Posted on March 14, 2025
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A multi-million-dollar restoration project in the Maumee River is in the home stretch. It involves the “Clark” and “Delaware” horseshoe islands near Walbridge Park.
The islands are owned by the city of Toledo.
The project is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to making significant water quality and habitat improvements in our region.
“$13.5 million restoration of 63 acres of restored island habitat of Clark and Delaware horseshoe islands. It’s a combination of habitat restoration and nutrient reduction efforts,” Jenny Carter-Cornell, a senior consultant with the engineering firm working on the project, said. “Construction of the main island footprints is almost finished in just over a year. Some of the remaining work involves dredging and some planting.”
It has been a group effort involving federal, state and local partners. Including the Toledo Lucas County Port Authority.
“We’re heavily involved in economic development and environmentally focused as well. And these projects do just that,” Joe Cappel, the vice president of business development for the Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, said.
The payoff for the project is multi-layered. Improving the section of the river in a number of ways.
“Clark island has some features built in that will filter out nutrients and sediment out of the river as the water moves toward Lake Erie. It will help reduce the nutrients that feed the harmful algal blooms,” Cappel said.
“In varying water conditions, this area will be wonderful for fish, macro-invertebrates and different wildlife and birds and other mammals that use the land area,” Carter-Cornell said.
As work winds down, those involved are looking forward to the lasting impact it will have on the world around us.
“It’s not just a one off project. It’s something that will filter nutrients and provide habitat for years to come,” Cappel said. “I don’t think there is any one single silver bullet that is going to fix the algal blooms on Lake Erie. But, projects like this are going to make a difference and be part of the overall solution.”
The restoration project is going to be finished by early fall and one of the interesting aspects is that you can have a front row seat for the latest developments. You can stop by Walbridge Park and check on the progress.
Click here for more information about the project.
