At a Glance
Protecting and enhancing a city’s natural riparian systems improves ecology and waterfront experience while reducing costs by using sustainable maintenance practices to support stable riverbanks.
Project Description
Located in the northwestern corner of Ohio, the city of Defiance contains three rivers: the Auglaize, Tiffin, and Maumee. Downtown Defiance, which is situated at the confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee Rivers, has been in the midst of a major revitalization. Improvements to streetscaping, parking, and amenities have helped bring new businesses and economic life to the city. But with nearly 17 miles of waterfront and three riverside parks, the city also recognized the value of investing in healthy riparian areas.
Biohabitats helped the City initiate a riparian management plan for five areas along the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers. The Biohabitats team began by reviewing and synthesizing existing information in order to prepare baseline mapping for each of the five areas of the project. Then, the team assessed stream bank, terrestrial, and near shore conditions. Based on the findings, Biohabitats prepared a technical memorandum which identified priority areas and recommended strategies to enhance biodiversity and overall ecological function, protect and conserve riparian habitat and streambanks, manage invasive species, and manage viewsheds.