The Great Lakes Commission has awarded the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation nearly $200,000 to fund the second phase of its sediment reduction project on North Fish Creek and Chequamegon Bay. Work will begin in October.

In total, the Great Lakes Commission awarded $1.55 million to nine projects to reduce the runoff of sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants into the Great Lakes through the Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program.

The Burke Center coordinated a Phase 1 bluff stabilization along North Fish Creek in 2018. This project will mimic the first and is part of a long term, multi-partner effort to reduce excess sedimentation in North Fish Creek, currently the largest source of sediment into Chequamegon Bay.

Severely damaged during the 2018 Father’s Day storm, the proposed restoration site is likely the largest eroding bluff and sediment contributor along Fish Creek. Some 50-feet high and 600-feet long, the bluff is a high priority for stabilization to prevent ongoing erosion of sediment into the stream. The proposed site is located on the State of Wisconsin property.

“It is a major risk for long-term sediment contributions to Fish Creek and Chequamegon Bay that negatively affect fishing, drinking water, and tourism in our area,” said Matt Hudson, associate director of the Burke Center. “We are grateful for the opportunity to bring federal funds to help solve local problems and help out Lake Superior.”