Terrells & Samers Update – February 2021

Construction began on Phase 1 of the Terrell’s Island and Samers Bay Restoration Project in January/February of 2021. The property owner, Butte des Morts Conservation Club, hired two contractors to complete the work: Highway Landscapers, Inc. and Noffke One Custom Built. The goals for construction this winter were to complete as much of the following as ice conditions would allow:

• Remove ~2,200 ft. section of existing rock along the east side of the Terrells Island breakwall
• Remove rock from five artificial rock islands located within Terrells Island (Islands 2 thru 6).
• Re-use rock removed from Terrells Island to build ~3,000 ft. of a new breakwall along the north west side of Samers Bay

The contractors had a short window of time this winter for construction. Ideally, ice cover needs to be solid and close to two feet thick to support the weight and movement of the trucks and equipment hauling the rock. This year, thick ice formation occurred a little later in the season and is now melting sooner than we had hoped.

Despite the less than ideal conditions, 458 feet of the 2,200 feet was removed from Terrell’s Island and two full sections of the Samers Breakwall were completed.

We want to thank our project partners for their ongoing dedication, hard work, and commitment to this project. Check out more project photos and videos on the project web page.

CLICK HERE to visit the Terrell’s Island and Samers Bay project web page where you will find additional project details including a list of project partners, funding sources, photos, aerial videos, and more!