Jarvis (Forks Project)
In the 1930’s a photographer from Grand Rapids would frequently camp along the Pere Marquette River to fish his favorite stretch – just below the Forks. Following the Second World War he purchased one of the few private sites between the Forks and M-37 and built his dream cabin across from the Shrine of the Pines. He was active on the Watershed Council’s Board of Directors and kept vigil over his favorite waters. In their Last Wills, Jack and Lillian Jarvis left a $20,000 bequest to PMWC for habitat improvement in this section of the river.
In 2005 and 2006 the PMWC undertook the first phase of adding more fish cover. Two large tree deflectors were floated into place, a platform structure constructed on the shoreline, two artificial log jams created and two island structures were situated in a faster flowing reach of the river. Two differing designs were tested on the island platforms, one with open flow through the base, with the second standing on a firm solid base.
Phase Two of the Jarvis project was completed in 2008 and consisted of additionally created or improved structures. They were designed to provide enhanced fish habitat cover, to reduce bank erosion and to improve gradient flow by narrowing stream width in some locations. The work consisted of placing and securing clusters of logs along stream edges, construction of island structures with “jetted” posts and an overhead “roof” of rocks and vegetation just above the water line and covered lunker structures along streambank to provide deep water cover for resident trout.
The project was coordinated by Kim Balke of Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) and was completed at a cost of $12,300.
PMWC will continue to monitor the benefits of the installed habitat structures with an eye towards further improvements. The remaining funds are earmarked for future projects on the Pere Marquette River between The Forks and M-37.