Saginaw Bay and River Natural Resource Damage Assessment

Tobico Marsh Restoration

The Saginaw Bay and River NRDA settlement provided for restoration of water flows in Tobico Marsh. Water levels in the marsh are affected by rising and falling water levels in Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, a water control weir designed to keep water in during low lake levels, a flap gate designed to keep water out during high lake levels, culverts under roads which cross the marsh, county drains that either contribute or divert water headed to the marsh, beaver activity, and irrigation practices in the watershed.

The goal of the restoration effort is "to facilitate to the extent practicable, natural fluctuations of water levels within Tobico Marsh, while providing adequate flood protection to residences riparian to Tobico Marsh."

In November of 2004, we automated the operation of the flap gate, upgraded road culverts at Parish Road, and provided for the long-term maintenance of those structures under the direction of the Bay City State Recreation Area. As discussed in the restoration plan for Tobico Marsh, these are the activities that contribute to the restoration goals, are feasible, and can be implemented at this time given existing water management issues in the watershed. Take a virtual tour of Tobico Marsh.

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