Policy

Stream Restoration

In the U.S., many resources are spent to manage stream ecosystems, including efforts to restore degraded streams.  With very little of this money going to monitor before and after restoration, resource managers do not have much information about the effectiveness of varying types of restoration projects.   Therefore how such funds can be spent most cost effectively is unknown.  CAC scientists are working to fill this knowledge gap.

Juday Creek Golf Course-Evaluating Stream Restoration

  In 1997, 2800 feet of a cold water stream in northern Indiana were relocated during the construction of a golf course at the University of Notre Dame. This provided CAC researcher Gary Lamberti and his team with an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of restoration efforts and thus to provide guidance to resource managers and decision-makers on future restoration projects.  The Lamberti group, as well as researchers from Ronald Hellenthal’s research group, monitored the biotic responses before and after restoration in the two restored stretches of stream, as well as in an unrestored stream section.  While monitoring continues today and many aspects of the restored areas have improved or surpassed their unrestored state, others, such as fish biomass in one restored section, have been disappointing.  Researchers noted that continual upstream silt loading and lack of pool habitat have contributed to the lack of fish increases. Increases in habitat quality for adults may not always lead to increases in fish biomass and density if habitat needs for young fish are not met by the restoration. Such findings are important to resource managers as they plan future stream restorations.