The Ottawa Hills Dam Decommissioning Project Constructed August

The Ottawa Hills Dam Decommissioning Project. Constructed: August 2008

t Limit This project will encompass the bends immediately upstream and downstream of the former dam site US Projec Existing riffle constructed by ODOT DS Project Limit At the request of the Village of Ottawa Hills we did not work in this bend even though the vertical bank is 7 ft tall and the water over 7 ft deep!! Conceptual Design Illustration of Restoration Site by Matt Horvat of TMACOG

The Ottawa Hills Dam Decommissioning Project The dam was removed by Ohio-DOT in November 2007. The project described in this Power. Point is designed to reduce bank erosion and protect public infrastructure (two roads), create aquatic & riparian habitat, improve streamside vegetation, assist with improving the riparian area, provide benches & stepping stones for public stream enjoyment and access, and still have the existing mowed floodplain recreation areas for public use!

OHIO DOT REMOVING THE SECOR ROAD DAM NOV-DEC 2007

Looking from left bank at the Secor Road dam. OTTAWA R-DAM REMOVAL @ OTTAWA HILLS-PIX BY MATT HORVAT-2007

Typical condition US of the Secor Road dam. OTTAWA R-DAM REMOVAL @ OTTAWA HILLS-PIX BY MATT HORVAT-2007

Looking from left bank @ trackhoe removing the dam. OTTAWA RIVER-DAM REMOVAL @ OTTAWA HILLS-PIX-LAWRENCE-2007

Looking US @ trackhoes removing dam OTTAWA RIVER-DAM REMOVAL @ OTTAWA HILLS-PIX-LAWRENCE-2007

Looking US. Dam out, right bank sheetpile out, concrete riffle in. Left bank sheetpile will stay. OTTAWA RIVER-DAM REMOVAL @ OTTAWA HILLS-PIX-HORVAT - 2007

PRE-PROJECT PHOTOS STARTING FROM UPSTREAM TO DOWNSTREAM by Dave Derrick AUGUST 20, 2008

Looking DS. High velocity current is eroding the right bank, then crosses over & erodes the left bank in the crossing. Note how deep Matt is. Matt went in over his head when he ventured near the right bank. At the request of the Village of Ottawa Hills, the right bank was not stabilized. PRE-PROJECT-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -20 -2008

Looking DS @ left eroded bank in the crossing & the upper portion of the US project bend. PRE-PROJECT-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -20 -2008

Looking US @ the lower end of the US project bend PRE-PROJECT-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -20 -2008

At the former dam site, looking US into the US bend PRE-PROJECT-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -20 -2008

Looking DS @ the DS project bend. Hill Ditch tributary comes in just US of the bend. PRE-PROJECT-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -20 -2008

Looking DS @ the DS project bend & the Secor Road bridge. PRE-PROJECT-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -20 -2008

Looking DS. The protection will tie into the existing bridge abutment protection right here. PRE-PROJECT-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -20 -2008

THE PLAN

t Limit This project will encompass the bends upstream and downstream of the former dam site US Projec Existing riffle constructed by ODOT DS Project Limit At the request of the Village of Ottawa Hills we did not work in this bend even though the vertical bank is 7 ft tall and the water over 7 ft deep!! Conceptual Design Illustration of Restoration Site by Matt Horvat of TMACOG

EQUIPMENT

The Cat 330 tracked back hoe with a 4 ft wide bucket, 25 ft reach, weight about 70, 000 pounds CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

STONE & STONE STAGING

SUITABLE STONE Stone used for keys and LPSTP was a well-graded, self-adjusting, selffiltering Class A Stone with a size of 18” to 36” on the “B” axis. Stone for the Bendway Weirs & Traffic Control Stones was a specially produced armor stone that varied from 2’ by 3’ to 4’ by 5’.

Dumping “A”stone-18 to 36 inch sized stone CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Staged “A”-stone and armor stone CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

THE BEND IMMEDIATELY UPSTREAM OF THE FORMER DAM LOCATION

Methodologies for the Upstream Bend w Traffic Control Stones with short Bendway Weirs w Vegetated keys w Transplanted clumps of shrubs w Hydraulic Cover Stones w Planned fall 2008: Container plantings of dogwoods, fast and slow growing shade trees, chokecherry, buttonbush, & other shrubs for food, pollinators, etc.

A KEY HAS ONE MAIN JOB, TO CONNECT THE RIVER TRAINING STRUCTURE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD (DON’T LET THE STREAM GET BEHIND {FLANK} RIVER TRAINING STRUCTURES)

CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS by Dave Derrick & Matt Horvat August 20 -25, 2008

Detail for key Flow Cross-section for keyway

Looking uphill at the dug key trench Flow CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Detail for key Flow Place some stone & soil in the trench

Placing some graded “A” stone and soil in the trench Flow CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Detail for key Flow Place Willow Poles against DS side of trench.

Placing willow poles in the key trench CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Key will be extended uphill where the hoe is parked Flow CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Detail for key Flow Place the remainder of the stone in the trench

Placing “A” stone within 1 ft of the surface of the trench CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Detail for key Flow Choke stone with soil & water in.

Backfill with native soils. CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Detail for key Flow Backfill and overfill with native soils, then compact (some settling will still occur)

Compacting soil over key. Note poles on DS side of key CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

TRAFFIC CONTROL STONES

WHAT IS THE LOWER LIMIT OF HARD BANK PROTECTION? AND MORE IMPORTANT, HOW CAN WE REACH IT?

TRAFFIC CONTROL STONES (TCS) WITH SINGLE-STONE OR SHORT BENDWAY WEIRS

Traffic Control Stones for the US project bend Drawn by Matt Horvat, TMACOG

Drawn by Matt Horvat, TMACOG

Key TCS Key SSBW W TCS B SS TCS Traffic Control Stones with Single Stone Bendway Weirs TCS TCS Key TCS W B SS Large stones (3 ft by 3 ft) designed to “kick” flow off the bank, must be keyed into the bed & bank, spaced 6 to 8 ft apart, every 3 rd one should be keyed into the bank. Every 3 rd stone has a Single Stone or short Bendway Weir.

Key TCS Key W TCS B SS TCS Traffic Control Stones with Single Stone Bendway Weirs TCS SSBW TCS Key TCS W B SS Willow, dogwood, & buttonbush Live Stakes & poles were installed along with the TCS. Rooted stock plants will be installed this fall or spring

Track hoe digs a pit. Willow, dogwood, & buttonbush poles are placed around backside of pit CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Looking DS @ Traffic Control Stone being placed in pit CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Looking DS @ key, TCS, BW, & adventitious rooting poles TCS TCS TCS BW CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

How Do Bendway Weirs Work? w Water flowing over the weir is redirected at an angle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the weir. w With weirs angled upstream the erosive flow (energy) is directed away from the outer bank and toward the inner part of the bend. w Strong secondary currents (helical flow) in bend are broken up. w A set of weirs are designed to act as a system to capture, control, and redirect current directions and velocities through the bend and into the downstream crossing. w Last weir in system can aim flow (and channel thalweg) where you need it.

Looking DS @ TCS. Hoe is stuck in unconsolidated muck CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Looking DS @ hoe filling tracks. CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Looking US @ the row of TCS @ the upper end of the bend. CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Looking US @ center of bend (impact area). No mature vegetation on bank, so TCS are placed closer together. CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Looking DS toward the former dam location. Placing TCS CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Looking US @ the TCS near the DS end of the bend. CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Looking US. Dense brush & trees make TCS placement difficult CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -2008

Resting rocks in the upper bend. CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-HORVAT 8 -2008

Raking, seeding, and spreading weed-free straw. CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-HORVAT 8 -2008

Spreading straw. CONSTRUCTION-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-HORVAT 8 -2008

THE UPSTREAM BEND CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE (let’s look from upstream to downstream)

FROM THE OPPOSITE BANK (inner bank), LOOKING AT THE COMPLETED UPPER BEND

Looking US @ US key, veg poles & transplants & TCS CONSTRUCTION DONE-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-HORVAT 8 -08

Looking US @ TCS, Live Poles, Bendway Weirs, & Live Stakes CONSTRUCTION DONE-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -08

Looking @ center of bend (impinging impact area) CONSTRUCTION DONE-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -08

Looking across @ outer bend just DS of the apex (center). CONSTRUCTION DONE-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-HORVAT 8 -08

Looking DS @ outer bank TCS, Bendway Weirs, & poles. CONSTRUCTION DONE-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -08

Looking DS @ lower end of bend (dam sheetpile visible) CONSTRUCTION DONE-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -08

Looking DS @ end of bend TCS, Poles, & Live Stakes. CONSTRUCTION DONE-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -08

From the US crossing, looking DS into the project bend CONSTRUCTION DONE-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -08

Looking DS into the impinging flow impact zone of the bend. CONSTRUCTION DONE-OTTAWA RIVER @ OTTAWA HILLS. PIX-DERRICK 8 -08

Ottawa River Dam Removal 8 -10 -2009 Update Pix & words by Matt Horvat, TMACOG

Increased public use Pix & words by Matt Horvat, TMACOG

Pix by Matt Horvat, TMACOG

Left Bank in the spring Bank protection stones and willow, dogwood, buttonbush stakes are visible 6 -5 -2009 photo, Horvat

SIGNIFICANT PLANTING EFFORT 500 PLANTS INSTALLED THE WEEK OF JULY 27, 2009 ON BANKS & RIPARIAN AREAS Photos & words by Matt Horvat

Another view of the same area - Left Bank in the spring Bank protection stones and willow, dogwood, buttonbush stakes are visible Pix & words by Matt Horvat, TMACOG

Close up, leafing of stakes is visible. Stakes were installed when stones were placed in 8 -2008 Pix & words by Matt Horvat, TMACOG

Pix & words by Matt Horvat, TMACOG Materials to be used for restoration and stabilization Photos taken week of 7 -27 -2009

Wetland riparian species of shrubs will be placed to in-fill between the stabilization stones. Nine-bark and buttonbush will be planted in the lowest areas. . They love having wet roots. Their roots will spread forming a dense network, holding the bank and soil during flood events. Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

Some of the woody shrubs being staged for planting on a right bank. The shrubs will be staggered to maximize the benefit of their roots holding the soil. Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

Floodplain area on the right bank being reforested. The vegetated floodplain and riparian area will help to slow flood velocities and allow suspended soil to settle out as well as provide habitat and recreation opportunities. Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

An auger is used where possible to prepare the soil for the new plant. All bank areas will have to be hand planted. Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

Site prep done with the 24” auger Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

One of the woody shrubs Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

Photos taken week of 7 -27 -2009

Planting top of bank floodplain areas Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

Looking downstream Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

LDB, just downstream of first key, new plantings of buttonbush, ninebark and elderberry visible at the bamboo stakes Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

Ninebark Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

Newly planted maple severely browsed, planting was only one day old Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

Browsed Hackberry Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

One of the suspects What deer like: • Opportunity • Maple • Hackberry • Everything else Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009 Smells bad enough, lets hope it works!

RDB, just upstream on the old dam on the inside bank. Note the buttonbush planted low along the bank Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

LDB, looking upstream toward key Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

LDB, looking upstream toward key Stakes mark each plant location Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

RDB, upstream of dam and undercut high bank visible just beyond the sign at the locust tree. Planted approx 750 lf from dam upstream = 0. 8 acre Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

RDB, nearest old dam Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

LDB, West of Secor Ave. 800 lf from dam upstream = 1 acre Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

LDB, looking upstream. Upstream key starts at big locust Photos taken by Matt Horvat week of 7 -27 -2009

Documented watershed scale fish distribution changes due to dam mitigation/removal (first fish passage connectivity in 80+ years) !! Fish community above both Secor Dam (removed) and Highland Dam (mitigated) have significantly changed for the better. Least Darter are now distributed throughout the lower Ottawa River, presumably following the new conveyance of sand. I think I forwarded the picture of the juvenile Rainbow Trout we caught right? We caught the first juvenile Golden Redhorse I've found above the dam this fall. Furthermore, sunfish are abundant around Sylvania, which never happened before. The result of having sunfish and Redhorse has been a shift in dominance to less tolerant, lithophilic-spawning species. I also talked to someone who lives by the Airport who has had white suckers in his ditch every spring since you put in the riffle at Highland. There have been other highlights, but you're probably all yawning with the fish talk by now : ) Awesome part, most all this data was collected by undergraduates in our Ecology 3060 lab course (University of Toledo). Take home message: CONNECTIVITY = GOOD! From: Todd Crail

the Bassett as a mountain lion