Assessment and mapping of Civilian Conservation Corps structures on the Maple River in Emmet County, Michigan.

Abstract

The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the condition of in-stream structures created by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) on the Combined Branch of the Maple River in Emmet County, MI. These structures were put in place to create fish habitats and spawning areas for Trout species that are not indigenous to the Maple River. On July 31st and August 3rd of 2013, we traveled down the stretch of the Maple River between Lake Kathleen and Brutus Road to locate and assess the status of the CCC constructed trout habitats. A total of 49 CCC structured were mapped and surveyed. The locations of trout spawning areas provided to us from Trout Unlimited, in addition to our Google map database, allowed us to identify which structures were in close proximity to redds. Also, we identified structures that were in poor in quality due to sediment accumulation from soil erosion. For future assessment of trout habitat we recommend every two years evaluation of the condition of CCC structures. We hope our Google Map database provides the grounds for future surveys to improve trout conditions in the Maple River.