Restoration Projects for the Black River AOC

On this page:

Lower Black River Heron Rookery Restoration

Remediation and Restoration Project Table

Remediation and Restoration Project Highlight

Lower Black River Heron Rookery Restoration

The streambank was modified to a stable, vegetated slope. (Credit: Coldwater Consulting)

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funded three habitat restoration projects to restore Black River stream and upland habitat. These projects benefitted a nearby 300-nest colony of Great Blue Herons, known as a rookery. A steel mill adjacent to the Black River caused environmental degradation and had the potential to impact fish and other wildlife in the Black River. By restoring and removing contaminants from the upland habitat, the projects prevented contamination runoff into the river, and ensured a safe food source for the herons. The projects also restored degraded habitat for fish and other wildlife in the river. Innovative construction techniques and careful attention to nesting windows ensured protection of the herons during construction. Completed in 2016, these three restoration projects totaled $2.7 million and spanned 5 years. The heron rookery is thriving since the completion of these restoration projects.
1.   The first project removed 45,000 cubic yards of upland slag, a steel-making byproduct, to prevent contamination runoff into the Black River. Invasive species were removed, and native species were planted in the upland area. Additionally, 2,800 linear feet of fish shelves were created in the river to provide spawning habitat and refuge for aquatic life.
2.   The second project removed additional slag and restored approximately 4 acres of Black River floodplain. Over 1,500 native shrubs and trees were planted, and the site was restored in a way that imitates the floodplain habitat of the heron rookery. 
3.   The last component of the restoration created an additional 1,400 linear feet of riverbank restoration. Innovative stream bank “build-out” techniques restored eroded, vertical banks along the heron rookery. 

Fish shelf at low water. These three restoration projects totaled $2.7 million of work and spanned 5 years. The heron rookery is thriving since the completion of these restoration projects. — Fish shelf at low water.

The following table lists remediation and restoration projects in the Black River AOC.

Project Title	Project Description	Date Completed	Targeted BUI(s)
River Miles 2.8 to 4.7 Remediation and Restoration of Reclamation Site	This project will grade and cover slag areas on City of Lorain property that have the potential greatest impacts to water quality/Black River BUIs.	2024	Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat Degradation of Benthos
Invasive Vegetation Control in the Lower Black River AOC Phases II and III	This project controlled invasive plant species, such as Phragmites, restored riparian habitat within 30 acres in Lorain County, and hired seasonal employees for invasives control.	2022	Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations Degradation of Aesthetics Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat
Fortune Ditch Restoration at Margaret Peak Nature Preserve	This project restored the stream and completed floodplain excavation/ wetland restoration at Margaret Peak Nature Preserve.	2019	Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations Degradation of Benthos Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat
Willow Creek Restoration at Eaton Township Park and Wetland Enhancement at Margaret Peak Nature Preserve	The project restored stream channel, floodplain wetland, and natural riparian corridor at Eaton Township Park in addition to native planting and invasive species removal at Margaret Peak Nature Preserve.	2019	Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations Degradation of Benthos Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat
River Miles 4.7 to 5.0 Remediation and Restoration of Seep Site	This project installed a remedial treatment system and restored adjacent habitat near a steel mill seep site.	2018	Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat Degradation of Benthos
River Mile 0.3 Fish Shelf Site	The project created fish shelves and macroinvertebrate habitat panels on bulkheads at River Mile 0.3.	2018	Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat Degradation of Benthos
Lower Black River Heron Rookery Restoration Project 3	The third heron rookery project restored 1,400 feet of riverbank and used a “build-out” technique to restore vertical banks along the rookery.	2016	Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat Degradation of Benthos
Lower Black River Heron Rookery Restoration Project 2	The project removed slag and restored floodplain by planting shrubs and trees to imitate floodplain habitat of the Heron Rookery.	2015	Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat Degradation of Benthos
Lower Black River Heron Rookery Restoration Project 1	This project removed steel slag and invasive species, replacing them with native plants in the upland area. 2,800 feet of fish shelves were created to provide spawning habitat for aquatic animals.	2014	Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat Degradation of Benthos

Restoration Projects for the Black River AOC

Remediation and Restoration Project Highlight

Lower Black River Heron Rookery Restoration

Great Lakes AOCs