    [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                Coastal
                      In forma!

                                                                                                                                                -?*3
                                                    THE MAISOU ISLANO PROJECT
                                               sponsored by fhe Saginaw Valley Wallertowlers Assoclafion
                                                         incooperaflonwifh Michigan Habifaf Foundaflon

                                                               MAISOU ISLAND COMPLEX

                                                                     Project Report

                                                                      October, 1985

                                                                                                    COASTAL ZONE

                                                                                              INFORMATION CENTER

                                                                    P

       J6                          MAISOU ISLAND PROJECT COMMITTEE: 420 S. Main, Davison, Michigan 48423; Ph (313) 653-0842.
                                           Tax deductible contributions will be made to the Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation,
                                        Maisou Island Project Accountl 2325 S. Cedar, Lansing, Michigan 48910; Ph (517) 484-9600.

                                                            Project 7D-7.3

                                EVALUATION OF MARSH LOSSES

                                  Emaisou Island Complex

                                   Saginaw Bay, Michigan

                                       Prepared For:

                                     Wildlife Division

                           Michigan Department of Natural Resources

                                    In Fulfillment Of:

                          Coastal Zone Management Project #7D-7.3

                                            By

                          Dr. Frederick C. Payne, Project Manager

                                     Jane L. Schuette

                                    Joel E. Schaeffer

                                   Dr. Jerry B. Lisiecki

                                    David P. Regalbuto

                                      Peter S. Rogers

           (21

                                                          MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Cha flotte, Michigan

                     This document was prepared, in part, through financial
                 assistance provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of
                   1972, administered by the Office of ocean and Coastal
                   Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                      Administration.

                                                            MIDWEST WAT(st RisouRcE MANAG(.ENT
                                                                 Charlotte, Michigan

                                        . .........

                                        TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           PAGE

                LIST OF TABLES   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      iv

                LIST OF FIGURES    . . . . . . . . . . . .    ... . . . .   v

                INTRODUCTION   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        1

                     History   . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; . . . . . . .      I
                     Preliminary Field Studies     . . . . . . . . . . .      6
                     FY 1985 Studies   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        8

                LITERATURE REVIEW    . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .     10
                     Taxonomy and Distribution of Cattails      . . . . .   10

                     Growth of Cattails and the Influence of
                           High Water Levels    . . . . . . . . . . . .     12
                     Recovery of Cattail Marshes     . . . . . . . . . .    14

                METHODS OF ANALYSIS    . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .     15
                     Air Photo Interpretation      . . . . . . . . . . .    15
                     Sediment Analysis    . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . .    19
                     Soil Particle Size Analysis     . . . . . . . . . .    22
                     .Suspended Solids Deposition    . . . . . . . . . .    22
                     Taxonomy of Cattail Marshes     . . . . . . . . . .    23

                RESULTS AND DISCUSSION   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      24
                     Aquatic Vegetation of the    Maisou Island
                           Complex (1941-1982)  . . . . . . . . . . . .     24

                           1941  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      24

                           1949  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      27

                           1955  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      29

                           1964  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      31

                           1968  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      31

                           1972  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      33

                           1978  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      35

                           1982  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      38
                     Summary, 1941-1982     . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     38

                                                               M40WEST WAT[st RisouRcf MANMAWNT
                                                                    Charlotte, Michigan

                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED

                                                                          PAGE

                1985  CONDITIONS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     45

                      Muskrat Density    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    45
                      Bur Reed Expansion   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    47

                      Breaches  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     47
                      Suspended Solids Loading   . . . . . . . . . . . .    48
                      Sediment Texture Analysis     . . . . . . . . . . .   48
                      Heavy Metals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     50
                      Herbicides  . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .    53

                      Taxonomy of Cattail Marshes                           54

                RECOMMENDATIONS   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       57

                      Muskrat Control    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    57
                      Breach Repair   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     57
                      Islet Construction   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    57

                      Channel Construction   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    57

                      Exclosures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     57

                      Seedling Germination            . ... . . . . . . .   58

                ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    . . . .  59

                MAISOU ISLAND PROJECT BIBLIOGRAPHY      . . . . . . . . .   60

                      I. Wetland Ecology: Reviews       . . . . . . . . .   61
                     II. Distribution and Taxonomy of Typha Species .       61
                   III. Seed Germination and Seedling Establish-
                               ment in Typha Species    . . . . . . . . .   62
                     IV. Ecological and Physiological Characteristics
                               of Typha Species    . . . . . . . . . . .    62
                      V. Wetland Response to Fluctuating Water
                               Levels   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     64
                     VI. Ecological Characteristics of Muskrat and
                               Carp Damage to Wetlands    . . . . . . . .   65

                   VII. Related References     . . . . ... . . . . . . .    66

                                                               MIOMST WAT(a ReS0URC(MANAGtMfNT
                                                                    Charlotte, Michigan

                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED

                                                                          PAGE

                 APPENDICES  . . . . ... . . . . . . ... . . . . . . .    A-1
                      Appendix I: Vegetation Analysis for Five
                           Study Zones in the Maisou Island Complex,
                           1941-1982   . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .   A-1
                      Appendix II: Soil Particle Size Analysis
                           Procedures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    A-7

                      Appendix III: Memorandum of Agreement       . . . . A-10
                      Appendix IV: Sediment Heavy Metals Analysis-
                           for Mid-Saginaw Bay Stations, Michigan
                           Department of Natural Resources, Bureau
                           of Water Management, 1984     . . . . . . . .  A-13

                                              iii

    													Midwest Water Resource Management
    														Charlotte, Michigan

                                           LIST OF TABLES

              TABLE                                                              PAGE

                 1    Descriptive characteristics of Typha Species        . . .   11

                 2    Aerial photography of Maisou Island Complex
                            used in study   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       16

                 3    Characteristics of photographic images used
                            in classification of wetland vegetation       . . .   18

                 4    Marsh vegetation of the Maisou Island Complex
                            during the period of 1941-1982       . . . . . . .    26

                 5    Results of suspended sediment and water discharge
                            analysis in the Maisou Island Complex,
                            May through August, 1985      . . . . . . . . . .     49

                 6    Results of soil particle size analysis for six
                            sites in the Maisou Island Complex        . . . . .   51

                 7    Results of chemistry analysis on 18-inch
                            sediment cores collected at six sites in
                            the Maisou Island Complex     . . . . . . . . . .     52

                 8    Descriptive characteristics of Typha species
                            collected in Maisou Island Complex,
                            August 22, 1985   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       55

                                                iv
                                                                  MOOWIST WAT(ot R(sotjRc( MANAGEMENT
                                                                       Charlotte, Michigan

            FIGURE                      LIST OF FIGURES                    PAGE

               1     Map of the upper Great Lakes region showing the
                          location of the Maisou Island complex in
                          Saginaw Bay  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      2

               2     Major Saginaw Bay wetland areas    . . . . . . . . .     3

               3     Changes in acreages of major Saginaw   Bay  marshes
                          relative to 1949-1950 levels    . . . . . . . .     5

               4     Lake Huron water levels, 1860-1983   . . . . . . . .   17

               5     Map of Maisou Island complex showing the five
                          regions examined in the study of changes of
               -          marsh coverage, 1941-1982   . . . . . . . . . .   20

               6     Locations for plant and sediment sample collec-
                          tion, August 22, 1985  . . . . . . . . . . . .    21

               7     Vegetation map, 1941  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    25

               8     Vegetation map, 1949  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    28

               9     Vegetation map, 1955  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    30

             10      Vegetation map, 1964  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    32

             11      Vegetation map, 1968  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    34

             12      Vegetation map, 1972  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    36

             13      Vegetation map, 1978  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    37

             14      Vegetation map, 1982  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    39

             15      Histogram of marsh coverage ofthe three wetland
                          categories during the period of 1941-1982;
                          Upper graph, a plot of mean annual water
                          levels of Lake Huron (1930-1983)    . . . . . .   41

             16      Difference between growing season water level
                          and the following winter season water level       43

             17      Map showing current status of Maisou Island
                          complex, 1985  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    46

                                              v

                                                            M10W*ST WATER Risouitcf MANAC(MfNT
                                                                 Chaflotte, Michigan

               INTRODUCTION

               History

                   Coastal wetlands of the Great Lakes region are among the

               most productive natural communities in temperate North America.

               Michigan's coastal wetlands presently total approximately

               106,000 acres and are distributed along all the Great Lakes

               and connecting waters. Jaworski and Raphael (1978) point out:

                   - Ecological and recreational values, fish, waterfowl
                     and non-game wildlife production yield an average
                     annual return per acre in excess of $3,000.00 (1978
                     dollars).

                   - Michigan has  lost approximately 70 percent of its
                     original  coastal wetlands since the mid-1800's.

                   Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron holds one of the largest con-

               centrations of Michigan's coastal wetlands. Major marsh

               areas are found from Point AuGres to Nayanquing Point, Tobico

               Beach, the Saginaw River mouth to Fish Point, and the Maisou

               Island Complex of Sebewaing and Wildfowl Bays (refer to Figures

               1 and 2). But Saginaw Bay wetlands have undergone massive

               changes since pre-settlement surveys.

                   During the period from 1859 to 1973, wetland losses through-

               out the bay totalled 19,620 acres. In the region from Fish

               Point to Sand Point, 4,798 acres of onshore wetlands were

               drained for conversion to cropland. At the same time, offshore

               marshes showed a net increase of 1,498 acres while shifting

               from bulrushes and wild rice to cattails as the dominant plants.

               The increase in cattail marshes is probably due to two major

                                            -1-

                                                           MIDWEST WATER Rfsouizcf MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                                       -2-

                                     FIGURE 1: Map of the upper Great Lakes region

                                                 showing the location of the Maisou

                                                 Island complex in Saginaw Say.

                                           P

                                      LAKE SUPERIOR     C:N

                 Maisou Island Complex

                                                                                 MIDWEST WATEst R(souRct MANACAMENT
                                                                                       Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                                            -3-

                                        Figure 2. Major           Saginaw Bay Wetland Areas

                                                               Point
                                                               Au Gres

                                                                                         Sand Point

                                                                                                 Q5
                                               Saginaw                            MAISOU
                                                         Bay                      ISLANDS

                            Nayanquing
                            Point

                                                                   Fish Point

                             Tobico
                             Beach

                              Saginaw
                              River

                                                                                     MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANACEMENT
                                                                                            Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                          -4-

               factors:

                    1.  Erosion losses from the watershed increased sharply
                        due to clearing of woodlands and drainage of wet-
                        lands. This sediment loading increased mud flat
                        acreage in the Maisou Island area, a habitat in
                        which cattails can displace bulrushes and wild
                        rice.

                    2.  Water-borne plant nutrient levels increased due to
                        human settlement. Again, cattails compete well
                        in high-nutrient settings and can be expected to
                        displace bulrushes and wild rice.

                    Studies by Enslin and McIntosh (1982) quantified more

               recent trends in wetland acreage for specific study zones.

               The Maisou Island complex suffered losses of 2,364 acres from

               1949 to 1978. This was 40 percent of the 1949 acreage, and

               more than twice the percentage loss at Quanicassee and Nayan-

               quing Point (refer to Figure 3).

                    Since 1978, riparians and visitors to the Maisou Islands

               have observed accelerated, massive die-outs of cattail marshes.

               Enslin and McIntosh suggested high water levels may have influ-

               enced marsh survival from 1949 to 1978. However, loss rates in

               the Maisou complex were substantially higher than general losses

               in Saginaw Bay. Since 1978, on-going losses have been observed

               in protected embayment marshes, in water depths typically

               colonized by cattails. These observations led to the sugges-

               tion that high water, alone, may not explain the loss of

               marsh acreage in the Maisou complex. Saginaw Valley Water-

               fowlers Association retained MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

               (MWRM) in June, 1983, to conduct an investigation of marsh

               losses in the Maisou complex.

                                                          MIOWEST WATER RE SOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                           Figure 3.      Changes in acreages of major Saginaw Bay marshes
                                                          relative to 1949-50 levels. Acreage values were
                                                          taken from Enslin and McIntosh (1983); 1949-50
                                                          levels serve as the 100% marker. Subsequent
                                                          acreages are given as the percentage remaining
                                                         .-relative to the 1949-50 levels.

                                100

                             C,                                                  0)           0
                                                                                              a)
                             0

                             >    75

                               C
                             < 0
                               U
                               L                                                                           ca
                             L)   50
                             <

                             V)                        co

                                  25

                                                           C14
                                                           co
                                                           0)
                                   M

                                             MAISOU ISLAND              QUANICASSEE             NAYANQUING
                                                COMPLEX                                            POINT            MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                                          Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                           -6-

               Preliminary Field Studies

                    MWRM staff conducted site visits to offshore wetlands from

               near the mouth of the Sebewaing River, north to Heisterman

               Island in Wildfowl Bay. These visits spanned June through

               October, 1983, and the ice-free season of 1984. During early

               site visits, MWRM staff were assisted by long-time residents

               of Sebewaing and Wildfowl Bays in familarization with the

               region's extensive marsh areas and their recent history.

                   Marsh areas from near the Sebewaing River mouth, north to

               DeFoe Island have been reduced to a small remnant of their 1972

               acreages. These cattail stands were growing in 2 to 3 feet of

               water, with full exposure to wave and ice action. Recent high

               water levels seem to provide an acceptable explanation for the

               decline of these deepwater stands.

                   From DeFoe Island north to the Bayport Cut, between Maisou

               and Heisterman Islands, a substantially different pattern has

               developed. The gravel and rock reef which extends from DeFoe

               Island to the southern point of Maisou Island is colonized by

               cattail stands in 3 to 4 feet of water.   These areas appeared

               healthy, and long-time observers report only slight decline in

               these stands since 1978. However, embayment marshes of Maisou

               and Middle Ground Islands have suffered rapid, massive losses

               since 1978. Active die-out areas were found in cattail stands

               at @ to 1-@ foot depths. High water, alone, does not provide

               an adequate explanation for marsh losses in the embayment areas,

               particularly in view of the success of DeFoe Reef marshes which

                                                          M10WfST WATER RtSOURU MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                          -7-

              are fully exposed to wave and ice action.

                   Studies which followed the intial site visits focused

              on differences between habitat conditions in DeFoe Reef and

              Maisou/Middle Ground Island embayments. The  objective of this

              approach was to detect critical habitat factors responsible for

              cattail losses in the embayments - factors presumably absent or

              reduced on DeFoe Reef.

                   Air photo analysis of the marsh losses confirmed the

              observation that embayment marshes had suffered the greatest

              declines between 1972 and 1982. More than 630 acres, roughly

              half, of the cattail stands had died. DeFoe Reef populations

              had been relatively stable, with two stands adjacent to

              DeFoe Island the only ones to disappear.

                   Ground level studies to support air photo analysis revealed

              large areas of dead cattail root mats in areas where live stands

              had been seen in 1972 photos. Water depths in the embayments

              ranged from one to three feet, as measured from the water

              surface to the top of the cattail root mat. In areas where the

              root mats broke from the bottom, water depths had become

              greater, up to four feet in some areas.

                   During July, 1983, detailed examinations were made on

              dying stands of the main embayment of Middle Ground Island.

              Cattail plants had grown, apparently normally, early in the

              growing season. Typically, 10 to 15 leaves grew to 6 feet

              in height from each branching point, or node, on the underground

              stem. These early leaves were green and healthy in appearance.

                                                          MIDWEST WATER ReSOURC(MANACEMENT
                                                              Charlotte, Michigan

               Then, sometime in June, young leaves died after reaching @ to

               2/3 of their normal height. By July, insects had attacked

               the leaves underwater, flooding the underground stems.

               Plants were rotting and leaves had fallen or were weak enough

               to be easily pulled out by hand.

                   By late August, remaining plants in the die-out areas

               showed no further damage, although the stands had reduced

               considerably in density. Flower production in the die-out

               areas was generally absent, in contrast to healthy areas of

               the embayments and DeFoe Reef populations. These areas had

               no growth at all during 1984 and the die-out was complete.

               New areas of die-out progressed during 1984 in the same zones

               as 1983.

               FY 1985 Studies

                   Studies initiated during 1983 and 1984 showed that the

               Maisou Island complex had suffered alarming losses of emergent

               plant stands. High water.could not be isolated as the sole

               habitat variable forcing the observed losses. Yet, potential

               management efforts to stabilize and possibly restore these

               marshes require full evaluation of habitat variables and their

               influence on the Maisou wetlands.

                   FY 1985 studies were developed to determine historical

               patterns of marshexpansion and contraction, and to assess the

               importance of several variables in Maisou marsh dynamics.

               Among these variables were water levels, sediment quality,

               siltation rates and muskrat and rough fish activities.

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                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                          -9-

                    A series of study objectives, in two phases, was developed

               and incorporated into a memorandum of agreement between @IWRM

               and MDNR Wildlife Division. Chief among these were:

                    1.  Literature review - Survey available literature on
                        cattails and marsh ecology, with particular refer-
                        ence to variables known to influence distribution
                        of marsh plant species.

                    2.  Air photo analysis - Quantitative historical study
                        of marsh development through available aerial photo-
                        graphy.

                    3.  Correlation of water level changes with marsh expansion
                        and contraction.

                    4.  Field observations on the Maisou Island complex,
                        including sediment quality, suspended sediment
                        loadings and other variables which may become
                        important in marsh management.

                    5. Examination of cattail species and hybrids.

                                                           MIDWEST WATfit RtsouitcE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                        _10-

                LITERATURE REVIEW

                Taxonomy and Distribution of Cattails

                     Cattails (Typha species) are widely distributed throughout

                North America. In the northeast third of the country, including

                Michigan, two species of Typha are commonly recognized. They

                are the common cattail, T. latifolia, and the narrow-leaved

                cattail, T. angustifolia. T. latifolia is characterized by

                its robust stature, producing broad leaves that project upright

                from a stout base and large fruiting heads or spikes that are

                positioned at a height nearly equal to that of the leaves.

                T. angustifolia can be distinguished from the common cattail

                by its narrower and generally longer leaves, slender base, and

                shorter, narrower spikes that are greatly overtopped by the

                leaves. other characteristics that can be used for identifi-

                cation of cattails in the field are given in Table 1.

                    Stands of T. latifolia are generally found in relatively

                undisturbed habitats such as wet meadows, bogs, and along the

                margins of lakes, growing in regions with peaty soils that

                range from acidic to basic. The distribution of T. angustifolia

                is usually associated with basic, calcareous or somewhat saline

                soils. In general, it-is restricted to habitats with unstable

                environments, such as artificial marshes, lakes with fluctuating

                water levels, and roadside ditches. In areas where environmental

                conditions strictly favor the growth of one species over the

                other, dense monospecific stands can be found. However, in

                habitats that provide an overlapping range of environments,

                                                          MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                    Tablel . Descriptive Field Characteristics of Typha Species
                                                              (after Hotchkiss and Dozier, 1949).

                                CHARACTER                       T. LATIFOLIA                   T. ANGUSTIFOLIA                     T. GLAUCA

                    Vegetative Structures
                    A.  Height                        variable, 1-2 m or more          variable, 1-2 m or more          variable, often 2 m or more

                    B.  Stem                          stout                            slender                          slender

                    C.  Leaf

                        1. Width                      usually 8-15 mm                  usually about 5 mm               usually 6-12 mm
                        2.   Shape                    nearly flat                      strongly convex on  back         moderately convex on back
                        3.   Color                    light green                      dark green                       medium to dark bluish green

                    Reproduction Structures

                    A. Mature Pistillate
                             Spikes
                        1.   Color                    dark greenish brown to           dark brown or reddish            reddish brown, becoming
                                                      reddish brown, becoming          brown, becoming matted           reddish brown and buff
                                                      whitish                          mottled dark brown and
                                                                                       buff
                        2.   Height of Spikes in      spikes moderately over-          spikes much overtopped           spikes moderately to much
                             Relation to Leaves       topped by leaves                 by leaves, often by half         overtopped by leaves
                                                                                       their length
                        3.   Size                     10-18 cm long;                   8-20 cm long;                    10-25 cm long;
                                                      1.8-3 cm in diameter             1.3-2 cm in diameter             1.8-2.5 cm in diameter
                        4.   Distance between         usually none                     variable, 0.5-12 cm;             variable, 0-4 cm;
                             Pistillate and                                            u'sually twice diameter          usually less than diameter
                             Staminate Spikes                                          of pistillate space              of pistillate spike

                                                                                                                                                          F_

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                                                                          -12-

                both species may co-exist. In such areas, genetic crosses

                between the two species may occur and result in the production

                of a hybrid population. Hybrids are recognized by some taxon-

                omists as a separate species, T. glauca, that shows many

                characteristics which are intermediate between the parental

                species (Table 1).

                     In addition to habitat preferences, cattails, like other

                emergent wetland species, are also restricted by the maximum

                water level in which they can exist. In general, T. latifolia

                cannot grow in water greater than one foot deep, the hybrid,

                T. glauca, cannot grow in water greater than two feet, and

                T. angustifolia in water greater than three feet deep.

                Growth of Cattails and the Influence of High Water Levels

                    Cattails are often the dominant emergent aquatic plant

                in wetland habitats and usually grow in dense stands covering

                vast areas of marshland. The ability of cattails to maintain

                their dominance and to spread aggressively throughout marshes

                is largely due to their tremendous capacity for vegetative

                reproduction. This is achieved through the growth and develop-

                ment of large underground rootstocks, also known as rhizomes.

                New shoots are produced from latent buds that develop and over-

                winter at the tip of the rhizome. With increasing temperatures

                in the spring, development of the bud into an upright shoot

                begins. This growth is dependent upon carbohydrate reserves

                that are stored over winter in the rhizome. As new shoots

                continue to grow and emerge from the water, the photosynthetic

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                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                        -13-

               capabilities of the plant.dramatically increase. By midsummer,

               the shoots are photosynthetically very active and produce

               carbohydrates in quantities that exceed the maintenance

               requirements of the plant. The excess carbohydrates are trans-

               located.to the rhizome and are used throughout the winter and

               the following spring as the sole source of energy. Plants

               overwinter with some of the aerial shoots remaining attached

               to the rhizome. These shoots serve an important purpose.

               They provide a pathway for the transport of oxygen from the

               atmosphere to the rhizome, which is buried in sediments of

               low oxygen content. Oxygen transport is necessary to meet

               the respiratory requirements of the rhizome, not only during

               the winter but throughout the growing season as well. In the

               following spring, growth of latent buds is initiated and-the

               growth cycle is again repeated.

                    Vegetative growth in cattails is extremely effective;

               growth increases of up to 17 feet per year have been reported.

               Although it is highly competitive in wetland habitats, continuous

               growth of cattails from year to year requires the successful

               completion of the entire growth cycle.

                   High water levels appear to disturb the growth of cattails

               in two major ways. First, with increasing.water depths, the

               leaves of cattails grow taller. Since more of the plant's

               biomass is allocated to shoot production, less of the available

               energy is stored within the rhizome. The capa city for vege-

               tative reproduction is reduced, and results in a decline of

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                                                              Charlotte, Michigan 4T

                                                                           -14-

                the cattail population. High water levels, especially during

                the winter, may also result in damage to the shoots. Once the

                leaves become submersed, the connection with the atmosphere,

                is lost and oxygen is no longer supplied to the rhizome.

                The rhizome usually cannot survive under these conditions for

                extended periods of time. An abrupt decline in the cattail

                population is observed the following spring.

                Recovery of Cattail Marshes

                     Cattail marshes are frequently subjected to natural

                disturbances such as fluctuating water levels, ice or wind

                damage, and the destructive activiti;as of muskrats. The

                recovery of the marsh is greatly influenced by the water level

                regime following such disturbances. Under low.water conditions,

                vegetative reproduction of the surviving rhizomes is favored.

                in addition, germination of cattail seeds may also occur on

                exposed mudflats. Recovery of the marsh back to the original

                community can occur within a single growing season. However,

                if high water levels follow the disturbance, flooded conditions

                prevent the germination of cattail seeds, and vegetative

                growth of surviving rhizomes is curtailed. In many areas,

                large mats of decaying rhizomes are freed from the sediments.-

                This results in the lowering of the marsh floor and the devel-

                opment of small ponds. Under high water conditions, recovery

                of the marsh is delayed until low water conditions prevail.

                                                           MIDWEST WAY(st RisouRcE MANAGEMENT
                                                                Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                         -15-

                METHODS OF ANALYSIS

                Air Photo Interpretation

                     Aerial photography of the Wildfowl Bay area during the

                period of 1937-1982 was obtained from the governmental

                agencies listed in Table 2. Photographs from a total of

                nine growing seasons were examined and include the following

                years: 1937, 1941, 1949, 1955, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1978 and

                1982. Throughout this period, water levels fluctuated

                considerably, as shown in Figure 4.

                     An initial examination of photographs was conducted in

                order to establish an appropriate system of wetland classi-

                fication. Each set of photographs differed in scale, date

               .of photography, quality and image resolution .(Table 2 ).

                Through an analysis of photographic images in combination

                with results from field studies, it was determined that

                four different vegetation categories could be identified

                for each set of photographs. These categories are upland

                vegetation, cattail marsh, grasses and sedges, and bulrushes

                and mixed emergents. Criteria of interpretation were est-

                ablished for each category and were based on tone, texture,

                pattern and density of the image. These characteristics are

                given in Table 3.

                     Eight vegetation maps were prepared. The quality of

                photographs for 1937 were too poor for confident interpre-

                tation. For each year, a base map was constructed from

                scale-expanded photocopies of photographs. Whenever

                                                          MIOWEST WATER RESOURCE MANACEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                   Table 2. Aerial Photography of Maisou Island Complex Used in Study.

                  YEAR         AGENCY        YEAR ISSUED           DATE PHOTOGRAPHED               SCALE          QUALITY         MAP PREPARED

                  1937          ASCS              1938                   10/03/37                1:20,000          POOR                  NO

                  .1941         ASCS              1941             07/22/41-09/17/41             1 : 2 0 , 0 0 0   POOR                  YES

                  1949          ASCS              1949                   09/03/49                1:20,000          FAIR                  YES

                  1955          ASCS              1957                   10/28/55                1:20,000          GOOD                  YES

                  1964          ASCS              1964                   07/30/64                1:20,000          FAIR                  YES

                  1968          USGS              1969                   04/11/68                1: 13-,.000       GOOD                  YES

                  1972          ASCS              1972                   06/17/72                1:40,000          GOOD                  YES

                  19.78         MDNR              1978                   09/24/78                1 : 24 , 0 0 0    GOOD                  YES

                  1982          ASCS              1982                   08/12/82                1:40,000          FAIR                  YES

                                                                                                                          MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                                                 Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                                                                                                                      Figure .4.

                                                                                                LAKE HURON WATER LEVELS, 1860                                        1983

                                             .'p

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 isle,*
                                      6770..                                                                                                                                                                                     97710
                                      am*-                                                                                                                                                                                       -GrG4
                                      $MO-                                                                                                                                                                                       -syso
                                                      ll*_YtAft SUWUAPtV
                                                      -MiGs. 1661
                                                      @ LOW - 1964
                                                      -AVtftAI21t,6?*1'?

                                                                                                                                                                                       MIDWEST WATF-

                                Table 3. Characteristics of photographic images used in
                                            classification of wetland vegetation.

                 VEGETATION
                  CATEGORY            TONE                TEXTURE                               REMARKS

                   UPLAND         Variable, depen-     Variable,  height    Vegetation dense. Boundary between
                                  ding on vegetation   uneven in  wooded    upland and grasses and sedges dif-
                                  type, ranges from    areas and  smooth    ficult to delineate; sometimes occ-
                                  light to dark.       in grassy  areas.    urring at ridges, other times drawn
                                                                            at point of gradation. Changes
                                                                            occurring within upland regions
                                                                            were not recorded.

                CATTAIL MARSH     Variable, ranges     Height uneven,       vegetation classified as cattail
                                  from white to        edges of undivi-     marsh whenever image present and
                                  medium gray, de-     ded stands usu-      may include other types of vege-
                                  pending on photo-    ally evident,        tation. Boundaries of cattail
                                  graphic exposure     at times undis-      marsh drawn at edge of individual
                                  and contrast.        tinct.               stands or may include several small
                                                                            scattered stands. Circular open
                                                                            areas often found within cattails,
                                                                            commonly containing muskrat lodges.

                   GRASSES        Variable, usually    Smooth in appear- Vegetation dense, commonly found
                     AND          light to medium      ance, image.some- bordering edges of upland vegetation.
                   SEDGES         gray.                what-granular,
                                                       height not evi-
                                                       dent.

                  BULRUSHES       Charcoal gray        Image diffuse,       Vegetation sparse, commonly occurring
                                  to black.            height not evi-      near open water. Difficult to
                                                       dent.                separate from submersed aquatics
                                                                            or silty areas.

                                                                                              MiDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                   Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                              _19-

                possible, overlapping frames were examined through a stereo

                viewer to identify vegetation categories and boundaries.

                These were then delineated and recorded on the base map.

                After completion, all base maps were sized to the same scale.

                It should be noted, however, that the scale accuracy of

                each map may vary somewhat due to irregularities in flight

                elevation and photographic angle.

                     Area statistics cited in this report were determined by

                overlapping a grid transparency onto the vegetation map,

                counting the number of squares occupied by each category

                and converting into acreage. The marsh complex was divided

                into five regions (Figure 5 ) and the area occupied by

                each of the three wetland categories within these regions

                was estimated. This was done in order to examine changes

                within the marsh in specific areas.

                Sediment Analysis

                     Sediment samples were collected during July, 1985, for

                heavy metal and particle size analysis. Two 18-inch cores

                were collected from each of six locations shown in Figure 6.

                For metals analysis, 250-ml aliquots were taken from the

                upper six inches of sediments using a bucket auger, and from

                the 12 to 18-inch depths by removing cuttings from a.hammer-

                driven Shelby tube sampler. These samples were iced and

                delivered to Fishbeck,  .Thompson,  Carr & Huber/Fairbrother

                Analytical Services (Grand Rapids) for extraction and analysis

                by inductively-coupled plasma emission spectroscopy. A

                                                              MIDWEST WATERR(souRcE MANAG(MENT
                                                                   Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                                                                                 -20-

                                                  Figure 5. Map of Maisou Island complex showing the five
                                                                          regions examined in the study of changes in
                                                                                                marsh coverage, 1941-1982.

                                                         fielsterman
                                                           Island
                                                                                               C>
                                                                                              0
                                                                                                                Wildfowl Bay

                                                                                       9.YP-t
                                        Saginaw Bay                                      cut

                                                                                                                                           o

                                                                                               D                            Am" Cut
                                                                                                     02.
                                                                        MY            West
                                                                        LAk.
                                                                                     Marsh

                                                                                                                .P Cmj
                                                                                                              Jffw CWq
                                                                                                                             9
                                                             1102cm                                        East                       b q@q      0
                                          Malsou                                                           Marsh                     'C'
                                          Island                                                                                     I
                                                                                                                                    A;2

                                                                                    Middle Grounds
                                                                                       Island

                                                                            S1..k
                                                             cut
                                                                            A..K-     2
                                                    0                                                                P
                                                                   Sebewaing Bay

                          Defoe
                          Island          e@@

                                              -.0
                                                                        Upland                                                           W--=:.,::[ 0 T-E

                                                                        Emergent
                                                                        Vegetation

                                                                                                                                       UIMVST qmATER RESOURCE MANAOCIPE"I
                                                         0              0.5            to
                                                                      Miles

                                                                                                                                                                        -21-

                                                   Figure 6. Locations for plant and sediment
                                                                                sample collection August 22, 1985.

                                                                      Helsterman
                                                                         Island

                                                                                                                                     Wildfowl Bay

                                                   Saginaw Bay                                              C.4

                                                                                                                      ro
                                                                                                                      V_-,- C)

                                                                                                        West
                                                                                                        Marsh

                                                                                                                                       Cw

                                                    Malsou                                                                                                     tP
                                                    Island                                                                      E at
                                                                                                                               M  re

                                                                                                                coo
                                                                                                             Grounds
                                                                                                           land
                                                                                                                                                C3

                                                                          C.H              am"

                                                               0
                                                             C@                                                                       E9
                                                            C?                                                                        0 P
                                  Defoe                                          Sebewaing Bay
                                  Island                                                                                                                                      N
                                                                                      Sampling
                                                                                      Location

                                                                                      Upland                                                                     IN           0 31- E
                                                                              r     I Emergent
                                                                              Lj      Vegetation
                                                                                                                                                                              S

                                                                     0               0.5                                                                      N40"ST WATER 04580UMA MANAGEMENT
                                                                                   Miles

                           - ---- ---- --

                                                                              -22-

                 second Shelby tube sample from each site was capped and

                 returned to MWRM's laboratory for soil particle size analysis.

                 Soil Particle Size Analysis

                      Particle size'distributions were determined by sieve

                 analysis. Detailed procedures for this analysis are given

                 in Appendix II.

                 Suspended Solids Deposition

                      Deposition rates for suspended solids were estimated

                 for the main embayment region comprised of the Dry Lake and

                 West and Boxcar Marshes. Two narrow channels connect this region

                 with Bay Port Cut, to the north. Water samples were collected

                 from each channel for filtration of particles larger than

                 0.45 microns. These glass fiber filters were dried to constant

                 weight; suspended solids are reported as milligrams per

                 liter. Discharge rates were determined in Boxcar and Dynamite

                 Cuts with a Price-Gurley pygmy water flow velocity meter.

                 We assumed that an equal flow passes through the broad

                 channel at the north end (currect velocities in this area

                 cannot be quantified easily). The net sediment deposition

                 rate was calculated as the difference between incoming

                 sediments (volume X concentration) and the outgoing sedi-

                 ments. Suspended solids samples were also collected in

                 the Blind Pass, as an indicator of sediment concentrations

                 by-passing the embayment areas.

                                                             MIOWfST WATER RE SOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                  Chadotte, Michigan

                                                                         -23-

               Taxonomy of Cattail Marshes

                    Representative samples of cattails were collected from

               the exposed marsh of DeFoe Reef, from the Box Car region in

               an area of recent cattail expansion, and within the dimin-

               ishing stands of the West Marsh near Dynamite Cut. These

               areas are designated as sites 1, 3, and 4 on Figure 6.

                    Samples were collected in August, 1985. By this time,

               the staminate (male) spikes had disappeared. Both floral

               and vegetative features were examined. Taxonomic identification

               followed characteristics given in Hotchkiss and Dozier (1949)

               (Table 1) and Fassett and Calhoun (1952).

                                                          MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                          -24-

                RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

                Aquatic Vegetation of the Maisou Island Complex (1941-1982)

                1941:

                     In 1941, the wetland vegetation of the Maisou Island

                Complex was dominated by cattail marsh (Figure .7 ). Cattails

                accounted for more than half of the total vegetation and

                covered an area over three square miles (2024 acres) of

                the bay (Table 4 ). Large stands of cattails were located

                in offshore, wave-protected areas found to the east of

                Heisterman Island, throughout the West Marsh and from the

                East Marsh/Blind Pass region shoreward. Cattail stands

                were also present in the wave-exposed areas of DeFoe Reef,

                on the west side of Maisou Island and in the Bay Port Cut.

                The second most extensive class of vegetation in 1941 was

                the bulrushes and mixed emergents, occupying 1146 acres.

                Large stands were located in the offshore regions southeast

                of Middle Ground Island, an area locally known as the

                Black Rushes, and from Blind Pass shoreward. Scattered

                stands of bulrushes and mixed emergents were also identified

                near the shore of Maisou, Middle Ground and Heisterman

                Islands, and in areas bordering the cattail stands in the

                West Marsh. Grass and sedge communities, totalling approx-

                imately 655 acres (Table 4. ) were located in areas well-

                protected from wave action, commonly occupying the drier

                habitats bordering upland regions.

                                                           MIDWEST WATER REsoURCE MANAcEMENT
                                                                Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                                          @.ER
                                                                                                  ME I.S.T      AN*              J,
                                                                                                          .7,
                                                                                                          LAN:D_;'
                                                                                                                               -Xi                            MAISOU ISLAND COMPLEX
                                                                                                                                                                     AQUATIC VEGETATION

                                                                                                                                                                                  1941

                                                             N

                                               W-Zzzl        0   1::@E

                                                                                                                       V

                                                                                                                       c
                                                                                                                                                                                     CO                . . . . .

                                                                                                                                                                               -01

                                                                                                                                                                                                         ;7-

                                                                            47                                Upland
                                                                                                      Ej
                                                                                                                                                               0
                                                                                                              Cattail marsh
                                                                          0

                                                                        44/
                                                                                                              Grasses
                                                                                                              and sedges
                                                                                                                                                                MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                              Bulrushes and
                                                                                                                                                                             Charlotte. MI
                                                                                                              Mixed emergents

                                                                                                                                                                                                        LQ

                                                                                                                                                                                                        (D

                              Table 4. Marsh vegetation of the Maisou Island Complex during
                                          the period of 1941-1982 (expressed in acres). Positive
                                          number indicates marsh expansion; negative number indi-
                                          cates marsh loss.

                                               GRASSES          BULRUSHES                                  CHANGE
                                 CATTAIL         AND               AND            TOTAL WETLAND       FROM PREVIOUS
               YEAR               MARSH        SEDGES       MIXED EMERGENTS        VEGETATION               YEAR

               1941               2024           655               1146                3825

               1949               2233           517               725                 3475                 -350

               1955               1714           261               1064                3039                 -436

               1964               2467           570               555                 3592                 +553

               1968               1975           451               356                 2782                 -810

               1972               1302           262               228                 1792                 -990

               1978                 930          233               193                 1356                 -436

               1982                 817          264               165                 1246                 -110

               NET  CHANGE
               (1941-1982)        -1207          -391              -981                -2579

                                                                                                 MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                      Ctiarlotte, Michigaii

                                                                        27-

               19 49

                    Following 1941, water levels in Lake Huron rose about

               1-1.5 feet, fluctuated around this level until 1948, and

               dropped one foot by 1949. The overall net change in water

               level during 1941-1949 was less than 0.5 foot. During this

               period, approximately 350 acres of the total wetland vege-

               tation were lost from the marsh. This overall decrease was

               the net result of losses in both grass/sedge (138 acres)

               and bulrush/mixed emergent (421 acres) categories and an

               increase in cattail marsh (209 acres) (Table 4).

                    In 1949,.cattails again dominated the wetland vegetation

               (Figure 8). Cattails were more abundant in 1949 than 1941,

               accounting for more than 60% of the total vegetation and

               covering an area of approximately 2233 acres. This increase

               is primarily the result of cattail expansion in the West

               Marsh and East Marsh/Warner Marsh/Blind Pass regions (14%

               and 25% increase, respectively) (Appendix I). In these

               regions, cattails occupied areas where grasses and sedges

               were present in 1941. A loss of cattail coverage was noted

               in the deep-water zone of the offshore region east of

               Heisterman Island. Cattail stands in the open water of

               DeFoe Reef, however, remained relatively unchanged during

               this period. Fewer bulrush and mixed emergent stands were

               identified in .1949; losses occurred in regions of the West

               Marsh, Black Rushes and from Blind Pass-shoreward. The area

               occupied by grasses and sedges also diminished during this

                                                          MIOWEST WATER RESOURCE MANA(AMENT
                                                              Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                                                                                                      N .0                                                                        MAISOU ISLAND COMPLEX
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               AOLIATIC                   VEGETATION

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   1949

                                                                                                                                                                             q.

                                                                                        N

                                                               W--==-Zr 0                                     E

                                                                                      S

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        it

                                                                                                             0                                                        . ...........                                                                                                        c@
                                                                                                                                                  I y                 .!w. U11%

                                                                                           A 2

                                                        Qw

                                                                                                                                                                        Pland
                                                                                                                                   w,

                                                                                                                       z
                                                                                                                                                                      Cattail marsh
                                                                                         0
                                                                                       k
                                                                                                                                                                      Grasses
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         0
                                                                                                                                                                      and sedges
                                                                                                                                                       El
                                                                       ep
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      mitts
                                                                                                                                                                      Bulrushes and
                                                                                                                                                                      mixed emergents
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                           C-2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Charlotte. 1111

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               IQ
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             4                 00

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (D

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              0:)

                                                                              _29-

                period, however, largely due to-invasion of cattails as

                described above.

                1955:

                      Following 19491 water levels rose almost-three feet by

                1952 and subsequently dropped 1.2 feet by 1955. This

                resulted in an overall increase in the water level of 1.7

                feet from 1949 to 1955. During this period, approximately

                436 acres of the total wetland vegetation were lost (Table 4

                This loss is the result of a net change in areas covered by

                each of the three categories. An overall loss of 519 acres

                within cattail marshes and 261 acres from grass/sedge

                communities occurred. Bulrushes and mixed emergents

                expanded their range by 1964, and accumulated a net increase

                of 339 acres.

                     Although a loss of more than 500 acres of cattail marsh

                occurred during this period, cattails maintained their dominance,

                accounting for more than half of the total vegetation. Areas

                of significant cattail loss include the offshore marshes of

                DeFoe Reef (222 acres) and in the East Marsh/Warner Marsh/

                Blind Pass region (289 acres) (Appendix I). These losses

                resulted in the formation of large open-water areas, as shown

                in Figure 9     The outer edge of grass/sedge communities

                retracted landward by 1955, restricting the range of its dis-

                tribution.     This recession resulted in a loss of 256 acres;

                less than half of the total area occupied by grasses and

                sedges in 1949 were,present in 1955. Scattered stands of

                                                              MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMIFINIT
                                                                   Charlotte, Michigan 4T

                                                                                                   A N
                                                                                                                                                                              OMPLEX
                                                                                                                                             MAISOU ISLAND C
                                                                                                                                                                     EGETATION
                                                                                                                                                    AOUATIC V

                                                                                                                                                                1955

                                                                                              ODL9":GRQUN

                                                                                                                                                             4Z
                                                                                                                                            @ 4A.

                                                                                                                                                                      tt,

                                                           coo

                                                                      LU
                                                                                                            Upland
                                                                      Lu
                                                                     ir                                                                                  0
                                                                                                            Cattail marsh
                                                                   0
                                                                  uj                                        Grasses
                                                                                                            and sedges
                                                                                                                                                                                M N
                                                                                                                                                                                 A AGEMEN
                                                                                                                                                         MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE
                                                                                                            iBuirushes and
                                                                                                                                                                     CharlOttC M1
                                                                                                                          ts
                                                                                                            Mixed emergen

                                                                                                                                                                                                 C)

                                                                                                                                                                                        (D

                                                                          31-

               bulrushes and mixed  emergents replaced cattails  and grass/

               sedge communities in these areas of decline.

               19 6 4

                    From 1955 to 1959, water levels in Lake Huron dropped

               by 2.3 feet, underwent an abrupt increase of 1.5 feet in

               1960, then continued to decline. By 1964, water levels

               reached their historic low. These fluctuations resulted in

               a net decrease of 3.4 feet during the period of 1955-1964.

                    During this time interval, a net gain of 553 acres of

               total wetland vegetation was observed (Table 4 ). Both

               cattail and grass/sedge communities expanded significantly,

               representing an increase of 753 and 309 acres, respectively.

               By 1964, cattails re-entered the open water areas in DeFoe

               Reef and replaced bulrushes in areas within the East Marsh/

               Warner Marsh/Blind Pass complex (Figure 10). Grasses and

               sedges migrated into offshore regions and recolonized areas

               they occupied in 1949. Although these contributions are

               significant (1062 acres total), the net increase in marsh

               coverage is offset by dramatic losses within the bulrush/

               mixed emergent stands. These losses, totalling 509 acres,

               occurred in the regions of cattail and grass/sedge advance-

               ment discussed above, in addition to a reduction in the area

               of the Black Rushes.

               1968:

                    After the 1964 low, water levels in Lake Huron rose

               rapidly, and resulted in a net increase of 2.5 feet by 1968.

                                                           MIOWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGMENT
                                                                Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                      b. 4@

                                                                    HEI  TERMAN
                                                                        SLAND,
                                                                                                                      MAISOU
                                                                                                                                    ISLAND COMPLEX
                                                                                                                             AOUATIC VEGETATION

                                                                                                                                      1964
                                              N

                                   w-===za    0  r=--- E

                                                                                                                                                                          ... . ... .

                                                                         E
                                                                                Upland
                                                                            l

                                                                                Cattail marsh

                                                                                and
                                                                                   sedges

                                                                                Bulrushes and
                                                                                Mixed emergents

                                                  44/
                                                 4,0

                                                                                                                                  MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MAMAGEMENT
                                                                                                                                             chs,101te. MI

                                                                                                                                                                         LA)

                                                                                                                                                                 (D

                                                                         -33-

                During this four-year period, a total of 810 acres of marsh

                vegetation was eliminated (Table 4      In each of the vege-

                tation categories, major zones of reduction were observed.

                Significant losses of cattail marsh occurred along the exposed

                edges of stands in DeFoe Reef (211 acres), and in the deep-

                water areas along the east side of Heisterman Island (117 acres).

                (Figure 11) (Appendix I). In the Box Car region, the outer

                edge of grass/sedge communities eroded shoreward, resulting

                in a loss of approximately half of the 1964 coverage (103 acres).

                Losses in the bulrush/mixed emergent category (158 acres)

                were primarily due to elimination of the Black Rush region,

                southeast of Middle Ground Island. In spite of these changes,

                cattails still dominated the marsh in 1968, occupying over

                70% of the total wetland vegetation.

                1972:

                     During the next four years, water level s continued to

                rise-in Lake Huron and increased by nearly 1.5 feet in 1972.

                During this period (1968-1972), a total of 990 acres of wet-

                land vegetation was eliminated from the marsh (Table 4
                This represents a loss of 34% of the marsh as it existed in

                1968, an area equivalent to roughly 1.5 square miles of vege-

                tation.

                    As  in 1968, losses occurred within each of the three
                wetland categories. The area covered by.cattail marsh decreased

                673 Acres during this four period (Table 4      Losses were
                particularly evident in the well-protected embayment marshes,

                                                           MIDWEST WATEst RE SOURCE MANAC(MENT
                                                                Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                         ...HE.I.S.T.,F-RM.A.,N::;.'.:.::..: '.F:-
                                                                                                                                                MAISOU ISLAND COMPLEX
                                                                                                                                                        AQUATIC VEGETATION

                                                                                                                                                                   1968

                                                    N

                                                                 E

                                                                                             R

                                                    S

                                                                                Q

                                                                                                                                                                         v

                                                                     c-                 MIDDLE   I

                                                                                D       Upland

                                                                                        Cattail marsh

                                                              4.                        Grasses
                                                             44/
                                                            4Q                  LA      and sedges

                                                                                        Bulrushes and
                                                                                        Mixed emergents

                                                        4c/

                                                                                                                                                         MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                                                                                      Chorlotte. tAl

                                                                                                                                                                                                         Lo
                                                                                                                                                                                               LQ        69@:.

                                                                                                                                                                                                (D

                                                                              -35-

                 occurring throughout the East Marsh/Warner Marsh/Blind Pass region,

                 and along the outer edges of the massive cattail stand occu-

                 pying the West Marsh (Figure 12). These losses together

                 account for more than 500 acres of cattail marsh (Appendix I).

                 Additional cattail losses occurred in the deep-water zone

                 off the east shore of Heisterman Island, within the western

                 exposed side of Bay Port Cut and in DeFoe.Reef. Significant

                 losses also occurred within the grass/sedge communities,

                 covering an area of 189 acres throughout the marsh (Table 4).

                 Losses in this category resulted from continued recession

                 of the vegetation shoreward, and, as in the East Marsh,

                 elimination of vegetation in the formation of open water

                 areas (Figure 12).

                 1978:

                      Water levels in Lake Huron continued to rise, and by 1974

                 increased 1.6 feet. From 1974 to 1978, water levels declined

                 approximately 2.8 feet. Overall, the water level during 1972-

                 1978 fell by 1.2 feet. Throughout this six year period, an

                 additional 436 acres of wetland vegetation were eliminated from

                 the marsh (Table 4).

                      As in 1972, cattails  suffered significant losses, totalling

                 372 acres. This r  epresents approximately 85% of the total

                 vegetation lost. Losses followed a similar pattern as those

                 described for 1972 (Figure 13). Elimination of cattails

                 throughout the West Marsh and East,Marsh/Warner Marsh/Blind

                 Pass regions continued, accounting for a total of 246 acres.,

                                                              MIDWEST WATER REsouRcE MANAGEMENT
                                                                   Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                                        H E 15 TIE R M A N                             MAISOU ISLAND COMPLEX
                                                                                                                                                               AQUATIC
                                                                                                                                                                               VEGETATION

                                                                                                                                                                          1972

                                                                                                                             @4z@
                                                                                                                              IN-

                                                    W-===Z:::l    0            E

                                                                                                                               P&

                                                                                                                                                                                  co
                                                                                                                                                                                  co

                                                                                                                                                                                         VIM
                                                                                                                                                                    Pq
                                                                                                                                                 -WO

                                                               ...........

                                                                                             Upland
                                                                ...........          F1
                                                       1Y.
                                                                                             Cattail marsh
                                                                     4@               . .....
                                                                                             Grasses
                                                                                             and sedges

                                                               0                             Bulrushes and
                                                              4(                             Mixed emergents                                                    0

                                                                                                                                                                 MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                                                                                              ch.,101t., MI

                                                                                                                                                                                                  LQ        ON
                                                                                                                                                                                                  5@        I
                                                                                                                                                                                                  F1
                                                                                                                                                                                                  (D

                                                                                                      -eta   E R
                                                                                                                                                      MAISOU I
                                                                                                                                                                         SLAND
                                                                                                                                                                                        COA4P
                                                                                                                                                               AOUATIC                           LEX
                                                                     N                                                                                                        VEGETA
                                                                                                                                                                                         TION
                                                                                                                                                                        1978

                                                                                 E

                                                                                                                                       ooe aax
                                                                                                      19, A

                                                                         0

                                                                                                                                                          M-,

                                                                                                                                                                        co

                                                       V-15

                                                                                  UPland
                                                   %                                                                                   47,00
                                                                                  Cattail marsh
                                                                         B
                                                                                 Grasses
                                                                                 and sedges
                                                                                Bulrushes and
                                     ,5                                    1-1 J- 'Xed emergents
                                                                                M,

                                                                                                                                                  0

                                                                                                                                                   01i)WEST WAT." RESOURCE 44ANAGEIWENT

                                                                                                                                                                                   (D

                                                                              -38-

                 In DeFoe Reef, cattail stands diminished to less than 50%

                 of levels present in 1972,,suffering a loss of approximately

                 99 acres (Appendix I).

                 1982:

                      Following 1978, water levels increased by 0.7    feet in

                 1980 and decreased 0.7 feet by 1982. Overall, the     net water

                 level in Lake Huron remained unchanged during 1978-1982.

                 Throughout this four year period, a total of 110 acres of

                 wetland vegetation was lost from the marsh (Table 4). Cattail

                 decline continued in the West Marsh (Figure 14). A total of

                 92 acres of cattails was lost in this region, representing

                 over 83% of the total vegetation eliminated during this period

                 (Appendix I). Areas of cattail die-off were located within

                 the offshore stands, occupying the interior of the West Marsh.

                 Cattail stands located in the remaining regions of the Maisou

                 Island complex.exhibited no significant losses or gains. The

                 other vegetation categories investigated also showed no dramatic

                 changes during this period.

                 Summary, 1941-1982:

                      Aerial photographs of the Maisou Island complex covering

                 eight growing seasons during the period of 1941-1982 were

                 examined extensively. Although these photographs represent

                 only fragments of time during this 41-year interval, our

                 observations on wetland vegetation types, their distribution,

                 and changes in their abundance throughout this period show

                 several significant and recurring trends@.   Specifically, our

                                                              M10WEST WATER R[souRct MANAGEMENT
                                                                   Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                                                                         MAISOU ISLAND COMPLEX
                                                                                                                                                  AQUATIC VEGETATION

                                                                                                                                                            1982

                                                      N

                                                      0 jl:@@E

                                                       S

                                                                                                                                                                          C4

                                                                       0
                                                                                              DLE.-

                                                                                                                                                    eve

                                                                                        Upland
                                                                                F@

                                                                                        Cattail marsh

                                                                 ILL
                                                                4U                      Grasses
                                                                4U                      and sedges

                                                                                        Bulrushes and
                                                                                        Mixed emergents                                                   0

                                                                                                                                                             MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

                                                                                                                                                                          Charlotte, M1

                                                                                                                                                                                              Lq

                                                                                                                                                                                               (D

                                                                          -40-

                analysis of the Maisou Island complex during the period of

                1941-1982 shows:

                      1.  The marsh is cattail dominated. Despite the
                          massive cattail.losses observed, cattails con-
                          tinued to be the most major category identified,
                          and occupied 53-73% of the total wetland area
                          throughout this period.

                     2.   No major changes in the distribution of emergent
                          vegetation types occurred. Although plant beds
                          expanded and contracted throughout the years
                          examined, no dramatic replacements of one vege-
                          tation type for another were noticed. In many
                          areas of the marsh, distinct outlines and zonation
                          patterns of plant beds and other marsh features
                          remained unchanged from 1941 to 1982. This
                          suggests that the distribution and zonation
                          patterns of the marsh were well-established  prior
                          to 1941. Moreover, these patterns were highly
                          stable under the variable water regimes.

                     3.   The marsh has suffered significant losses. Our
                          analysis estimates that approximately 6 square
                          miles of wetland vegetation were present in 1941.
                          By 1982, only 2 aquare miles remained. This
                          represents a net loss of 4 square miles of wet-
                          land vegetation, an overall decrease to one-third
                          of the marsh as it existed in 1941. Cattails
                          suffered significantlyj losing approximately
                          1.9 square miles throughout this period. In
                          addition, 1.5 square miles of bulrushes and mixed
                          emergents and 0.6 square miles of grasses and
                          sedges present in 1941 had disappeared by 1982.

                Water Level-Marsh Relations:

                     Waterlevels in Saginaw Bay fluctuated broadly throughout

                the period of 1941 to 1984. Two near-historic highs (1952 and

                1973) and the historic low (1964) were achieved within the

                span of aerial photography coverage. Pigure 15 plots marsh

                acreage and water levels to demonstrate their relationship.

                     Throughout the years examined, five periods of increasing

                water levels can be identified. These include 1941-1949,

                                                            MIOWfST WATER RE SOURCE MANAGE MENT
                                                                 charlotte, Michigan

                                          Figure 15            Histogram of marsh coverage of the three wetland
                                                               categories during the period of 1941-1982. Upper
                                                               graph, a plot of mean annual water levels of
                                                               Lake Huron (1930-1983).
                    30                        40                                 Year (19-)        610                       70                        81            581

                                                                                                                                                        __580
                                                                                                                                                                          M
                                                                                        1955                                   /1972                          IeA         0
                                                                                                                                                                     579 'c
                                                                                                                                                                          CO
                             -year                                                                                VL68"Or                     19;7 By      0.4            1-*-
                          54         mean                                                    - - -1 k, - - -                                  - - _1-@         - .        0
                                                                                                                                                                    -578
                                                                  1949                                                                                        1      577
                  4-                              11941                                                                                                       1
                                                                                                                                                              I
                                                                                                                                                              T-576
                                                                                                        19               1                         1

                                                                                                                                                                     575

                  3-            U773
                                LI A
                00         Bulrushes and
                  0
                         Mixed emergents
                  0

                                                                                                                                                                      2
                  2-

                           Cattail marsh
                                                                                                                                                                      X
                                F, "VI                                                                                                                                 80

                               Grasses
                             and sedges
                                                                                     , ON
                                                                                                                                                  IR

                                                                                     lo

                                                                        -42-

                1949-1955, 1964-1968, and 1978-1982. During each of these

                periods, a decrease in the total area of wetland vegetation

                in the Maisou Island occurred. Water levels decreased during

                two periods examined, 1955-1964 and 1972-1978. The marsh

                expanded significantly between the years 1955 and 1964.

                However, from 1972 to 1978, losses in marsh acreage were

                observed. With the import-ant exception of the period of 1972-

                1978, the relationship of increasing water with a decrease

                in marsh acreage and decreasing water levels with an increase

                in marsh acreage appears to follow a consistent pattern.

                    The magnitude of the change in marsh coverage in response

                to a given change in water level was not consistent over the

                study period. Moreover, it must also be concluded that the

                acreage which could be expected for any specific water level

                cannot be drawn from these data.

                    In-an attempt to spot water-related.forcing variables,

                a graph was developed to express the change in water level

                from growing season to the following winter (Figure 16).

                This variable, AH, is the difference between growing season

                mean water level (June, July, August) and the following winter

                mean (January, February, March). Typically, water levels

                decline from growing season to winter. An increase from

                growing season to winter can be expected to damage plant

                communities by flooding rhizomes through broken stems and

                leaves.

                    Figure 16 shows that 1941, 1951, 1959, 1965, and 1982

                                                          MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANACEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                               Figure 16.       Difference between growing season water level (mean value of June 1-August 31) and
                                                                the following winter season water level (mean value of January 1-March 31).
                                                                Positive values indicate winter water levels higher than previous growing season.
                                                                Dashed line indicates the 80-year mean of this variable.

                             +0.5                                                                                                                                                                      +0.5

                              0                                                                                                                                                                          0

                             -0.5                                                                                                                                                                      -0.5

                                                                                    - - - - - - - - -                     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

                             -1.0                                                                                                                                                                      -1.0
                   (f L)

                             -2.0                                                                                                                                                                      -2.0
                                                                   -              Mean (1900 - 80)

                             -2.5    30             35            40            45             so            55            60             65            70             75             80            85 -2.5

                                                                                                                 Year
                                                                                                                 (19-)

                                                                                                                                                                 MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                                                                                          Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                         -44-

                winter water levels likely stress emergent plant communi ties.

                Unfortunately, air photos were not available for growing

                seasons immediately following winter increases. Also, the

                period from 1972 to 1978, which is inconsistent with the

                trends shown in Figure 15, showed moderate to below-average

                winter levels, which should not stress overwintering of

                emergent plants. The noted decrease in marsh acreage from

                1972 to 1978 remains unexplained.

                                                           MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                              _45-

                 1985 CONDITIONS

                 Muskrat Density

                      Muskrat activities, including feeding, feeding platform

                 construction and lodge-building all consume emergent wetland

                 vegetation. 1985 field surveys gave indications that muskrat

                 activities may be exerting an excessive demand on vegetation

                 production in the Maisou complex. Among the indications

                 that muskrat populations currently exceed the optimal levels

                 were:

                      1.  Cleared areas surrounding individual lodges in
                          the East Marsh have coalesced with those of
                          neighboring lodges. Several cattail stands in
                          the East Marsh have been eliminated entirely (see
                          Figure 17).

                      2.  Cattail rhizomes did not over-winter in many areas
                          where lodges were present. This was indicated by
                          standing dead leaves of 1984 stands, without new
                          growth as of Ju ly, 1985.

                      3.  Lodge and feeding platform construction from materials
                          other than cattail exist. Available literature
                          indicates that muskrats prefer cattails.

                    'Low-level aerial photography was flown during October,

                 1985, to observe muskrat lodge densities throughout the

                 Maisou complex. Three areas, the western fringe of the East

                 Marsh, and the western halves of Boxcar Marsh and the Dry

                 Lake, had lodge densities greater than 7 per acre. USGS air

                 photos from 1968 were also examined: Several areas of the

                 West Marsh, Bay Port Cut and Blind Pass had high lodge den-

                 sities (5 to 7 per acre). Areas of high lodge density appear

                 to correlate well with cattail loss zones in subsequent

                 years, but the 4-year interval between photographs prohibits

                                                              MIDWEST WATEst RtsouRcE MANArEMENT
                                                                   Charlotte, Michigan

                                                            Figure 17. Map showing current status of
                                                                                Mai'sou Island complex, f985.

                                                                                            7,

                                                      HeIsterman
                                                        1918nd
                                                                                             C>
                                                                                                               Wildfowl Bay

                                                                                                       0

                                                                                                   ep
                                                                                     Bayport
                                                                                       cut
                                    Saginaw Bay

                                                                       0

                                                                                                                           Rush Cut

                                                                                                                                                  C=

                                                                    Lake           West
                                                                                   Marsh
                                                                           G@l                     7D

                                                               od                                           Jump Cut                    0

                                                                                                           ast
                                                         Marsh.                                                                      b
                                     Malsou                                                              Marsh
                                    Island

                                                                                       Mite Cut
                                                                                Middle Grou   de
                                                                                    Island

                                                                                                                       40

                                                          CAW
                                                        Cut             Black
                                                                        Pushes

                                              0
                                            C@                                                                C9
                                                               Sebewaing Bay
                                          Cl

                   Defoe
                   Island                                           Muskrat Lodge                                                                  N
                                                                    Density Exceeds
                                                                    7 per Acre

                                                                    Upland                    0      Breach in Strandline                         0 T--E
                                                           1. 7 @.777 Emergent                      Cattails Displaced
                                                                    Vegetation                      by Bur Reed

                                                                                                                                                   S
                                                                    .5
                                                                Miles

                                                                                                                                                                  LQ

                                                                                                                                                                   (D

                                                                         -47-

               detailed analysis. There is no question that muskrats are

               presently eliminating cattail stands which had been among

               the very stable features of the marsh over the past 44 years.

                    It is important to note that air photos show DeFoe Reef

               stands have not had muskrat populations since before 1972.

               Cattail acreage in DeFoe did not change significantly during

               the subsequent ten years.

               Bur Reed Expansion

                    Large areas of the East and Warner Marshes show increasing

               stands of bur reed (Sparganium eurycarpum). These were first

               observed during 1983 field studies. Black and white photo-

               graphy cannot be used to distinguish bur reed from cattail,

               so stands may have been present well before 1983. Ground

               truth surveys by MDNR personnel in 1970 and by Enslin and

               McIntosh (ca. 1982) did not report bur reed.

                    Bur reed populations for 1985 were.located by ground

               truth during August, and by low-level color aerial photo-

               graphy in October. Bur reed stands develop a dark, red-

               brown color in October, while cattails.turn to a light

               tan. Major beds of bur reed are shown in Figure 17. Other,

               small stands are now found near Dynamite Cut and in the

               Boxcar Marsh.

               Breaches

                    High water levels and wave action are causing several

               sections of barrier strand to breach, opening embayment

               marshes to increased waves and siltation. Four such areas

                                                          MIDWEST WATER REsouRcE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                             -48-

                are shown in Figure 17. Continued high water will likely

                cause destruction of the ridge separating the East and West

                Marshes. The East Marsh will also be broadly exposed to

                Sebewaing Bay. It is very unlikely that these breaches

                will close naturally until water levels drop significantly.

                Suspended Solids Loading

                     Discharge rates and total suspended solids (TSS) samples

                were collected during May, July, and August, 1985. These

                data are summarized in Table 5. Discharge and TSS values

                were used to calculate the solids loading on a per-day basis.

                Given southerly winds, Boxcar and Dynamite Cuts reach very

                high flow velocities, sometimes in excess of one foot per

                second. During May, influent loads reached 150,000 pounds

                dry weight per day. With effluent loads at 68,000 lbs/day,

                net deposition in the West Marsh was 82,000,lbs/day.

                     North winds caused flow reversals with flows again

                exceeding one foot per second. Under these conditions,

                there was a small net  export of,TSS from the marsh. But the

                prevailing southerly winds cause the embayment marshes to

                gain sediment much more frequently.

                     Rocking seiche conditions were observed during the

                July and August samplings. Flow reversals occurred over

                periods of several minutes. During August, these reversals

                prevented calculation of loading estimates.

                Sediment Texture Analysis

                     Particle size analysis was conducted on hydrosoil samples

                                                              MIDWEST WATER Rf SOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                   Charlotte, Michigan

                       Table 5     Results of.suspended sediment and water discharge analysis in the
                                   Maisou Island complex, May through August, 1985. Positive values
                                   indicate flow or loading into marsh; negative values show output
                                   from marsh. Replicate values TSS are given; mean value indicated
                                   parenthetically.

                                                 Total Suspended Solids                              Loading Rate
                Sampling Location      Date                mg/1             Discharge Rate (cfs)       (lbs/day)

                   Boxcar Cut         May 16     45.8, 45.0, 45.3(45.4)              +136               +33,076
                                     July 17         10, 15, 15(13.3)                  -88                -6,270
                                     August 22          14, 12(13)                     +61                .+4,248

                  Dynamite Cut        May 16     40.0, 40.8, 46.0(42.3)              +517               +117,152
                                     July 17         10, 10, 10(10)                  -548               -29,356
                                     August 22          7.0, 5.0(6)                  -414               -13,307

                   Bayport Cut        May 16     18.2,  20.3, 19.8(19.4)             -653
                                     July 17         10, 10, 10(10)                  +636               +34,071.
                                     August 22         7.5, 7.0(7.3)

                   Net Loading        May 16                                                            +82,364
                Einlets- outlets)    July 17                                                              -1,555
                                     August 22

                   Blind Pass         May 16     49.0, 55.3, 49.0(51.1)
              (by-passing marshes)   July 17         30, 30, 30(30)
                                     August 22         16, 17(16.5)

                *Variable winds caused frequent flow reversals.

                                                                                                                        @.D

                                                                                               MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                     Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                         _50-

               from six locations, shown in Figure 6. Significant differ-

               ences were found between sites, as given in Table 6.

                    All samples from West Marsh (sites 1, 2, 5, and 6) had

               very high clay/silt content; values ranged from 44 to 93 percent.

               Boxcar Marsh samples showed moderate clay content, approx-

               imately 30 percent. The clay/silt content of these hydro-

               soils is caused by suspended solids loading discussed above.

                    Hydrosoil samples from DeFoe Reef were very sandy, with

               clay/silt levels well below ten percent. Wave action on

               DeFoe Reef keeps clay/silt-sized particles in suspension,

               preventing deposition.

                    Clay/silt particles give us concern for three reasons:

               1. Deposition of small particulates likely increases oxygen

               stress on cattail rhizome systems, especially during winter

               months; 2. Soil particles may carry contaminants such as

               herbicides and metals; and, 3. Silt/clay loads decrease

               light penetration into the water, lowering productivity

               of submersed plants.

               Heavy Metals

                    Heavy metals derived'from natural sources and industrial

               discharges can influence aquatic life forms, including emergent

               plants. Sediment samples from each of the six locations

               shown in Figure 6 were screened for heavy metal content.

               Results of these tests are shown in Table 7. None of the

               observed values exceeded the range of natural variability

               of hydrosoils, especially in view of the high clay/silt

                                                          MIDWEST WATEit RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

    -----------

                    Table 6. Results of soil particle size analysis for six sites in the Maisou complex.
                                  Results are given for upper (U), middle (M), and lower (L) portions of
                                  24-inch hammer-driven Shelby tube samples. Sample locations are shown
                                  in Figure 6

                 Depth % Gravel % Coarse Sand            % Medium Sand % Fine Sand             % Silt/Clay           Notes

                 (SITE 11

                   U                                                                                            Root Mat/Peat
                   M      0.30           6.12                  4.89            6.04              81.76
                   L      0.15           2.72                14.38           16.42               65.56

                 [SITE 21

                   U                                                                                            Root Mat/Peat
                   M                                                                                            Fibrous Peat
                   L      1.49           8.30                18:.37'         19.02               51.23

                 [SITE 31

                   U                                                                                            Root  Mat
                   M      5.54           8.80                35.98           41.67                 6.96
                   L      1.22           2.43                30.64           61.14                 2.78

                 [SITE 41
                   U                                                                                            Root Mat/Peat
                   M      7.06           15.34               18.90           23.04               34.52
                   L     19.97           11.05               18.73           25.83               23.49

                 [SITE 51
                   U                                                                                            Root Mat/Peat
                   M      0.10           0.48                  2.36            6.85              88.05
                   L      0.0            0.26                  0.55            4.90              93.30

                 [SITE 61
                   U                                                                                            Root Mat/Peat
                   M      0.20           11.61               10.00           30.60               44.01
                   L      0.36           8.33                15.50           17.38               56.00

                                                                                                          MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                                Charlotte, Michigari

                                                                                    Table 7.        Results of Chemistry Analysis on 18-inch Sediment Cores Collected
                                                                                                    at Six Sites in the Maisou Island Complex. Analysis was Conducted
                                                                                                    for Materials Collected in Both the Upper and Lower Portion of
                                                                                                    Each Core.        All Values are Reported as mg/kg dry weight.                          Detection
                                                                                                    Limits are Given Parenthetically; These Limits Vary with Sample
                                                                                                    Moisture Content.

                                                                                                                                ANALYSIS RESULTSt
                         Site     Segment              Al                   Cd                    Ca                    Cu                    Fe                   Pb                    14q                  Mn                  Ni                 Ln
                            I     Upper          2800    (0.23)       0.45     (0.23)      19000    (0.23)      6.1     (0.47)           3500(0.47)          23.0     (2.4)       8900      (0.23)       93   (0.23)          4 .7  (0.94)      30   (0.19)
                                  Lower          4500    (0.33)       0.79     (0.33)      96000    (0.33)      6 .4    (0.66)        11000(0.66)             9.3     (3.3)      25000      (0.33)       280  (0.33)         11     (1.3)       40   (0.26)
                            2     Upper          1900    (0.37)      <0.33     (0.33)      .2800    (0.33)      4 . 3   (0.74)           3700(0.74)           4.4     (3.7)          920    (0.33)       37   (0.33)          3.5   (1-5)       34   (0,30)
                                  Lower          2700    (0.25)       0.33     (0.33)      18000    (0.33)      2.4     (0.51)           4400   (0.51)       <2.5     (2.5)      11000      (0.25)       98   (0.25)          5.1   (1.0)       35   (0.20)
                            3     Upper          1900    (0.27)       0.33     (0.27)      12000    (0.27)      3. 3    (0.54)           3300   (0.54)       <2.7     (2.7)       6100      JO.27)       35   (0.27)          4 .5  (1.1)       34   (0.22)
                                  Lower            900   (0.25)      <0.25     (0.25)      8300     (0.25)      0.80    (0.50)           1800   (0.50)       <2.5     (2.5)       3400      (0.25)       29   (0.25)          1.4   (1.0)       16   (0.20)
                            4     Upper          4900    (0.28)       0.74     (0.28)      64000    (0.28)      3.6     (0.56)           7800   (0.56)       <2.8     (2.8)      27000      (0.28)       94   (0.28)          9.2   (1.1)       59   (0.23)
                                  Lower#1          930   (0.13)      <0.13     (0.13)      15000    (0.13)      0.36    (0.26)           1300   (0.26)        3.0     (1.3)       5000      (0.13)       27   (0.13)          1.5   (0.51)      10   (0.10)
                                  Lower    $2    1100    (0.11)       0.20     (0.11)      40000    (0.11)      1.8     (0.22)           1700   0.22)         1.6     (1.1)      12000      (0.11)       38   (0.11)          2.0   (0.44)      11   (0.09)
                            5     Upper          3700    (0.39)       0.43     (0.39)      28000    (0.39)      3.1     (0.78)           4700   (0.78)       <3.9     (3.9)      11000      (0.39)       79   (0.39)          6.o   (1.6)       55   (0.31)
                                  Lower          1900    (0.15)       0.24     (0.15)      '32000   (0.15)      0.66    (0.30)           3800   (0.30)       <1.5     (1.5)      15000      (0.15)       72   (0.15)          3.4   (0.60)      19   (0.12)
                            6     Upper          5200    (0.39)       0.59     (0.39)      9500     (0.39)      7.8     (0.59)           6400   (0.59)        5.1     (3.9)       4100      (0.39)       80   (0.39)          9.2   (1.6)       64   (0.31)
                                  Lower          8200    (0.48)       0.76     (0.48)      22000    (0.48)      6.3     (0.95)           9300   (0.95)       <4.8     (4.8)      15000      (0.48)       91   (0.48)         13     (1-9)       61   (0.38)
                            t Key to the elements:               Al    Aluminum;      Cd      Cadmium;      Ca      Calcium;     Cu      Copper; Fe          Iron; Pb        Lead; Mg         Magnesium; Mn =          Manganese; Ni            Nickel;
                                                                 and  Zn       Zinc.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             (-n

                                                                                                                                                                                                         MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                       -53-

                content of sediment loads. However, heavy metal sampling by

                MDNR personnel (1974) at offshore locations in Saginaw Bay

                showed generally lower levels than were found in our studies

                (see Appendix IV). Although Maisou sediment heavy metals

                were slightly elevatedf we do not expect heavy metals to

                significantly impact aquatic plant-growth.

                Herbicides

                    MWRM staff developed concern over potential herbicide

                damage to Maisou Island cattail stands following observations

                of unusual die-back patterns in 1983 (see Preliminary Field

                Studies, pp. 7-8). Sediment samples were collected for

                herbicide analysis during FY 84 studies, and delivered to

                U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, East Lansing, Michigan, for

                analysis.

                    Analysis was performed for the following herbicides:

                    1. Atrazine
                    .2. Simazine
                    3. Propazine
                    4. Prometon

                All values were reported to be below detection levels of

                0.02 mg/kg. These herbicides are expected to have relatively

                long half-lives in sediments (eg. 150-385 days for atrazine).

                Therefore, we must discount the important of herbicides in

                causing the observed die-backs. No additional samples were

                collected during FY 85 studies due to lack of available funding.

                                                          MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                Taxonomy of Cattail Marshes

                     Representative samples of cattails from the marshes of

                DeFoe Reef, Dynamite Cut and Box Car were examined. Morpho-

                logical characteristics of both floral and vegetative struc-

                tures were studied.

                     Flowers of plants from each of the three sites showed

                characteristics common to Typha angustifolia. These include

                the presence of small hairlike bracts, stigmas filiform-in

                shape, and a flattened aborted pistil. Flowers of T. latifolia

                are distinguished from those of T. angustifolia by the absence

                of bracts, stigmas that are flattened, and club or pear-shaped

                aborted pistils that are rounded at the apex (after Fassett

                and Calhoun, 1952). Samples collected from the three sites,

                however, differed considerably with respect to stature of the

                plant body and the pistillate spikes. Characteristics observed

                are given in Table S.

                    Plants collected from DeFoe Reef-differed considerably

                in stature than plants collected from the marshes of Dynamite

                Cut and Box Car. These plants are characterized by a slender

                base, tall and narrow leaves, and short, narrow pistillate

                spikes,that are much overtopped.by the leaves (Table 8).

                On the basis of both floral and vegetative structures, plants

                from DeFoe Reef are identified as Typha angustifolia (Table 1).

                    Plants collected from Dynamite Cut and Box Car are more

                robust in stature than those of DeFoe Reef, producing broader

                stems and leaves and larger pistillate spikes, moderately

                                                          MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                 Table 8      Descriptive characteristics of Typha sp. collected
                                              in Maisou Island complex, August 22, 1985.

                        Character                DeFoe Reef               Dynamite Cut                   Box Car

                VEGETATIVE STRUCTURES
                   A.   Height                    x   2.15 m                  x    1.9 M                x   1.9 m
                                                  (2.0 - 2.4)                 (1.8 - 2.0)               (1.5 - 2.2)
                   B.   Stem                       x = 20 mm                   x = 23 mm                 x = 28 mm
                                                   (17 - 24)                   (16 - 29)                 (17 - 40)
                   C.   Leaf
                        1.   Width                 x   7.5 mm                  x    10.8 mm              X   12 mm
                                                    (7 - 8)                      (8 - 13)                 (11 - 13)
                        2.   Shape             Convex on Back               Convex on Back           Convex on    Back

                REPRODUCTIVE
                      STRUCTURES

                   A.   Mature Pis-
                        tillate
                        Spikes
                        1.   Color             Reddish Brown              Light Brown,                Reddish Brown
                                                                        Becoming Whitish                  And Buff
                        2.   Height of
                             Spikes in         Much Overtopped         Moderately Over-            Moderately Overtopped
                             Relation              by Leaves           topped-by Leaves                  by Leaves
                             to Leaves

                        3.   Size

                             a)Length              x = 14 cm                x = 26 cm                      X = 23 cm
                                                                                                                           Ln
                                                                                                                           Ln
                             b)Width               x = 17 mm                x = 23 mm                      x = 15 mm
                                                   (14 - 19)                (21 - 25)                      (14 - 18)
                        4.   Distance
                             between            2.4 - 4.2 cm            0.9 - 2.8 cm.                      2 - 10 cm
                             pistillate
                             & staminate
                             spikes                                                                MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                         Char)otte, Michigan---

                                                                        -56-

                overtopped by the leaves (Table 8). However, cattails of

                Dynamite.Cut and Box Car also showed many differences. Those

                from Dynamite Cut are intermediate in vegetative structure,

                but produce larger pistillate spikes. Plants from Box Car

                are more robust in stature, but produce somewhat smaller

                pistillate spikes. These plants show many features of the

                hybrid, T. glauca (Table 1). Differences between these two

                populations may be the result of ecotypic variation, which

                commonly occurs in hybrid populations.

                                                          MiDwEsT WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                       -57-

               RECOMMENDATIONS

                    MWRM staff has developed three sets of recommendations

               for consideration by MDNR, NOAA, Saginaw Valley Waterfowlers

               and other potential funding sources:

               IMMEDIATE REMEDIAL'ACTIONS

                    1.  Muskrat control: Muskrat populations have invaded
                        nearly all remaining cattail stands in the Maisou/
                        Middle Grounds area. Lodge densities exceeded 7/acre
                        over large areas. Personal communication with local
                        trappers indicates that trapping pressure is very
                        low to nonexistent at this time. We recommend
                        immediate removal of muskrats, to the extent possible.
                        This will require special experimental regulations
                        for muskrat control.

                    2.  Breach repair: Areas of protective barrier which
                        have breached during recent storms should be repaired
                        as soon.as possible. These zones are shown in Figure 17.
                        If protective barrier strands are not re-established,
                        wind and wave action will dismember remaining stands
                        and sediment deposition will increase.

               DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS FOR LONG-TERM REMEDIAL ACTION

                    1.  Islet construction: Cattail re-establishment  requires
                        very shallow water. once growing, a healthy stand
                        will invade water up to 2 to 4 foot depths. We
                        recommend construction of shallow flats or small
                        islets to act as centers of re-invasion by cattails.

                    2.  Channel construction: Suspended solids loads to
                        the embayment marshes have dramatically altered
                        sediment textures. Channelization of Dynamite Cut
                        flows, through the West Marsh to Bay Port Cut,
                        will channel sediment loads through the marsh and
                        reduce deposition. Spoils from channelization can
                        be utilized for islet construction.

               ADDITIONAL STUDIES -

                    1.  Exclosures: The late start date for FY 85 studies
                        precluded construction of exclosures. These structures
                        are-designed to eliminate muskrat and carp damage
                        from sensitive cattail stands. We recommend testing
                        exclosures for effectiveness, particularly to assist
                        in development of new cattail stands or islets. These
                        new stands would be extremely sensitive to animal damage.

                                                         MOOMST WAT(a RESOURCE MANACEMENT
                                                              Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                        -58-

                    2.  Seedling germination: Transplant of cattail rhizomes
                        is impractical for large-scale marsh renovation.
                        Because water levels remain high, MWRM staff recommends
                        repopulation of islets and the Maisou marshes by
                        the narrow-leaved cattail, Typha angustifolia. To
                        insure proper genetic composition, we suggest that
                        a seedling germination pilot study be conducted,
                        using seed heads collected at DeFoe Reef. Once
                        established in the laboratory, many thousands of
                        seedlings can be distributed in shallows and on mud
                        flats or islets with a minimal effort.

                                                          MIOWEST WATIst Resouitc(MANACEMENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                         _59-

               ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

                    The Maisou Island project stands as an example of the

               rewards generated by cooperation between dedicated private

               groups, state and Federal governments. These efforts have

               been successful largely through the vision and persistance

               of the Saginaw Valley Waterfowlers Association, especially

               its Maisou Island Project Committee, including Mark Gregson,

               Joseph Corp, David Ostrander, Michael Butz and Robert Hunkins.

               The on-site support of Tom, Pat and Todd Wyniecki was essential

               for completion of field tasks.

                    Staff of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has

               provided encouragement and assistance throughout the Maisou

               Project. Jerry Martz, Wildlife Division, Jim Ribbons, and the

               late Hugh Sellick, Division of Land Resource Programs, all

               provided technical and administrative assistance necessary

               for completion of this project.

                    We 'further   wish to thank State Representative

               Tom Scott, Congressman Bob Traxler and his staff represent-

               ative.Mary Wood for their support since the inception of the

               Maisou Project. This document was prepared, in part, through

               financial assistance provided by the Coastal Zone Management

               Act of 1972, administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal

               Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-

               tration. Without the assistance of these elected representatives,

               the Maisou Project would have been delayed or possibly not

               initiated.

                                                          M10WIST WAY(st Rtsoustct MANAC(MENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                   -60-

                                        MAISOU ISLAND PROJECT

                                             Bibliography

                  I. Wetland Ecology:, Reviews

                  II.  Distribution and Taxonomy of Typha Species

                 III.  Seed Germination and Seedling Establishment in Typha Species

                  IV.  Ecological and Ph  ysiological Characteristics of Typha Species

                   V.  Wetland Response to Fluctuating Water Levels

                  VI.  Ecological Characteristics of Muskrat and C      arp Damage
                               to Wetlands

                 VII.  Related References

                                                                  M10WEST WATHt RisouRc( MANAGEMENT
                                                                       Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                         -61-

                     Wetland Ecology: Reviews

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                     Brinson, M.M. A.E. Lugo and S. Brown. 1981. "Primary
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                     Whigham, D.F., J. McCormick, R.E. Good and.R.L. Simpson.
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                     Distribution and Toxonomy of Typha Species

                     Bayley, I.L. and T.A. O'Neill. 1971. "A study of
                          introgression in Typha at Point Pelee Marsh,
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                     Fassett, N.C. and-B. Calhoun. 1952. "Introgression
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                     Hayden, A. 1939. "Notes on Typha angustifolia in Iowa."
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                     Hotchkiss, N. and H.L. Dozier. 1949. "Taxonomy and dis-
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                     Krattinger, K. 1975. "Genetic mobility in Typha." Aquat.
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                     Smith, S.G. 1967. "Experimental and natural hybrids in
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                                                          MIDWEST WAT(st RisouotcE MANAGWENT
                                                               Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                             -62-

                III. Seed Germination and Seedling Establishment in Typha Species

                      Bonasera, J., J. Lynch and M.A. Leck. 1979. "Comparison
                           of the allelopathic potential of four marsh species."
                           Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, 106: 217-222.

                      Bedish, J.W. 1967. "Cattail moisture requirements and
                           their significance to marsh management." Am. Midl.
                           Nat., 78: 288-300.

                      Grace, J.B. 1983. "Autotoxin inhibition of seed germin-
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                      Grace, J.B. 1984. "Effects of tubificid worms on the
                           germination and establishment of Typha." Ecology,
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                      McNaughton, S.J. 1968. "Autotoxic feedback in relation
                           to germination and seedling growth in Typha latifolia L."
                           Ecology, 49: 367-369.

                      Morinaga, T. 1926. "Effect of alternatingtemperatures
                           upon the germination of seeds." Amer. J. Bot.,
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                      Morinaga, T. 1926. "The    favorable effect of reduced
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                           Amer. J. Bot., 13: 159-166.

                      Sharma, K.P. and B. Gopal. -1978. "Seed germination and
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                           Aquat. Bot., 4: 353-358.

                      Sifton, H.B. 1959. "The germination of light-sensitive
                           seeds of Typha latifolia L." Can. J. Bot., 37:
                           719-739.

                      Weller, M.W. 1975. "Studies of cattail in relation to
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                           4 9 :383-412.

                      Yeo, R.R. 1964. "Life history of common cattail."
                           Weeds, 12: 284-288.

                IV. Ecological and Physiological Characteristics of Typha Species

                      Agami, M., Litar, M. and Y. Waisel. 1976. "The effects
                           of various components of water pollution on.the
                           behavior of,some aquatic macrophytes of the coastal
                           rivers of Israel." Aquat. Bot., 2: 203-213.

                                                              MIOWIST WATIot Risouitcf MANAGEWNT
                                                                   Charlotte, Michigan

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                      Beule, J.D. 1979. "Control and management of cattails
                           in southeastern Wisconsin lakes." Wisconsin
                           Department of Natural Resources Tech. Bull. 112, 39pp.

                      Boyd, C.E. and L.W. Hessi 1970. "Factors influencing
                           shoot  production and mineral nutrient levels in
                           Typha  latifolia." Ecology, 51: 298-300.

                      Bray, J.R.   1962. "Estimates of energy budgets for a
                           Typha  (cattail) marsh." Science, 136: 1119-1120.

                      Fiala, K.   1971. "Seasonal charges in the growth of
                           clones of Typha latifolia L. in natural conditions."
                           Folia Geobot. Phytotax, 6: 255-270.

                      Grace, J.B. 1980. "Phenotypic and genotypic components
                           of growth and reproduction in Typha latifolia:
                           Experimental studies in three contrasting marshes."
                           Ph.D. Dissertation, Michigan State University,
                           Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, 52 pp.

                      Grace, J.B. and R.G. Wetzel. 1981. "Habitat partitioning
                           and competitive displacement in cattails (Typha):
                           Experimental field studies." Am. Nat. 118: 463-474.

                      Grace, J.B. and R.G-. Wetzel. 1981. "Phenotypic and
                           genotypic'components of growth in Typha latifolia:
                           Experimentalstuides in marshes of differing
                           successional maturity." Ecology, 62: 789-801.

                      Laing, H.E. 1940. "Respiration of the rhizomes of
                           Nuphar advenum and other water plants." Amer. J. Bot.,
                           27: 574-581.

                      Laing, H.E. 1940. "The composition of the internal atmos-
                           phere of Nuphar advenum. and other water,plants."
                          'Amer. J. Bot., 27: 861-868.

                      Laing, H.E. 1941. "Effect of concentration of oxygen
                           and pressure of water upon growth of rhizomes of
                           semi-submerged water plants." Bot. Gaz., 102:
                           712-724.

                      Linde, A. F., T. Janisch and D. Smith. 1976. "Cattail--
                           the significance of its growth, phenology, and
                           carbohydrate storage to its control and management."
                           Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Tech.
                           Bull. 94, 27 pp.

                      McNaughton, S.J. 1966. "Ecotype function in the Typha
                           community-type." Ecol. Mongr., 36: 298-325.

                                                              MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMfNT
                                                                   Chaflotte, Michigan

                                                                            -64-

                      McNaughton, S.J.   1974. "Developmental control of net
                           productivity  in Typha latifolia ecotypes." Ecology,
                           55: 864-869.

                      McNaughton, S.J., T.C. Folsom, T. Lee, F. Park, C. Price,
                           D. Roeder, J.,Schmitz and C. Stockwell. 1974.
                           "Heavy metal tolerance in Typha latifolia without
                           the evolution of tolerant races." Ecology, 55:
                           1163-1165.

                      McMillan, C. 1959. "Salt tolerance within a Typha
                           population." Amer. J. Bot., 46: 521-526.

                      Segadas-Vianna, F. 1951. "A phytosociological and
                           ecological study of cattail stands in Oakland
                           County, Michigan." J. Ecol., 39: 316-329.

                 V. Wetland Response to Fluctuating Water Levels

                      Geis, J.W. 1979. "Shoreline processes affecting the
                           distribution of wetland habitat." Proc. N. Amer.
                           Wildlife,Conf., 44: 529-542.

                      Haag, R.W. 1983. "Emergence of seedlings of aquatic
                           macrophytes from lake sediments." Can. J. Bot.,
                           61: 148-156.

                      Harris, S.W. and W.H. Marshall. 1963. "Ecology of
                           water level manipulations,on a northern marsh."
                           Ecology, 44: 331-343.

                      Hestand, R.S., B.E. May, D.P. Schultz and C.R. Walker.
                           1973. "Ecological implications of water levels on
                           plant growth in a shallow water reservoir."
                           Hyacinth Contr. J., 11: 54-58.

                      Kadlec, J.A. 1962. "Effects of a drawdown on a water-
                           fowl impoundment," Ecology, 43: 267-281.

                      Keddy, P.A. 1982. "Quantifying within-lake gradients
                           of wave energy: Interrelationships of wave energy,
                           substrate particle size and shoreline plants in
                           Axe Lake, Ontario." Aquat. Bot., 14: 41-55.

                      Keddy, P.A. and A.A. Reznicek. 1982. "The role of
                           seed banks in the persistence of Ontario's coastal
                           plain flora." Amer. J. Bot., 69: 13-22.

                      Leck, M.A. and K.J. Graveline. 1979. "The seed bank
                           of a freshwater tidal marsh." Amer. J. Bot.,
                           66: 1006-1015.

                                                              MIDWEST WATER REsouitce MANAGEMENT
                                                                   Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                         _65-

                     McDonald, M.E. 1955. "Cause and effects of a die-off
                          of emergent vegetation." J. Wildl. Mgmt.,
                          19:  24-35.

                     Millar, J.B. 1973. "Vegetation changes in shallow
                          marsh wetlands under improving moisture regime."
                          Can. J. Bot., 51: 1443-1457.

                     Van der Valk, A.G. 1981. "Succession in wetlands:
                          A Gleasonian approach." Ecology, 62: 688-696.

                     Van der Valk, A.G. and C.B. Davis., 1975. "The seed
                          banks of prairie glacial marshes." Can. J. Bot.,
                          54: 1832-1838.

                     Van der Valk, A.G. and C.B. Davis. 1976. "Changes in
                          the composition, structure and production of plant
                          communities along a perturbed wetland coenocline."
                          Vegetatio, 32: 87-96.

                     Van der Valk, A.G. and C.B. Davis. 1978. "The role of
                          seed banks in the vegetation dynamics of prairie
                          glacial marshes." Ecology, 59: 322-335.

                     Van der Valk, A.G. and C.B. Davis. 1980. "The.impact
                          of a natural drawdown on the growth of four emer-
                          gent species in a prairie glacial marsh." Aquat.
                          Bot., 9: 301-322.

                     Van der Valk, A.G., S.D. Swanson, and R.F. Nuss. 1983.
                          "The response of plant species to burial in three
                          types of alaskan wetlands." Can. J. Bot., 61:
                          1150-1164.

               VI. Ecological Consequences of Muskrat and Carp Damage to
                          Wetlands

                     Anderson, J.M. 1950. "Some aquatic vegetation changes
                          following fish removal." J. Wildl. Mgmt.,
                          14: 206-209.

                     Black, J.D. 1944. "'Carp Problem' in 1901." Wis.
                          Conserv. Bull., 9: 6.

                     Dannell, K. 1977. "Short-term plant successions
                          following the colonization of a Northern Swedish
                          lake by the muskrat Ondatra zibethica." J. Appl.
                          Ecol., 14: 933-947.

                     Errington, P.L., S.J. Sizlen and R.C. Clark. 1963. "The
                          decline of a muskrat population." J. Wildl. Mgmt.,
                          27: 1-8.

                                                           MIOWEST WATER ResouRct MANACEMENT
                                                                Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                         -66-

                     Giltz, M.L. and W.C. Myser. 1954. "A preliminary
                          report on an experiment to prevent cattail die-off."
                          Ecology, 35: 418.

                     King, D.R. and G.S. Hunt. 1967. "Effect of carp on
                          vegetation in a Lake Erie marsh." J. Wildl. Mgmt.,
                          31: 181-188.

                     Lynch, J.J., T. O'Neil, and D.W. Lay. 1947. "Management
                          significance of damage by geese and muskrats to
                          Gulf Coast marshes." J. Wildl. Mgmt., 11: 50-76.

                     Moyle, J.B. and W.T. Helm. 1964. "Carp, a sometimes
                          villain." In Waterfowl Tomorrow. J.P. Linduska (ed.),
                          U.S. Bureau Sports Fish and Wildlife, pp. 635-642.

                     Praolx, G. and F.F. Gilbert. "The ecology of the
                          Muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus, at Luther Marsh,
                          Ontario." Can. Field Nat., 97: 377-390.

                     Robel,R.J. 1961. "The effects of carp populations on
                          the production of waterfowl food plants on a western
                          waterfowl marsh." Trans. N. Am. Wildl. Conf.,
                          26: 147-159.

                     Threinen, C.W. and W.T. Helm. 1954. "Experiments and
                          observations designed to show carp destruction of
                          aquatic vegetation." J. Wildl. Mgmt., 18: 247-251.

                     Tyron, C.A., Jr. 1954. "The effect of carp exclosures
                          on growth of submersed aquatic vegetation in
                          Pymatuning Lake, Pennsylvania." J. Wildl. Mgmt.,
                          18: 251-254.

                     Related References

                     Chan E., T.A. Bursztynsky, N. Hantzsche, and Y.J.  Litwin.
                          1982. "The use of wetlands for water pollution
                          control." EPA Project Summary. EPA-600/52-82-086,
                          November, 1982.

                     Cowardin, F. and V. Myers. 1974. "Remote sensing for
                          identification and classification of wetland vege-
                          tation." J. Wildl. Mgmt., 38: 308-314.

                     Davis, G.J. and M.M. Brinson. 1980. "Responses of
                          submersed vascular plant communities to environ-
                          mental change." U.S. Dept. Interior, Fish and
                          Wildlife Service, FWS/OBS-79/33.

                                                           MIDWEST WATEit RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                               Chaflotte, Michigan

                                                                            -67-

                       Enslin, Bill and Dwayne McIntosh. 1982. "Changes in
                            aquatic vegetation in Quanicassee, Nayanquing
                            Point and Wildfowl Bay." Michigan State University,
                            Center for Remote Sensing. Prepared for the East
                            Central Michigan Planning and Development Region,
                            October, 1982.

                       Frohne, W.C. 1938. "Contribution to knowledge of the
                            limnological role of the higher aquatic plants."
                            Trans. Amer. Micros. Soc., 57: 256-268.

                       Hendrix, G.A. and W.L. Yocum. 1984. "Saginaw Bay
                            Bibliography." East Central Regional Planning
                            Commission. Saginaw, Michigan, 22 pp.

                       Kaul, R.B. 1976. "Anatomical observations of floating
                            leaves." Aquat. Bot., 2: 215-234.

                       Kemp, W.M., W.R. Boynton, J.C. Stevenson, J.C. Means,
                            R.R. Twilley and T.W. Jones. 1984. "Submerged
                            aquatic vegetation in Upper Chesapeake Bay:
                            Studies related to possible causes of the recent
                            decline in abundance." U.S. EPA Project Summary,
                            Chesapeake Bay Program. EPA-600/S3-84-015, Febru-
                            ary, 1984.

                       Livingston, B.A. and C.M. Schumacher. 1980. "The
                            abundance, distribution and diversity of aquatic
                            macroinvertebrates in Sebewaing and Wildfowl Bays
                            as related to waterfowl use and water quality."
                            Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
                            Prepared for Michigan Department of Natural Resources,
                            Division of Land Resources, Michigan Coastal Program.

                       McGaha, Y.J. 1952. "The limnological relations of
                            insects to certain aquatic flowering plants."
                            Trans. Amer. Micros. Soc., 71: 355-381.

                       ------ 1954. "Contribution to the biology of some
                            Lepidoptera which feed on certain aquatic flowering
                            plants." Trans. Amer. Micros. Soc., 73: 167-177.

                       Morton, J.W. 1977. "Ecological effects of dredging and
                            dredge spoil disposal: A literature review."
                            U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tech. Paper No. 94,
                            Washington, D.C. 33 pp.

                       Olson, D.P. 1964. "The use of aerial photographs in
                            studies of marsh vegetation." Maine Agric. Exp.
                            Stn. Bull. 13, Tech Ser., 62 pp.

                                                              M40WEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                   Charlotte, Michigan

                                                    APPENDIX I

                                         Vegetation Analysis for Five
                                            Study Zones in the Maisou
                                           Island Complex, 1941-1982

                                                          A-1
                                                                               MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                     Charlotte, Michigan

                0

                           Table Al.   Marsh vegetation of the Heisterman Island/Bay Port Cut region.
                                       A. Marsh coverage of the three wetland categories (expressed
                                       in acres) during the period of 1941-1982. B. Change in
                                       marsh coverage (expressed in acres) from previous year. Pos-
                                       itive number indicates marsh expansion; negative number indi-
                                       cates marsh loss.

               A.                                                            YEAR                           NET
               VEGETATION CATEGORY               1941    1949    1955     1964  1968 1972 1978 1982 CHANGE

               Cattail Marsh                       395    327    260     450      333    230   183   150

               Grasses and Sedges                  115      80     38    100       88     47    49     38

           >   Bulrushes and Mixed Emergents        78      94     79      90      64     99    92     60

               Total                               588    501    377     640      485    376   324   248

               B.

               Cattail Marsh                              -68    -67     +190    -117   -103   -47   -33     -245

               Grasses and Sedges                         -35    -42     +62       -12   -41    *2   -11       -77

               Bulrushes and Mixed Emergents              +16    -15     +11       -26   +35    -7   -32       -18

               Total                                      -87    -124     +263   -155   -109   -52   -76     -340

                                                                                               MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANA(,LNiLN I
                                                                                                    Charlotte, Michigan

                                 Table A2.   Marsh vegetation of the Box Car/Black Rush region.
                                             A. Marsh coverage of the three wetland categories
                                             (expressed in acres) during the period of 1941-1982.
                                             B. Change in marsh coverage (expressed in acres) from
                                             previous year. Positive number indicates marsh expan-
                                             sion; negative number indicates marsh loss.

               A.
                                                                             YEAR                            NET
               VEGETATION CATEGORY                1941    1949    1955   1964- 1968 1972 1978- 1982        CHANGE
               Cattail Marsh                        78      67      68      83      73    65    85     78

               Grasses and Sedges                  167    211     119     213     110   110     85     83

               Bulrushes and Mixed Emergents       457    372     448     264     106   103    101     100
            U-)
               Total                               702    650     635     560     289   278    271     261

               B.

               Cattail Marsh                              -11       +1    +15     -10     -8   +20     -7       0

               Grasses and Sedges                         +44     -92     +94    -103          -25     -2    -84

               Bulrushes and Mixed Emergents              -85     +76     -184   -158     -3    -2     -1   -357

               Total                                      -52     -15     -75    -271   -11     -7     -10  -441

                                                                                             MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGFMFN1
                                                                                                   Charlotte, michigari

                               Table A3.    Marsh vegetation of the West Marsh region. A. Marsh
                                            coverage of the.three wetland categories (expressed in
                                            acres) during the period of 1941-1982. B. Change in
                                            marsh coverage (expressed in acres) from previous
                                            year. Positive number indicates marsh expansion;
                                            negative number indicates marsh loss.

               A.
                                                                             YEAR                             NIET
               VEGETATION CATEGORY                1941    1949    1955    1964  1968 1972 1978 1982 CHANGE

               Cattail Marsh                       365    423     481     441    415    311    210    118

               Grasses and Sedges                   94      82      51     76      57     21     26    60

               Bulrushes and Mixed Emergents       193      60      60     66       29  .19       0      5

               Total                               652    565     592     583    501    351    236    183

               B.

               Cattail Marsh                              +58     +58     -40    -26    -104   -101   -92   -247

               Grasses and Sedges                         -12     -31     +25    -19    -36      +5   +34    -34

               Bulrushes and Mixed Emergents              -133       0     +6    -37    -10    -19     +5   -188

               Totals                                     -87.    +27      -9    -82    -150   -115   -53   -4.69

                                                                                               MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                    Charlotte, Michigan

                      Table A4.    Marsh vegetation of the East Marsh/Warner Marsh/Blind Pass Region.
                                   A. Marsh coverage of the three wetland categories (expressed in
                                   acres) during the period of 1941-1982. B. Change in marsh coverage
                                    (e.xpressed in acres) from previous year. Positive number indicates
                                   marsh expansion; negative number indicates marsh loss.

                A.
                                                                                  YEAR                              NET
                VEGETATION CATEGORY                   1941   1949    1955    1964     1968 1972 1978 1982 CHANGE

                Cattail Marsh                          732    971     682    1046      918     520   375     388

                Grasses and Sedges                     261    144        53     181    196      84      73     83

                Bulrushes and Mixed Emergents,         404    193     477       128    150        7      0      0

             Ln Total                                 1397   1308    1212    1355      1264    611   448     471

                B.

                Cattail Marsh                                +239    -289    +364     -128 -398 @-145        +13 -344

                Grasses and Sedges                           -117     -91    +128,     +15    -112   -11     +10   -178

                Bulrushes and Mixed Emergents                -211    +284    -349      +22    -143      -7      0   404

                Total                                         -89     -96    +143      -91    -653   -163    +23

                                                                                                     MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                           Charlotte, Michigan

                               Table A5.   marsh vegetation of the DeFoe Reef region. A. Marsh
                                           coverage of the three wetland categories (expressed in
                                           acres) during the period of 1941-1982. B. Change in
                                           marsh coverage (expressed in acres) from previous year.
                                           Positive number indicates marsh expansion; negative
                                           number indicates marsh loss.

               A.
                                                                             YEAR                            NET
               VEGETATION CATEGORY                1941    1949    1955    1964   1968 1972 1978 1982- CHANGE
               Cattail Marsh                       454    445      223     447     236  176      77    83

               Crasses and Sedges                    18       0      0       0      0       0    0      0

               Bulrushes and Mixed Emergents         14      6       0       7      7       0    0      0

               Total                               486    451      223     454     243  176      77    83

               B.

               Cattail Marsh                                -9    -222    +224   -211   -60     -99    +6 -371

               Grasses and Sedges                         -18        0       0      0       0    0      0     -18

               Bulrushes and Mixed Emergents                -8      -6      +7      0     -7     0      0     -14

               Total                                      -35     -228    +231   -211   -67     -99    +6   -403

                                                                                               MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                    Charlotte, Michigar)

                                                        APPENDIX II

                                            Soil Particle Size Analysis

                                                        Procedures

                                                            A-7

                                                                                  MIDWEST WATER RtsouRcf MANA(;EMFNT
                                                                                        Charlotte, Michigan.

                 A. Sieve Analysis

                     1.  Weigh 100 to 200 grams of soil.

                     2.  Crush all aggregates in soil to ensure that fine
                         particle sizes are free to be sieved.

                     3.  Prepare dispersion solution for soil sample by
                         weighing out 35.95 g of sodium metaphosphate and
                         7.94 g of sodium bicarbonate. Add one liter of
                         distilled water.

                     4.  Once soil has been dispersed, oven dry the soil
                         to a constant weight. Record weight of dry soil.

                     5.  Prepare a sieve stack with screen numbers 4, 10,
                         40, 60, 100, and 200. An alternative screen stack
                         for fine-grained soils can be 10, 35, 60, 120, and 230.

                     6.  Pre-weigh oven dry soil (at least 100 grams) and
                         pour into the top of the sieve stack. Place sieve
                         stack in mechanical shaker for 10 to 15 minutes.

                     7.  Compute the percent retained for each sieve by
                         dividing weight retained on sieve by the original
                         oven-dried weight.

                     8.  Compute the percent passing by starting with
                         100 percent and subtracting the percent retained
                         on each sieve as a.cumullative procedure
                         (ie., % passing = 100 - Z% retained).

                     9.  If more than 12 percent of soil sample passes
                         the number 200 sieve, hydrometer analysis can
                         be performed to determine the percent of clay
                         size particles.

                     10. Using semilogarithmic paper (4 cycle), plot grain
                         size versus percent passing. This graph will help
                         in distinguishing between gravels, sands, silts
                         and clays.

                B. Classification of Soil: Unified Soil Classification System

                     1.  A soil is coarse-grained if more than 50% is retained
                         on the number 200 sieve.

                         A soil is fine-grained if more than 50% passes
                         the number 200 sieve.

                     2. If soil is coarse-grained, then it is either a:
                         Gravel if more than ;@ of the coarse fraction is
                         retained on the number 4 sieve.
                                            A-8
                                                           M10WFST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                         I     Charlotte, Michigan

                                            OR

                         Sand if more than @ of the coarse fraction is
                         between the number 4 and 2 sieves.

                     3.  Fine-grained soils are silts and clays. They are
                         identified by using the Atterberg limits through
                         calculation of the liquid and plastic limits of
                         the soil.

                     4.  Overall, gravel-sized particles are represented by
                         the number 4 and larger sieves. Sand-sized particles
                         lie between the number 4 and 200 sieves. Silt and
                         clay lie below the number 200 sieve.

                                           A-9

                                                          MIOWEST WATER RESOURCE MANACEMENT
                                                               charlotte, Michigan

                                        APPENDIX III

                                   Memorandum of Agreement
                                           between

                Wildlife Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resource
                Saginaw Valley Chapter, Michigan Duck Hunters Association
                              Midwest Water Resource Management

                   Cattail Marsh Loss Evaluati.on   Maisou Island Complex

                                             A-10

                                                           MIDWEST WATER R(SOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                Charlotte, Michigan

                     This agreement confirms the intent of the Department of Natural Re-
                     sources, Wildlife Division (MDNR) and Saginaw Valley Chapter, Michigan
                     Duck Hunters Association (MDHA) to cooperatively examine the probable
                     causes and potential solutions to cattail marsh losses in the Maisou
                     Island group, Saginaw Bay as described in detail in the attached Exhibit
                     A. This agreement extends from November 1, 1984 to September 30, 1985.
                     This project will be conducted in a manner consistent with the general
                     contract of Exhibit B (attached). The project will be supported up to 50
                     percent by federal funds through the Coastal Management Program for a sum
                     not to exceed $15,000. Matching funds will be provided by the local
                     interest group for at least 50 percent of total project expenses, in the
                     form of ca,sh and/or in-kind.services. Midwest Water Resource Management
                     (MWRM), a professional consulting firm, has been hired by the Saginaw
                     Valley Chapter MDHA as the Subgrantee for this study.

                     The MDNR will manage the project.  This will include providing instructions
                     to and coordinating work of the MDHA and MWRM for the MDNR.    The MDNR
                     will review and approve output of the MWRM grantee. The MDNR will
                     authorize payment of funds to the MDHA, for 50 percent of documented
                     costs as accepted phases of the project are completed and upon filing of
                     appropriate receipts for food and lodging and a written description of
                     equipment rental rates for in-kind match. If requested in writing, the
                     MONR will approve advance payments to the MDHA, not to exceed 25 percent
                     of the matching federal grant at any time as long as satisfactory progress
                     on this project is being achieved. The project must be in progress bef  ore
                     advances can be granted to MDHA. Any interest earned on these advances
                     must be returned to MDNR.

                     The MDHA will be responsible for the output of MWRM, Midwest Water Re-
                     sources Management, the subgrantee conducting the investigation of the
                     probable causes and potential solutions to the marsh loss in the Maisou
                     Island area of Saginaw Bay. This will include literature review, photo-
                     graphic review and site visits necessary to complete Phase 1. An interim
                     report, summarizing results and findings of tasks 1-5, Phase 1, will he
                     filed with MDNR on or about May 15, 1985.

                     Phase 2 studies will be conducted as soon after May 15, 1985 as MWRM and
                     MDNR staff agree on the program to be pursued. Monthl.y progress reports
                                                     A-11

                                                          -2-

    			will be filed with MDNR on Phase2 activities.  The MDHA, MWRM, and MDNR
    			staff will consult periodically throughout the project as deemed appropriate.

    			Phase 2 will be completed no later than September 30, 1995.  MWRM will
    			conduct one formal briefing for MDHA and MDNR prior to submission of a final
    			report.  Ten (10) copies of a final report will be submitted to MDNR no
    			later than October 31, 1989.  Ten percent of this grant will be withheld
    			until receipt and acceptance of the final report.  All requests for fi-
    			nancial reimbursement must be submitted by October 31, 1985.

    			FOR WILDLIFE DIVISION, MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

    			_______________________________________		_____________________________________

    				January 1, 1985						Edward J. Mikula

    			FOR SAGINAW VALLEY CHAPTER, MICHIGAN DUCK HUNTERS ASSOCIATION

    			______________________________________		_____________________________________

    				January 1, 1985							Dan Money

    			FOR MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

    			______________________________________		_______________________________________

    				January 1, 1985						Frederick C. Payne
    										A-12

                                                      APPENDIX IV

                                     Sediment Heavy Metals Analysis for
                                              Mid-Saginaw Bay Stations

                                                   MDNR, BWM, 1974

                                                        A-13
                                                                              MIDWEST WATER RESOURCE MANACEMENT
                                                                                     Charlotte, Michigan

                  Table A6.    Results of heavy metals analysis on sediment
                               samples collected from offshore stations in
                               Saginaw Bay. Collection and analysis by
                               MDRN, Bureau of Water Management, 1974
                               (unpublished data).

              Analysis               Mean Value (mg/kg)             Maximum Value (mg/kg)

                 Cd                             0.4                          0.4

                 CU                             1.66                         2.8

                 Fe                        4@,600.                       7,800.

                 Pb                             1                            1

                 Mn                             63.3                        100

                 Ni                             5.6                          8

                 Zn                             8.3                          12

                                             A-14
                                                               MIOWEST WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
                                                                    Charlotte, Michigan

                                                                                                                                         ,11011A ASTAL $ERVICE@ CIII LMIARI
                                                                                                                                          3 6668 14111921 6