Recently, some of the LMWCC members asked what tree species private landowners should look to plant to replace the ash trees that are currently dying. The question was posed to some of our MDNR Foresters, and the response is below. Thanks to Forester Blair Tweedale for a well-thought response!
In regards to your email, I would plant a mixture of black spruce and tamarack (50:50); with white pine in some areas. Black spruce and tamarack will do well in areas with a high water table. Black spruce thrive in poor soils, but can be found on some richer soil types, along with tamarack. White pine could also do good in certain locations. White pine grows on all soil types, and will do best mostly on the edges of the flood plain and on little ridges throughout. They can survive in higher water table areas also. The following notes should help determine where and how to plant these trees so they survive, and become beneficial to the watershed.
Black spruce is shade tolerant, so you can plant these trees in open sunlight, dead ash snag areas, or somewhat shaded stands. Where we have lost large expanses of our ash, plant a black spruce and tamarack mix, with approximately 8 ft X 8 ft spacing (this will give you about 680 trees per acre) on hummocks or dryer patches, not in standing water. Planting at this volume should result in a fully stocked stand, creating shade along our trout streams in the near future. Deer will not (well, should not) browse black spruce or tamarack. However, planting these trees in areas of thick grasses and sedges will inhibit their growth. I would recommend trimming the grasses around these planted trees 3 feet in all directions. Of course, trimming the grasses would not “control” competition. There are also tree mats (Vispore Tree Mats ) that I have seen used in areas where grasses and sedges are a problem. These add initial cost to a project, but can maximize your seedling growth and survival.
Planting white pine is another option. Planting white pine in areas that are on the edge of the flood plain, and on higher spots (hummocks or ridges) throughout. White pine is much more likely to survive than black spruce and tamarack on areas that are a little direr. However, deer may or may not browse white pine in these areas. I have seen deer browse white pine in some areas, and leave it alone in others. White pine can be longer lived and more readily reproduce naturally. Once large white pine are established on site, expect new seedlings to show up. Sedges and grasses with inhibit the initial growth, but white pine are probably more tolerant to the grass competition. Tree mats would help their initial survival.
A mixture of these three tree species, given the location, would be my recommendation.
Tree mats (bundle of 100): http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/Products.asp?mi=16221&itemnum=43586
http://pacforest.com/Item/87
Craft paper mulch mats: http://pacforest.com/Item/85
100’ roll: http://www.gardeners.com/buy/biodegradable-weed-mat/37-434.html
Tree mat staples (box of 1000): http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/Products.asp?mi=67411&itemnum=25019&redir=Y
![tree-mat](http://www.lmwcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/tree-mat-300x171.png)
Blair A. Tweedale Jr.
Forester
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Last Updated: June 9, 2020 by lmwcc
Replacing Dead and Dying Ash Trees
Recently, some of the LMWCC members asked what tree species private landowners should look to plant to replace the ash trees that are currently dying. The question was posed to some of our MDNR Foresters, and the response is below. Thanks to Forester Blair Tweedale for a well-thought response!
In regards to your email, I would plant a mixture of black spruce and tamarack (50:50); with white pine in some areas. Black spruce and tamarack will do well in areas with a high water table. Black spruce thrive in poor soils, but can be found on some richer soil types, along with tamarack. White pine could also do good in certain locations. White pine grows on all soil types, and will do best mostly on the edges of the flood plain and on little ridges throughout. They can survive in higher water table areas also. The following notes should help determine where and how to plant these trees so they survive, and become beneficial to the watershed.
Black spruce is shade tolerant, so you can plant these trees in open sunlight, dead ash snag areas, or somewhat shaded stands. Where we have lost large expanses of our ash, plant a black spruce and tamarack mix, with approximately 8 ft X 8 ft spacing (this will give you about 680 trees per acre) on hummocks or dryer patches, not in standing water. Planting at this volume should result in a fully stocked stand, creating shade along our trout streams in the near future. Deer will not (well, should not) browse black spruce or tamarack. However, planting these trees in areas of thick grasses and sedges will inhibit their growth. I would recommend trimming the grasses around these planted trees 3 feet in all directions. Of course, trimming the grasses would not “control” competition. There are also tree mats (Vispore Tree Mats ) that I have seen used in areas where grasses and sedges are a problem. These add initial cost to a project, but can maximize your seedling growth and survival.
Planting white pine is another option. Planting white pine in areas that are on the edge of the flood plain, and on higher spots (hummocks or ridges) throughout. White pine is much more likely to survive than black spruce and tamarack on areas that are a little direr. However, deer may or may not browse white pine in these areas. I have seen deer browse white pine in some areas, and leave it alone in others. White pine can be longer lived and more readily reproduce naturally. Once large white pine are established on site, expect new seedlings to show up. Sedges and grasses with inhibit the initial growth, but white pine are probably more tolerant to the grass competition. Tree mats would help their initial survival.
A mixture of these three tree species, given the location, would be my recommendation.
Tree mats (bundle of 100): http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/Products.asp?mi=16221&itemnum=43586
http://pacforest.com/Item/87
Craft paper mulch mats: http://pacforest.com/Item/85
100’ roll: http://www.gardeners.com/buy/biodegradable-weed-mat/37-434.html
Tree mat staples (box of 1000): http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/Products.asp?mi=67411&itemnum=25019&redir=Y
Blair A. Tweedale Jr.
Forester
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Last Updated: June 10, 2018 by lmwcc
Johnson Bridge River Access Project
A better way to access the river is now available where the Johnson Bridge crosses the Little Manistee.
LMWCC member and TiKi Lodge owner was concerned about how the steep bank at the bridge was eroding into the river due to the foot traffic of people accessing the river at this site. He asked the LMWCC to look into a solution to prevent the erosion and divert river users onto a new path. LMWCC vice president, Jim Squiers, along with members Joyce Durdel and Lou Fitz, consulted with Steve Leonard of the Lake County Road Commisson about a possible plan to address the property owner’s concerns and that would also be acceptable to the road commission that holds the right-of-way at this site.
Through the collaborative efforts of the LCRC, the TiKi Lodge owner, and funding by the Jay Jorgensen Family Foundation through the LMWCC, an access ramp designed by Steve Leonard was installed before the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Some natural landscaping and finishing touches will be added soon to complete the project.
Pictured below, Lou Fitz observes the progress while LCRC’s Kelly Gallentine, Josh Myers and Randy Sparks start work on the ramp by the Johnson Bridge.
Last Updated: June 7, 2022 by lmwcc
Stronach Township vs county article in Manistee News
A recent article published in the Manistee News Advocate discusses the disagreement between Stronach Township and the county on a recent decision made by the township.
Read the full article here: Manistee News Advocate-Stronach Twp County at Odds 032615
Jim Squier, LMWCC vice president and administrator is quoted in the article, including this last impactful statement, leaving readers with something to think about:
“The bottom line is, this is bigger than Stronach Township; it’s bigger than just the people who live on the river,” he said. “This affects the entire watershed, the entire state, the entire Great Lakes region.”
Last Updated: June 7, 2022 by lmwcc
Trout Unlimited presents 2014 Fish Habitat Report
Trout Unlimited’s Dr. Bryan Burroughs presented a summary of last summer’s ‘Instream Fish Habitat Assessment’ of the Little Manistee River to the LMWCC Board and members on February 7, 2015 at the Elk Township Hall.
Read more about the presentation and download the report here.
Last Updated: June 7, 2022 by lmwcc
2014 Water Quality and Macroinvertebrate Survey Results
The results of our 2014 Water Quality and Macroinvertebrate surveys are in.
2014 Macroinvertebrate Survey Results
Last Updated: June 7, 2022 by lmwcc
Students at Tippy Dam Learn about the Little Manistee River
May 22, 2014 – 5th & 6th graders from Brethern learning about Macroinvertabrates at Tippy Dan guided by LMWCC volunteer Joyce Durdel. It was a first experience by the river for many of the students.
Last Updated: June 7, 2022 by lmwcc
Spring is here! You’d look great in a river hat :)
Shirts, hats and tees are on sale for the holidays!
Shirts $15
Hats $12
Signs $40 – Great for a dock on the river or deck near by! See them on bridge crossings here
Items can be picked up be picked up at Eden Twp. Hall on May 3 (and the first Sat. of each month), at 10am or email us on the contact page.
Last Updated: June 7, 2022 by lmwcc
Little Manistee River Weir Trout and Salmon Counts 1968-2013
From our Fall/Winter 2013 Newsletter…
A statement from the DNR about the operations of the weir:
Our Chinook salmon target has ranged between 5 and 7 million eggs in the last few years. Chinook salmon have been averaging about 4,000 eggs/female over the last few years, so that would be roughly 1,250 pairs that we spawned to get our eggs. Ten years ago when the salmon were larger, we could get 5,000 eggs/female, but that number has dropped as the size of the fish has dropped in the last decade.
For steelhead, the target is usually right around 4 million eggs. The steelhead in recent years have averaged about 4200 eggs/female, so we’re spawning between 900 and 1000 pairs to get enough eggs.
Spring Steelhead
The weir is normally put in place sometime during the first two weeks of March, depending on weather. The weir remains in place until the quota of steelhead eggs is reached. This usually occurs by the middle of April, but may run later depending on weather. While the weir is in place, all fish passage is blocked. During egg-take operations, unripe “green” steelhead are usually counted and passed upstream, to sustain the “wild” Little Manistee River steelhead run. Once the quota of eggs is reached, the weir grates are removed, allowing steelhead to jump the dam and proceed upstream.
Fall Salmon
The weir is usually put in place on, or about August 15th, and removed on, or about November 15th. While the weir is in place, all fish passage is blocked. Chinook salmon eggs are taken usually during the first two weeks of October. All steelhead and brown trout that show up at the weir during the fall are counted and passed upstream.
Little Manistee River Weir
Trout and Salmon Counted Spring and Fall
Historical Data 1968 – 2013
Year
Spring Steelhead
Chinook
Coho
Fall Steelhead
Fall Brown Trout
1968
1,640
11,230
60,248
1,322
28
1969
996
26,288
25,186
3,043
36
1970
1,405
34,190
108,400
7,411
123
1971
5,031
21,213
59,123
7,622
69
1972
7,403
24,994
2,314
3,561
5
1973
6,588
16,476
11,872
1,926
48
1974
3,684
24,156
6,129
3,488
161
1975
7,183
29,228
15,863
6,121
238
1976
1,874
16,159
24,505
578
106
1977
10,480
11,136
25,255
2,031
98
1978
7,240
20,230
23,696
320
51
1979
3,540
22,925
27,925
640
100
1980
4,505
15,761
50,004
1,111
28
1981
6,307
11,811
14,656
849
101
1982
4,100
14,358
18,458
347
62
1983
5,091
39,359
26,968
3,100
43
1984
7,950
32,632
33,982
1,909
141
1985
6,517
34,006
15,256
6,356
177
1986
7,036
22,131
16,724
4,720
99
1987
6,315
31,841
15,101
1,450
48
1988
8,432
12,519
4,467
1,050
27
1989
5,102
18,338
14,023
1,130
29
1990
4,411
19,499
10,030
1,521
55
1991
6,109
21,067
12,300
3,666
113
1992
4,597
15,866
13,441
3,054
104
1993
6,156
12,911
18,096
1,702
118
1994
4,411
11,886
562
2,849
126
1995
3,553
13,004
394
351
31
1996
9,057
17,090
2,572
5,249
174
1997
7,096
15,433
781
915
123
1998
4,005
7,170
1,463
888
28
1999
4,484
18,621
519
662
39
2000
4,239
13,029
600
319
74
2001
7,029
18,279
911
2,262
59
2002
6,290
19,385
538
120
38
2003
3,209
14,419
616
1,404
43
2004
2,571
15,618
1,102
1,074
60
2005
3,483
11,075
2,100
665
53
2006
2,949
12,772
238
417
56
2007
2,880
10,946
303
738
50
2008
3,441
5,169
172
406
58
2009
4,191
8,274
126
343
86
2010
1,961
5,776
203
91
32
2011
3,196
14,124
1,815
901
40
2012
4,818
12,327
1,333
283
103
2013
3,667
6,427
1,021
988
80
TOTAL
226,219
811,148
671,391
90,953
3,561
Average
4,918
17,634
14,595
1,977
77
Last Updated: June 7, 2022 by lmwcc
Little Manistee River Water Quality Survey 2013
As is evident from the chart above, the e.coli numbers from 9 Mile Bridge down to Stronach Road are excessively high. A later sampling done on the 7th of August found those readings considerably lower and consistent with historical numbers. Also the dissolved oxygen content in the water on the July sampling date were low, but later testing in August found those to be higher and more in keeping with historical averages. There is a direct correlation between dissolved oxygen in the water and air temperature, and as July 8 was a cool day, it was expected those readings would have been higher. The other numbers indicate a very healthy river.
A discussion of the chemical compounds in water and their effect on the health of a stream can be found here.
Results from both 7/8/13 and 8/7/13: Water-Quality-Results-2013
Last Updated: June 7, 2022 by lmwcc
Extra, Extra! Fall/Winter 2013 Little River News Hits Mailboxes
A lot of great updates from 2013 LMWCC activities – including the Annual Member Meeting, Macro Invertebrate Study, Water Quality Study and an update from the Little Man Weir on salmon and steelhead counts. Check it out!
LMWCC-Newsletter-FW-2013
If there’s something more you’d like to see in upcoming newsletters, drop us a line!