HISTORY OF THE HEC

Channelization
To increase shipping traffic in the Corridor in the early 1900’s, the U.S. government instituted large-scale engineering works to increase the size and depth of the shipping channels. In the St. Clair River, the outlet from Lake Huron was armored on both sides to prevent erosion and a bridge was constructed to facilitate trade between Canada and the U.S. In Lake St. Clair, the south channel through the delta was deepened and widened to accommodate larger vessels. Construction of the Livingstone channel in the Detroit River resulted in removal of a large portion of historic whitefish spawning areas in the river mouth. The loss of these spawning grounds was a major contributing factor in the collapse of the whitefish fishery in the Detroit River in the early 1900’s. See “Lake Whitefish and Lake Herring Fisheries in the Detroit River – A History” (Todd, 2006) for an in depth historical look at this early fishery.

Channelization of the river also created changes in river hydrology including flow into western Lake Erie. Changing flow patterns and velocity may have reduced access to habitat for some aquatic species. For example, larval fish may be carried directly into Lake Erie rather than to wetlands or other nursery habitat where they can grow before moving into the lake.

GIS Maps
Maps have been developed by USGS that include a number of factors. Coming soon.

Other Changes in the HEC
A number of other factors have had negative impacts on the HEC ecosystem. For example, discharges of sewage and industrial waste into HEC waters have affected water quality with consequences to both wildlife and human health. Invasive aquatic species that entered the Lakes through shipping channels have severely altered populations of native fish and mussels. Shoreline development and changing land use have resulted in the loss or degradation of coastal habitats such as wetlands and beaches.