<h3>
	Background</h3>
<p>
	Au Sable Institute has conducted macroinvertebrate surveys on the Boardman River for the past five years. &nbsp;Despite the modest number of samples and sampling locations involved in our studies, we have made significant findings. &nbsp;First, we have confirmed that the dominant organisms throughout most of the stream channel are indicative of high water quality. &nbsp;We have found only a few locations where human impacts can still be described as negative (e.g., North Branch in Kalkaska). &nbsp;Second, we have established a baseline of information on macroinvertebrate communities for future studies to be compared against. &nbsp;Third, we have demonstrated that reservoirs can have a negative impact on the typical riverine biota (e.g., pre-drawdown conditions above Brown Bridge Pond and Boardman Pond). &nbsp;And, finally, over a four year period, we have found that there has been a significant recovery of the normal macroinvertebrate community at the Lone Pine site above the Boardman Dam. &nbsp;This work demonstrates the likelihood that removing the existing dams will result in the fairly rapid return of the stream to pre-disturbance conditions.</p>
<p>
	While these conclusions are both exciting and important, they strongly suggest a need for further study. &nbsp;This proposed work will better establish a necessary benchmark for macroinvertebrate populations of the Boardman River prior to the anticipated removal of the Brown Bridge Pond dam. Such studies are largely absent from the literature. &nbsp; In addition, we have found very few studies quantitatively describing stream macroinvertebrate community recovery after dam removal. &nbsp;We feel that such continued pre- and post-dam analysis are crucial, not only to document the condition/recovery of the Boardman River specifically, but also to provide vital information to others engaged in stream restoration.</p>
<h3>
	2012 Project</h3>
<p>
	In the summer of 2011, we analyzed stream macroinvertebrate assemblages through sampling (standard quantitative substrate samples) at one site below the dam and two sites above the dam. &nbsp;With the requested funding noted below we will be able to expand the sampling area to include two sites below the dam as well as the original two sites above the dam. We will also be able to increase sample replicates from 3 to 5 at these four locations. &nbsp;Such sampling will provide a significantly enhanced baseline data set for the Boardman River and allow for more robust statistical analyses of macroinvertebrate populations throughout the process of dam removal and stream restoration.</p>
<h3>
	Bibliography of past research</h3>
<h4>
	2008</h4>
<p>
	Jane Louwsma, Calvin College &ndash; Response of the Macroinvertebrate Community to the Reestablishment of the Channel of the Lower Boardman River, Michigan</p>
<h4>
	2009</h4>
<p>
	Nathan Sather, Bethel University &ndash; Recovery of the riffle community in the Boardman River as a consequence of reestablishment of a swift river channel following reservoir drawdown at the Boardman River, Traverse City, MI (1)</p>
<p>
	Jacob Meier, Calvin College - Diversity of Macroinvertebrates in Differing Substratum Types at Three Sites in the Lower Boardman River, Michigan</p>
<h4>
	2010</h4>
<p>
	Thomas McElrath, Covenant College &ndash; A stream quality survey of the upper Boardman River and selected tributaries, northwestern Michigan, utilizing benthic macroinvertebrates</p>
<p>
	Nathan Sather, Bethel University &ndash; Riffle community recovery after reestablishment of a swift river channel following reservoir drawdown at the Boardman River, Traverse City, MI (2)</p>
<p>
	Aaron A. Koning, Wheaton College - Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities of Riffle Habitats of the Boardman River, Northern Michigan&nbsp;</p>
<h4>
	2011</h4>
<p>
	Jacob Boone, Spring Arbor University - A comparison of stream health based on aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages above and below a future dam removal site on the Boardman River, Michigan</p>
<p>
	Michelle LaForge, Wheaton College - A benchmark macroinvertebrate analysis of the Boardman River prior to dam removal</p>
<p>
	Nathan Sather, Bethel University &ndash; Riffle community recovery after reestablishment of a swift river channel following reservoir drawdown at the Boardman River, Traverse City, MI</p>
