MUSKEGON, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Mid-sized Lake Mona in Muskegon County will receive a massive federal grant to help with a huge renovation project that will be reversing a wetland conversion project completed more than 80 years ago.

Muskegon County Water Resources Commissioner was awarded the $471,674 grant by the Great Lakes Restorative Initiative to help turn the nearby North and South celery ponds near Black Creek two wetlands once again. Deputy Water Resources Commissioner, Dallas Goldberg, is credited with creating the proposal of a multi-year agreement with the hopes of restoring the celery ponds according to a Mona Lake Watershed Council press release.

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The estimated three year project would address the growing concerns regarding invasive fish species overpopulation, exorbitant blue green algae, low oxygen levels, and high phosphorus concentrations in the celery ponds.

The initial stages of the project would include removing portions of the muck from the bottom of the two celery ponds, replanting native plant species, and recreating a fish passage between Black Creek and the restored areas.

Prior to the separation of the celery ponds from Mona Lake, the natural wetland was a viable fish spawning habitat for numerous species such as Bass, Perch, Muskie, and other warm water sport fish according to a Mona Lake Watershed Council press release.

The Allen and Helen Director of Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute, Dr. Alan Steinman, will be partnering in the restoration project aiding in the baseline studies for engineering feasibility investigation according to a Mona Lake Watershed Council press release.

This project is one of 11 projects supporting communities in the Great Lakes ecosystems which was granted roughly $14 million in 2022. Some of the other notable projects include restoration projects for native fisheries in Maumee and Niagra River totaling nearly $10.5 million, and several priorities determined by Lake Committees throughout all the Great Lakes totaling $2.1 million. The Great Lakes Commission will be the lead on these projects.