Recipient Organization
STATE UNIV OF NEW YORK
(N/A)
SYRACUSE,NY 13210
Performing Department
Environmental & Forest Biology
Non Technical Summary
The partnership recognizes that an effective monitoring program is essentialto document the short- and long-term success of the restoration efforts.Wetland succession, invasive species, ecological function, and effects ofwater level management are key areas of investigation in the upper St.Lawrence River to document the response to the regional scale restorationefforts proposed here in context of the IJC system wide regulation of waterlevels. We will monitor locations within the three enhancement areas and inthree reference wetlands where no enhancement activities are taking place.The focus will be on documenting faunal linkages to habitat and connectivityenhancements especially potadromous fish (e.g. northern pike}, but also otherkey indicator~species (muskrats, avifauna, and herpetofauna} and ecosystem(vegetation and lower trophic levels} and biogeochemical processes (nutrients)sensitive to hydrology and enhancement measures. This comprehensive approachwill provide a.detailed assessment of the proposed enhancement measures andwill also help guide understanding of IJC water-level regulation effects oncoastal marsh ecology.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
An important goal of the restoration/enhancement program is to develop methodsthat can be used within the existing water level management regime of the St.Lawrence River. Channels and potholes will be designed and excavated throughthe cattail mat to enhance fish passage. Fluvial dynamics will also befactored into the placement and design of channels and potholes, utilizingcurrents and high flows to prolong the habitat values of the restoration work.
Project Methods
Methods include water level manipulation andstabilization, removal of cattail by mechanical means to create passage forfish to and from spawning areas, removal of cattail in open potholes forspawning pools, and enhancement of muskrat habitat. The project will impactapproximately 110 acres. This will include seven acres of spawning beds to beexcavated within the marshes and creation of at least 3, 51-6 _linear feet ofmeandering channels for fish passage. Two fish ladder water control structureswill be installed or enhanced and at least one road culvert replaced orimproved to enhance fish passage.