The collection of fish habitat information during the field surveys encompassed the following parameters:
- flow condition, clarity and general gradient;
- channel morphology (e.g., riffles, pools);
- cover opportunities (e.g., woody debris, undercut banks, boulders, aquatic vegetation);
- substrate type;
- valley condition (e.g. bank height, character and stability/evidence of erosion;
- riparian vegetation;
- physical barriers to fish movement;
- potential specialized and important habitat areas including potential spawning habitat;
- good evidence of groundwater discharge; and
- disturbances, opportunities.
habitat limitations and potential habitat enhancement
3.1 Results of Field Investigations
The following provides a description of existing fish and fish habitat conditions as identified by the 2010 field survey at both Broadway Drain and Healy Drain, summarized in Table 2.
Several photos of the site were taken and are included in Appendix A. Photos #4 - #8 depict Broadway Drain; Photo #4 shows the culverts at Sandwich Street where the culvert headwall slopes and the bottom is lined with riprap. Further downstream, the stream is lined with detritus. Photo #5 shows severe bank erosion along the creek from heavy pedestrian use. Photo #6 is an area where the bottom substrate is sand. Photo #7 is the outlet of Broadway Drain to the Detroit River where it is a sandy gravel beach area.
3.1.1 Broadway Drain
Broadway Drain is located directly to the south of the proposed plaza. This watercourse is listed as a type F municipal drain, indicating that it is intermittent, and the temperature regime and potential fish species are unknown. The 2010 field investigations found that there were flows within this channel. Beyond the tire barrier flows seem to increase suggesting a potential groundwater contribution. It was 6