Rochester Hills Receives $100,000 for Creek Restoration

Rochester Hills, MI – The City of Rochester Hills recently received $100,000 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to complete the connection from Avon Creek to the Clinton River.

The creek runs through the Rochester Hills City Hall property, at Avon Road and Rochester Hills Drive. Years of creek erosion made the creek deep and the bank slopes had become vertical. This prevented vegetation from growing, which in turn exacerbated the erosion issues.

This large, complex project was completed in multiple phases thanks to two grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the matching funds coming from City efforts completed as Phase I. Phase II grant was for $110,000 and Phase III was for $64,000.

“This last phase will be the culmination of staff efforts by the City of Rochester Hills, together with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as well as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service all utilizing available grants which achieve environmental gains at a much reduced cost to our residents,” said Water Resource Coordinator Tim Pollizzi.

This $100,000 grant will be used to construct bankfull elevations, lengthen the creek, and provide proper slopes. These actions will create an ideal aquatic habitat for plants and wildlife that live in the creek.

“The Avon Creek is a wonderful place for residents to reconnect with the natural world,” said Mayor Bryan K. Barnett. “We are proud that our City Hall campus is an excellent example of environmental stewardship."

Residents can access the creek by parking at City Hall and entering the Avon Nature Study Area, located at 1000 Rochester Hills Drive.

Image via city of Rochester Hills