The Lucas County engineer’s office has completed the Morrison Ditch restoration project.
Work on the ditch, which is within the Swan Creek Watershed, was performed through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and the county stormwater utility.
According to Mike Pniewski, county engineer, approximately 1,900 feet of two-stage channel on Morrison Ditch in Monclova Township was completed with established plantings of native species in the bench area and banks of the stream.
The two-stage channel will improve water quality by slowing stream water during peak flows and allowing time for particles to settle out into the bench area, reducing phosphorus loading and sedimentation downstream, he explained.
“Native plantings in the bench also will serve to capture particles and other sedimentation as well as use the phosphorus in the water column as fertilizer,” he said.
In addition, the twostage channel will improve flood storage capacity within the banks of the creek and help alleviate flooding on adjacent properties.
Permanent easements were acquired along the creek for construction and future maintenance.
Runoff from agricultural land and urban areas can transport tons of sediment and nutrients into waterways throughout the Great Lakes basin.
Excess sediment and phosphorous can contribute to the formation of harmful algal blooms, dead zones, and reduce fish habitat, resulting in economic and environmental losses.
Construction of twostage channels has proven to reduce sediment and nutrient transport into the Great Lakes.
The project is anticipated to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment loadings in the stream, which eventually flow into Lake Erie.
The restoration received a $113,000 grant from the U.S. EPA’s Section 319 nonpoint source grant program administered by the Ohio EPA to cover the $363,000 construction cost. Remaining funding was obtained through the Lucas County Stormwater Utility.
“This project transformed a trapezoidal agricultural channel into a more natural configuration by providing floodplain benches along the stream,” said Mr. Pniewski.
“Through the increased stream profile and the planting of native vegetation on the benches and in buffer strips along the stream, we can both improve water quality while decreasing flood risk in the watershed,” he continued.
“This is a win-win for our citizens and demonstrates the benefits of twostage stream restoration to the public and our agricultural community. This project is part of our goal to use stream maintenance and restoration to protect the health of our Great Lakes, waterways, and communities.”
County commissioner Gary Byers agreed, “We are proud to support the use of funds from the county stormwater utility to leverage funding from the Ohio EPA and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to improve water quality for all residents.”
He added, “ The commissioners support the investment of restoring and maintaining our watercourses to ensure the safety and prosperity of our community for years to come.”
