Crystal River Initiative Restores Recreation and River Connectivity
Project Highlights
Project Type
Stream Crossing Replacements, Streambank Stabilization, Habitat Enhancement, Floodplain Restoration
River Miles to be Restored
4.8 Miles of River connected to Lake Michigan
Location of Project
Glen Arbor Township, Michigan
Wildlife to be Benefited
Steelhead, Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, White Sucker, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Wood Turtle, Northern Map Turtle, Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Blanchard’s Cricket Frog, Wavy Rayed Lampmussel, Ellipse, Eastern Pondmussel Fatmucket, Spike, as well as aquatic macroinvertebrates.
Site 4: Tucker Lake Outlet
Site 3
Site 2
Site 1
Project Overview
Nestled within the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore—one of America’s most iconic landscapes—the Crystal River underwent a dramatic transformation through a collection of restoration projects known as the Crystal River Initiative. Led by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) and Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA), in partnership with the Leelanau County Road Commission and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the initiative improved recreational access, restored natural stream function, and reconnected aquatic habitat through the replacement of four critical stream crossings.
For decades, aging and undersized crossings created barriers for both paddlers and aquatic species. Canoeists and kayakers were forced to portage across County Road 675 at multiple locations, while the structures disrupted natural river processes and limited habitat connectivity. Today, paddlers can enjoy a safer, more seamless experience on the river, while fish and other aquatic species benefit from healthier stream conditions and restored connectivity.
An aerial photo showcases the Crystal River’s path and proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Stage One: Completed Fall 2023
The first phase of the initiative addressed the Tucker Lake Outlet crossing along Leelanau County Road 675. The existing structure had become completely plugged with debris, forcing stormwater over the roadway and causing significant erosion.
Project partners replaced the failing crossing with a larger aluminum box culvert that restored flow through the outlet, reduced flood risk, and reopened important aquatic habitat.
Before: The Leelanau County Road Commission uses a tire to attempt to unplug the undersized stream crossing.
During: The Team Elmer’s crew works to install the much larger aluminum box culvert.
Stage Two: Completed Fall 2024
The second phase focused on Site Three, known locally as “The Tubes.”
For decades, paddlers faced the choice of carrying their watercraft across County Road 675 or navigating through one of three undersized culverts. The crossing became a well-known bottleneck along the river and earned its nickname from generations of paddlers willing to brave the narrow passage.
With more than one million visitors exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore each year and over 15,000 paddlers recreating on the Crystal River annually, the need for watercraft users to repeatedly cross a busy county road created an ongoing safety concern.
Swipe through the gallery below to see the site’s before, during, and after transformation!
Final Stage: Completed Summer 2026
The final phase replaced the two remaining undersized crossings along County Road 675 at Sites One and Two.
These aging structures had impaired floodplain connectivity, disrupted the movement of sediment and large woody debris, degraded in-stream habitat, and restricted the natural ecological processes that help maintain a healthy river system. Their replacement restored more natural stream conditions while reducing risks to surrounding transportation infrastructure during high-water events.
Because much of this stretch of the Crystal River flows through lands protected by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the ecological benefits of these improvements extend throughout a largely undeveloped and highly valuable river corridor.
With the completion of the final two crossings, the need for roadway portages has been nearly eliminated, habitat connectivity has been restored, and the Crystal River is better positioned to support both recreation and ecological resilience for generations to come.
Site One (Before): A paddling outfitter passes over site one at the intersection of County Road 675 and River View Road.
Site One (During): Construction progress on the new channel-spanning bridge (August 2025).
Site One (After): A bridge now spans the Crystal River.
Site Two (Before): Multiple signs warn paddlers of the deteriorating culverts.
Site Two (After): A beautiful timber Bridge completes the restoration iniative.
A Deeper Connection
This project represents more than environmental restoration.
Henry “Hank” Bailey, a Grand Traverse Band Elder and former Fish and Wildlife Technician with GTB’s Natural Resources Department, helped illuminate the importance of recognizing the cultural and spiritual significance of stream restoration efforts.
For Hank, the Crystal River restoration is deeply personal:
“This river has always been a source of life. Long before settlers arrived, my ancestors relied on it in harmony for fishing, medicine, and their connection to Mother Earth. As I walk along the river today, I feel their presence. Reconnecting these waters is a very spiritual effort.”
The Crystal River Initiative reflects that vision—restoring not only the physical connections within the watershed, but also honoring the enduring relationship between the river and the people who have depended on it for generations.
Projects like this are not possible without the help of our funders and partners.
We’d like to send a special thank you to:
Funders:
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians-Bureau of Indian Affairs: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (Distinct Tribal Program) | Roads Program, and Bridges Program | USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service – Regional Conservation Partnership Program (Tribal Stream and Michigan Fruitbelt Collaborative) led by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | US Fish and Wildlife Service – Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act | US Department of Commerce – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal under the IIJA | Leelanau County Road Commission | Trout and Salmon Foundation | DTE Energy Foundation | Walters Family Foundation | Andrew R. and Janet F. Miller Foundation | The Brookby Foundation | United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Fish Passage Program Bipartisan Infrastructure Law | Great Lakes Fishery Trust – Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Fish Populations: Habitat Protection and Restoration
Partners Involved:
Conservation Resource Alliance | Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | SWCA Environmental Consultants | Grand Traverse Engineering and Construction | Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore | Leelanau County Road Commission | Gosling Czubak Engineering | Bureau of Indian Affairs | GEI Environmental Consultants | Natural Resources Conservation Service | Team Elmers