After Brecksville Dam was removed, free-flowing habitat linked to Lake Erie more than doubled to 71 km

A restored Lake Erie wetland saw millions of aquatic animals after reconnection to waterways. High-resolution sonar tracked over 3.4 million fish movements into and out of the marsh. Fish utilized the habitat throughout the day and night, showing continuous usage patterns. This research provides clear evidence of how aquatic species use restored coastal habitats. The findings inform management decisions for Great Lakes coastal wetland restoration efforts.