Crane Creek Pool 2A Survey Points

Since historical descriptions of the study site suggest a much broader expanse of wetlands than just the 345 ha (852 ac) in and near the Crane Creek channel, the diked wetlands bordering the creek were examined to evaluate options for long-term ecological restoration. The research focused on both reestablishing wetland vegetation near Crane Creek and exploring whether diked wetlands can be functionally restored by hydrologically reconnecting them to Lake Erie, effectively adding habitat to the lake.

This work addressed many of the high priority research areas identified by the 1998 EPA Science Advisory Board report on marsh management and restored critical coastal wetland habitat, identified as a special focus area in the Great Lakes Strategy and recently identified as a priority by the Council of Great Lakes Governors. One aspect of this research was to characterize the bathymetry and topography throughout the wetland complex.

This data set was used to generate a topographic/bathymetric surface that will allow modelling of different biotic and abiotic conditions.