Spanning the Headwaters of the Jordan River and Deer Creek

May 9, 2024

Project Highlights

Project Type

Three Stream-crossing Replacements

River Miles Connected

Jordan River (40.85 Miles), Deer Creek (9.6 Miles)

Location of Project

Antrim and Charlevoix Counties

Wildlife to be Benefited

Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Steelhead, Salmon, Mottled Sculpin, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and 14 species of mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies.

Deer Creek and Fuller Road (#WI-28)

Jordan River and Jordan River Road (East) (#WA-3)

Jordan River and Jordan River Road (West) (#WA-5)

Project Overview

CRA has reached a major milestone in the Jordan River Watershed, with construction now substantially complete at three critical restoration sites. The final two undersized structures on the river’s mainstem—located at Jordan River Road East and West—have been replaced with channel-spanning timber bridges. In addition, a third crossing at Deer Creek, where the stream flows under Fuller Road, has undergone a dramatic transformation.

These new bridges remove fish passage barriers, reduce erosion, and prevent excess sedimentation, directly improving the river’s health and habitat. Only minor finishing touches remain before the project is fully wrapped up, marking a significant step toward reconnecting and restoring the entire Jordan River system.

Before: Staff from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation tour site #WA-3 (Jordan River and Jordan River Road-East) in the summer of 2023.

Before: CRA Program Director Kimberly Balke measures the river’s velocity at site #WA-5 (Jordan River and Jordan River Road-West). The undersized culverts created a velocity barrier to fish and other aquatic species.

Before: An undersized culvert forms a plunge pool at site #WI-28 (Deer Creek and Fuller Road).

A Quality Backdrop

The Jordan River, Lake Charlevoix’s largest tributary, provides quite the ecological backdrop to the region. Considered a pristine cold-water stream, the Jordan is designated as a Natural River and Blue Ribbon trout stream by the State of Michigan. It gracefully winds through the Jordan River Valley, an expansive 18,000-acre block of state-owned forest. The watershed is home to many species, including brook trout, brown trout, steelhead, salmon, mottled sculpin, and 14 species of mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies.

An aerial photo captures the beautiful Jordan River Valley.

The Jordan River was the first to be designated ‘Natural River’ under the State of Michigan’s Natural Rivers Act in 1972.

Before: Site #WA-3 (Jordan River and Jordan River Road-East) is spotted splintering the river from above.

Fall 2025 Update

This fall, the three major stream-crossing upgrades are nearing completion, marking a significant milestone for the Jordan River watershed. The final two undersized structures on the river’s mainstem — at Jordan River Road East and West — have been replaced with elegant, channel-spanning timber bridges. A third crossing at Deer Creek, one of the Jordan’s key tributaries where the stream flows under Fuller Road, has undergone the same transformation. This project represents a milestone for CRA, as it undertakes its first simultaneous design and construction of three major crossings. This initiative signals a heightened level of efficiency and impact.

Timber Bridge at Site #WA-3 — Jordan River at Jordan River Road-East (Summer 2025)

Timber Bridge at Site #WA-5 — Jordan River and Jordan River Road-West (Summer 2025)

Timber Bridge at Site #WI-28 — Deer Creek at Fuller Road (Summer 2025)

Projects like this are not possible without the help of our funders and partners.

We’d like to send a special thank you to: