"This is probably one of the largest individual habitat projects that the conservation authority has ever undertaken related to a fish habitat," said Kevin Money, director of conservation with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA).

Once permits are approved, large rock formations will be placed underwater to create a reef on the north coast of Peche Island, which sits between Windsor and Detroit where the river meets Lake St. Clair.
Creating a nursery for fish

Money said there are more than 60 fish species that will benefit from this new formation, which should calm the water and allow vegetation to grow to promote biodiversity in the Detroit River.

"We're creating a huge amount of habitat in order to improve the fish community," said Money, adding that the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup partnership marked Peche Island as an ideal location for this project.