The City of Windsor, Ontario, yesterday released this beautiful video on their Peche Island Shoreline Protection Project.
In the Detroit River, the City’s Peche Island has long been a refuge for endangered species.
It offers pockets of calm water in the fast-flowing river and wetlands with submerged vegetation beds. Over time, strong waves from ship traffic began eroding the island.
Equally important, Peche Island provides critical habitat for fish and migratory birds. However, experts say more than 95 per cent of Detroit River’s coastal wetlands have been lost.
The Detroit River area is designated a Binational Area of Concern under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Also, it is the only river in North America with both Canadian and American Heritage River designations.
A restoration project is underway to help protect Peche Island, by creating a series of small islands to stop erosion and provide habitat for four key species: Lake Sturgeon, Spiny Softshell Turtle, Northern Madtom and the Channel Darter.
“In partnership with the Essex Region Conservation Authority and with funding support from Swim Drink Fish, the Federal Government and the Provincial Government, we are able to proceed with a high priority restoration project,” the City said.
In fact, this Great Lakes Challenge project is the first large-scale habitat creation project on the Canadian side of the Detroit River in many years.