction can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=396HMsQtKa8
The Peters Creek Restoration Project reduced ongoing erosion and channel instability as well as served as a Natural Channel Design (NCD) demonstration project in southwest Michigan. NCD techniques were used to obtain the proper pattern, profile and dimension of the stream and utilizing structures with natural wood material to (e.g., toewood, log vanes, log riffle) to assist in meeting design criteria. NCD was used to stabilize the stream which was undergoing significant streambank erosion and channel bottom downcutting prior to the project. To create a stable stream reach, the channel was sized and relocated to meet reference conditions. Bankfull (floodplain) benches were created along the entire restoration stream reach. Other design features included the use of toewood to reduce velocities and near bank shear stress resulting in decreased bank erosion, installation of a j-hook log vane to direct velocity vectors away from the bank, and the construction of log riffle to serve as grade control. The Peters Creek Restoration Project was funded by both the ODC Network’s Project Clarity Initiative and EGLE’s Non-Point Source Program (319) grant funding and is recognized as an EPA success story.
