previoius projects
Protecting our waters through on-the-ground projects
Since our origin in 1994, we have completed nearly 50 restoration projects throughout the Grand Traverse Bay watershed, bringing more than $15 million to our region to implement our watershed protection plans. As we continue to identify sites and seek funding for protection and restoration activities, check out some of the projects we have completed and their impact on preserving and improving water quality throughout the watershed.
Kids Creek Riparian Restoration
In summer 2023, we installed a one-acre stormwater wetland to intercept runoff from the north end of the Traverse City Meijer parking lot that was directly discharging significant amounts of sediment and debris into Kids Creek. Plantings in and along the sides of the wetland included more than 3,000 plugs of native flowers and grasses, along with several trees and shrubs. In fall 2023 and spring 2024, we also re-established a 30-foot vegetative buffer consisting of native trees and woody shrubs along 3,000 feet of Kids Creek and 1,800 feet of one of its tributaries. We planted 480 trees and 1,050 shrubs along these riparian areas, as well as 1,500 live stakes along the streambank. These buffers together prevent 18,000 gallons of stormwater, 1.5 tons of sediment, 19 pounds of nitrogen, and 2.5 pounds of phosphorous from entering Kids Creek each year.
Green Infrastructure in Northport
In 2024, additional green infrastructure was installed in the Village of Northport to reduce stormwater inputs to Grand Traverse Bay. The largest installation was a series of underground infiltration chambers in the Northport Public School parking lot that provides 8,760 cubic feet of storage and are estimated to infiltrate 960,000 gallons of stormwater each year. Additionally, three rain gardens were installed and one existing rain garden was refurbishes. In total, 991 square feet of rain gardens were installed that are estimated to infiltrate 69,000 gallons of stormwater each year.
Mitchell Creek Source Tracking
From 2021-2023, surface water and groundwater testing for fecal indicators (including E. coli) and other microbial source tracking genetic markers was conducted at various locations along Mitchell Creek during both wet and dry weather. Results confirmed elevated levels of E. coli during both wet and dry sampling events, though results were higher and had more widespread levels during rain events. Most of the bacterial contamination occurs in the western portion of the creek’s watershed, with little to no bacteria, fecal indicators, or source tracking markers found in the eastern tributaries of Vanderlip and Four Mile creeks.
Green Infrastructure at Meijer
As part of the Traverse City Meijer’s parking lot improvements in 2022, we installed five underground infiltration trenches under the parking lot and six connected bioretention cells along the eastern edge of their property. Previously, stormwater generated from the northern section of this store’s parking lot drained either directly into Kids Creek or into a wetland with a direct channel to the creek. As part of this project, we also worked with university researchers to monitor stormwater runoff from the parking lot before and after green infrastructure installation to determine its effectiveness.
Kids Creek Road Crossing Improvements
In 2021, three road-stream crossings were replaced on the main branch of Kids Creek where it crosses Cedar Street (twice) and 6th Street. All three culverts were removed and replaced with single concrete box culverts that were the appropriate size to help restore the natural function of the streams, reduce scouring and sedimentation, and provide a stable environment for fish and macroinvertebrates. Additionally, two crossings were entirely removed and replaced with pedestrian bridges that are much less impactful to the stream but still maintain connectivity and walkability in the community.
Green Infrastructure in Elk Rapids
In 2020, we retrofitted landscaped strips along River Street into four rain gardens by excavating and planting them with native species to provide more stormwater volume storage and and treatment through increased infiltration rates. In 2022, we installed additional areas of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater inputs into Grand Traverse Bay. The first was a series of two underground infiltration trenches on Cedar Street near River Street. Next, we installed a series of six rain gardens in the village right-of-way along Cedar Street between First and Third streets.
Green Infrastructure in Suttons Bay
In 2013, we implemented a series of green infrastructure practices to reduce the amount of stormwater and associated pollutants entering Grand Traverse Bay. Installations included 18 rain gardens along roadways in the residential section of the village and 3,600 feet of underground infiltration trenches in alleys behind businesses along M-22 and Front Street. Additionally, the stormdrain lines from Broadway and Madison streets were combined so the remaining stormwater not infiltrated is redirected into an existing wetland.