As we were out conducting Stream Wise assessments for private landowners around the watershed and other field work this year, Ausable River Association staff continuously found three concerning invasive species: buckthorn, honeysuckle, and barberry. Our...

After rain and flooding delays in July and August, the construction phase of our work at Project Area 2 (PA2) in Upper Jay on the East Branch Ausable River was completed on November 8. The project addressed nearly 3,000 linear feet of river channel with a toe wood bench along the entire length of the right bank (looking downstream) and seven channel-spanning rock enhancements. Project goals were to reduce the formation of ice jams and alleviate flooding impacts in the Town of Jay. The work provided additional benefits: increased buffers along State Route 9N to absorb floods and ice and increased aquatic and riparian habitat.

We recently wrapped up the fifth year of our watershed tours and wanted to take the time to reflect on another successful year of this program.