Adams Trout Blog

Through a partnership between the Grand Traverse Conservation District and the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, seven streambank erosion sites were restored, four along the North Branch of the Boardman River and three on Kids Creek. Two sites along the North Branch were restored through Adams Chapter work bees. Newly elected Director Gabe Schwarz-Schneider and Zane Gum are shown here hard at work on one of the sites. Other volunteers not shown are Ken Gum, Steve Largent, Boardman River Intern Brad Wheat, Ben Purdy, and Gabe's Dad Tom.

The Boardman River Dams Committee (BRDC) has requested the City and County to authorize the issue of work orders to the engineering firm Environmental Consulting & Technology for the purpose of making recommendations for the fate of the four dams on the Boardman River in Grand Traverse County. This study will take approximately eighteen months to complete given adequate funding. The study will analyze the social, environmental, engineering, and economic benefits of removal or maintaining any or all of the dams. The Army Corp of Engineers are also conducting a study of the Boardman River Dams and both groups are encouraged to work together to avoid duplication of efforts and cost.

One of the latest developments that has come up is that the county is required to lower the Boardman pond by seventeen feet due to engineering concerns expressed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and FERC. This request is driven by the present design of the dam in question as to safety concerns related to high volumes of rain and water runoff. - Jack Murray

The five-year MDEQ permit to maintain three sand traps on the Boardman River expired last summer. New permits must be secured before the traps can be maintained. Grand Traverse Conservation District staff is hoping to renew the permits yet this winter but must determine how to dispose of nearly 5,000 cubic yards of clean fill located near the North Branch trap off Guernsey Lake Road, across from the Sand Lakes Quiet Area.

Since construction in 1994, an estimated 6,000 cubic yards of sand has been removed from North Branch of the Boardman River. Acontractor hauled away approximately 1,000 cubic yards a couple years ago, but the last cleanout this past summer filled the stor- age area to capacity. The current spoil storage area is only a couple hundred yards, at most, from the trap site. If the existing spoils are left where they are, subsequent spoils generated from future maintenance would have to be hauled several miles away, greatly increasing maintenance costs. District staff is work- ing with the Road Commission hoping they can use the extra fill on a nearby road project.

Interested in honing your fly tying skills or becoming initiated in the art? We are fortunate enough to have a couple wonderful options this winter right here in Traverse City.

THE NORTHERN ANGLER - Beginner classes will begin the week of January 8th from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays. Intermediate classes will begin the same week and will be held on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The classes will go on for six weeks. Call Kirk Novak at the Northern Angler - Phone: 231-933- 4730 for details.

STREAMSIDE ORVIS - The Orvis shop on front street is offering classes on Monday and Wednesday also starting the week of January 8th. The classes will go for eight weeks and the time will be from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Call Dave Leonhard at the Streamside Orvis shop - Phone: 231-933-9300 for details.