Ojibway Island Bank Stabilization

Spicer Group played a key role in the completed design and survey work for the Ojibway Island and Crayola Park Bank Stabilization project, conducted in collaboration with Merjent and Streamsideeco for the City of Saginaw. The project was initiated to address significant erosion along the northwestern edge of Ojibway Island and at Crayola Park, caused by fluctuating water levels and flooding in the Saginaw River. Previous erosion control methods, such as gabion basket rip rap, had failed, accelerating the shoreline's degradation.

The project, which will stabilize approximately 900 meters of shoreline at Ojibway Island and 60 meters at Crayola Park, focuses on areas from the boat dock basin south to the pedestrian walkway on the northwestern side of the island and from the basin to the northernmost point of Ojibway Island. Spicer Group completed a Mobile LiDAR and Bathymetric Survey of the Saginaw River/Lake Linton shoreline to aid the design process. Engineering plans were developed to document existing conditions, propose stabilization improvements, and incorporate site drainage solutions. Erosion control and restoration details were also included in the plans.

Merjent conducted environmental surveys to assess wetlands and surface water features, identifying a 44.71-acre area for wetland delineation. Additionally, a freshwater mussel survey completed in October 2023 found several native mussel species, including the state-endangered Lilliput, requiring relocation by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) before construction can begin.

With the design and study phases now complete, the project will soon be ready to move forward into construction, which will address the erosion issues and enhance the shoreline's long-term stability.