Over 95% of the original wetland habitats along the U.S. shoreline of western Lake Erie has been lost since the 1860s. Most of the remaining coastal wetlands have been isolated by earthen dikes and no longer provide many of the functions of coastal wetlands (e.g., fish habitat). Unfortunately, most of the few remaining undiked wetlands are severely degraded. They remain hydrologically connected to the lake, but the wetland vegetation that provides vital fish habitat is sufficiently degraded to negatively impact the approximately 43 species of Great Lakes fishes that use wetland habitats.

Supported by the Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes National Program Office (EPA GLNPO), a restoration research project was initiated on the drowned-river mouth wetlands at Crane Creek, a small stream flowing into western Lake Erie on Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Since historical descriptions of the study site suggest a much broader expanse of wetlands than the current 345 ha (852 ac) in and near the Crane Creek channel, the diked wetlands bordering the creek are being examined to evaluate options for long-term ecological restoration.

The study will evaluate a new restoration method and effectively add habitat to Lake Erie by working to reestablish wetland vegetation in a test section of the marsh and exploring whether additional habitat locked up in diked wetlands can be returned to the lake by hydrologically reconnecting them to Lake Erie. Restoration of these wetlands also may create good habitat for struggling native clam populations. Located in the Maumee River Area of Concern as designated by the EPA Remedial Action Plan, this project addresses many of the high-priority research areas identified by the 1998 EPA Science Advisory Board report on marsh management and restores critical coastal wetland habitat, identified as a special focus area in the Great Lakes Strategy and identified as a priority by the Council of Great Lakes Governors. Lessons learned through this project will be applicable to similar wetland restorations basin-wide.

Ecological restoration of the Crane Creek wetland complex has two research objectives:

1) Testing techniques to reestablish wetland vegetation and
2) Evaluate the potential to hydrologically reconnect the creek, wetlands, and nearshore zone of Lake Erie.

Crane Creek Fact Sheet