Connecting the Big Manistee: Anderson Creek Stream Crossing Removal

CRA and partners have successfully completed the removal of a closed stream crossing at County Line Road, restoring natural flow and wetland connectivity in Anderson Creek—a cold-water tributary of the Big Manistee River.

The project removed a one-lane concrete bridge and nearly 600 feet of gravel road that cut through the creek’s floodplain and adjacent wetlands. Once a maintenance burden and a disruption to natural hydrology, the structure had become increasingly problematic due to upstream beaver activity that was flooding the road and altering flow patterns.

Realizing the limitations in replacing the structure at this location in an environmentally sustainable manner and funding sources available CRA and the Grand Traverse County Road Commission (GTCRC) opted to remove it entirely, rather than replacing the crossing. This decision was made after consulting with local and neighboring public officials affected by the crossing removal. This approach restored the stream corridor, improved wetland function, and eliminated future infrastructure costs—delivering long-term ecological and economic benefits.

Anderson Creek is an important cold-water stream that supports brook, brown, and rainbow trout and contributes to the health of the Manistee River system. Recent surveys indicated warming trends and shifts in aquatic populations, likely tied to habitat fragmentation and beaver-induced flooding. This project helps reverse those trends by reconnecting the stream and restoring more natural hydrology.

The County Line Road removal builds on earlier restoration work at West 6 Road and sets the stage for additional improvements at West 4 Road, planned for 2026. Together, these efforts are reestablishing natural connectivity from the Big Manistee River into the headwaters of Anderson Creek. Looking ahead, CRA has several more projects planned throughout the Big Manistee watershed in the coming years.

Initially envisioned as a stream crossing replacement project under the Tribal Stream and Michigan Fruitbelt Collaborative led by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB). Partner input from GTB and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources evaluating the site limitation ultimately led to the decision to remove the crossing and restore the stream. The best outcome for the stream.

This project was made possible through the support of CRA’s River Care program, the Grand Traverse County Road Commission, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Sustain Our Great Lakes program, with additional funding from the Packaging Corporation of America, DTE Foundation, Serra Family Foundation, Andrew R. and Janet F. Miller Foundation, Walters Family Foundation, and The Brookby Foundation.