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Aquatic Habitat Restoration Along the Black River Using Fish Shelves

Aquatic Habitat Restoration Along the Black River Using Fish Shelves

Aquatic Habitat Restoration Along the Black River Using Fish Shelves

Kate Golden, City of Lorain, and Chip Wendt, Coldwater Consulting, presented “Aquatic Habitat Restoration along the Black River Using Fish Shelves” at the 2019 Ohio Stormwater Conference on May 10th in Sharonville. Modified and hardened shorelines along the Black River provide limited opportunities for habitat improvement, however improvements are possible with aquatic habitat structures, generally referred to as fish shelves. Chip and Kate provided an overview of two methodologies employed in the Black River, designed and constructed to replicate littoral zone habitat features desirable to nearshore fish communities. The presentation highlighted an innovative approach recently used to install fish habitat on a hardened/bulkheaded waterfront. Design, construction, biological monitoring, and the applicability of these habitat structures along waterfront communities were discussed. Baseline and post-construction biological monitoring of both the traditional and hybridized fish shelves that have been installed along the Black River indicate a positive impact on abundance and diversity.