The Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association recently partnered with the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation to remedy erosion problems near the mouth of the Waishkey River in Chippewa County.

The restoration project is aimed to repair severe erosion along the steep banks of the Waishkey River. The erosion was a result of snowmobilers operating their machines on the river banks to cross the Waishkey on ice, rather than following the snowmobile trail which utilizes a bridge on 6 Mile Road to cross the river.

"The snowmobile association was happy to cooperate with the DNR to work on this project and resolve the problem," said DNR Sault Management Unit fire officer Rob Shields. "Club members sought competitive bids for the project and coordinated the preconstruction and construction phases with contractor Vern Huyck Trucking."

To stabilize the river banks, sod was laid on the banks and rip-rap placed at the end of the slope. Four-by-six-inch posts were also placed at the top of the slope to form a barricade. MDOT engineers provided the plans and drawings for the project, and helped DNR officials with inspection upon completion of the project.

Funding for the project came from a Snowmobile Trail Improvement grant awarded to the snowmobile association. Total costs for the project came to $16,111.

Snowmobilers riding Trail #8 are reminded by DNR officials to use the 6 Mile Road Bridge to cross the Waishkey River in the future. Snowmobilers using the river banks to cross the river will be subject to enforcement action.

For more information about snowmobiling in Michigan, including trail maps, go online to www.michigan.gov/dnr and click on Recreation, Camping and Boating.