Huron Pines improves habitat for endangered beetle
OSCODA COUNTY, Mich. — Conservation organization Huron Pines, along with the Oscoda County Road Commission have replaced an undersized culvert where Middle Branch Big Creek meets Pickerel Lake Rd.
The small culvert caused problems with rapid water flow which led to erosion as well as sediment washing into the creek. The new culvert makes it so fish can easily pass through the area.
Before it was installed, Huron Pines worked to relocate Michigan’s most endangered species, the Hungerford’s crawling water beetle. During one of their outings, Senior Project Manager Josh Leisen managed to find one of these bugs and relocated it further downstream.
The federally listed beetle is so rare, it can only be found in a few isolated streams in Northern Michigan and only one in Ontario. The Middle Branch Big Creek is an ideal habitat for the Hungerford’s crawling water beetle.
