Working Together to Save Wetlands

Water levels in the Niagara River and Buckhorn Island Marsh were lowered over time by diversion for power and industrial use, reducing the quality of marsh habitat. State and federal agencies, supported by town government and many volunteers, began restoring water levels, native plants, and open water in the marsh. In March 1996, construction began on the east weir, a small dam built to catch and retain standing water, and an inlet channel was dug to create more open water and bring water into the marsh. Nesting platforms were built for ospreys that travel the Niagara River corridor during migration. In June 1997, construction of the west weir began, with all work scheduled to minimize disturbance to breeding marsh birds. Because the former channel of Burnt Ship Creek had filled with cattails and sediment, water could no longer pass from the Niagara River into the marsh, so marsh soils were removed to create open water habitat for wildlife. At Buckhorn Island State Park, this open water channel restored more suitable spawning habitat for northern pike, encouraged a more diverse plant community, and provided more habitat for prey species for pike fingerlings in a marsh that had historically served as excellent spawning and nursery habitat; muskellunge, northern pike, and largemouth bass are part of the Niagara River's world class fishery.

Grand Island, New York · United States