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Mid-Shiawassee River Watershed Implementation Project
The primary goal of this 3 year implementation project, funded by the Clean Michigan Initiative and administered by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, is to move toward the restoration of warmwater fisheries, and indigenous aquatic life and wildlife. Objectives of this project are to reduce nonpoint source pollution to the Shiawassee River and its tributaries. Best Management Practices (BMP's) will be implemented to achieve this. The installation of BMP's and the elevated level of awareness created through the project will have a long-term effect in protecting and improving the quality of water in the river and its tributaries.
OUR WATER QUALITY CONCERNS
The
Shiawassee River Watershed covers 742,400 acres of mixed agricultural
and urban land uses, with numerous small streams and county drains
contributing to nonpoint source pollution. Nestled between the cities
of Flint and Lansing, urban sprawl is a growing concern. Earlier
research has shown exceedances in phosphorus and pathogens, and poor
fish and macroinvertebrate communities. In 1995, a biological survey
indicated degraded habitat from sedimentation, large flow fluctuations
and removal of riparian vegetation. Large flow fluctuations are leading
to a wider, more shallow river, unstable stream banks and many other
pollutants. Excessive aquatic rooted vegetation is causing large
dissolved oxygen fluctuations, stressing the more sensitive
macroinvertebrate and fish species.
The
objective of this project will be to focus on the tributaries, streams
and drains of three unique sub-watersheds of the Shiawassee River
Watershed, all indicating nonpoint source pollution and threatening
water quality conditions. It is our hope that these will provide unique
model information that can be used throughout the state for other
watersheds with similar land uses.
State Road Drain Watershed
covers 13,789 acres of
predominately agricultural land use. Tributary erosion is rampant in the
State Road Drain, contributing to the problem of sedimentation and
nutrient overload. An Environmental Impact Statement in 1976 stated
that the drain yields 274 tons of sediment into the River annually.
Middle Branch of the Shiawassee River Watershed covers
22,323 acres of mostly urban land use, encompassing the growing cities
of Owosso and Corunna. The most immediate concern appears to be the
Corlett Creek area, undergoing major development.
Holly Drain Watershed covers 22,610 acres of agricultural and urban land uses, providing a unique model of an agricultural/urban watershed. Exceedances in nutrient enrichment, nuisance plant growth and E. coli bacteria top the list of concerns.
If you are interested in participating in project events, sharing your concerns or getting more information about the project and nonpoint source pollution, please contact :
Andrea Berry
Watershed Project Coordinator
(989)723-8263 Ext. 3.
