Restored islands renew Maumee River habitat

Local and state officials gathered at Walbridge Park on Monday to herald the completion of improvements to Clark Island and Delaware/Horseshoe Island in the Maumee River.

Called the biggest wildlife restoration project ever undertaken in the Maumee River, the $13.5 million restoration of more than 63 acres at Clark and Delaware/Horseshoe islands protects and enhances existing islands and provides significant nutrient reduction and water quality benefits while restoring important fish and wildlife habitat.

Clark Island and Delaware/Horseshoe Islands experienced significant erosion over the years. The restoration reversed that.

Clark Island lost an estimated 28 acres or 95 percent of its land mass since the 1940s due to erosion, sand and gravel dredging. Delaware/Horseshoe Islands experie