Lake Superior Dune Restoration Project
Marquette, Michigan
The Lake Superior Dune Restoration project will use American beach grass (Ammophila
breviligulata) to restore sensitive Great Lakes dune habitat along 1,000 feet of Lake Superior
shoreline in the City of Marquette. The project area is located along Lakeshore Boulevard
(T48N, R25W, Sections 11 and 14) and includes two sites (north and south) totaling 1,000 linear
feet of shoreline (Figures 1 and 2).
Figure 1 North Site Location
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Figure 2 South Site Location
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Work Description:
Prioritized erosion sites (wind eroded areas) at the top of the dunes near Lakeshore Boulevard
will be stabilized by transplanting native dune grass. Planting will be completed using the USDA
NRCS Planting Guide for beach grass (attached). Two to three plants (culms) will be planted
per hole. A minimum of 10” by 10” spacing will be used due to the potential for wind and wave
erosion. Plants will be staggered in alternate rows to provide maximum erosion control. Beach
grass culms will be planted at least 8” deep to prevent plants from drying out as well as being
blown out by the wind. Rustic split-rail fencing will be installed to designate access to the beach.
Photo 1 - South restoration site. Red lines indicate planting areas and yellow arrows show
proposed public access locations.
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Photo 2 - North restoration site. Red lines indicate planting areas and yellow arrows show
proposed public access locations.
Photo 3 - Example of
rustic split rail fencing
used to designate
public access points
along the beach.
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Attachment 1
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Beach grass planting diagram.
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