The Battle Creek River Watershed Project

The Battle Creek River Watershed Project is an effort by landowners, residents, conservation groups, and local, state, and federal agencies to protect the quality of water for drinking, agriculture, recreation, wildlife, and fisheries. The Battle Creek River has been identified as one of the leading contributors of phosphorus and sediment to the Kalamazoo River . The overall goal of this project is to identify the natural resource and water quality needs, problems, and solutions that will help restore the Battle Creek River . A watershed management plan has been developed that integrates the concerns of watershed stakeholders and, through implementation, improves the water quality within the watershed area. This project is funded through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act and is currently in implementation of the Watershed Management Plan through the Spring of 2009.

Watershed Area

The Battle Creek River Watershed area covers 187,000 acres across northern Calhoun County (Emmett, Pennfield, Convis, Lee, and Clarence Townships), southeastern Barry County (Assyria and Maple Grove Townships), and southern Eaton County ( Kalamo , Bellevue, Carmel, Walton, Eaton, and Brookfield Townships). The main drainage channel is the Battle Creek River, which receives small tributaries such as Wanandoga Creek, Goose Creek, Ackley Creek, Crooked Brook, Ellis Creek , Indian Creek, State and Indian Drain, and Big Creek. The headwaters of the Battle Creek River begin at Narrow Lake in southern Eaton County, head north through Charlotte, swing southwest through Bellevue, and outlets to the Kalamazoo River in Battle Creek, which then flows into Lake Michigan . Local residents and visitors enjoy the watershed area for the vast rural and wetland areas, lakes, and the many recreational activities including fishing, canoeing, hiking, and hunting.

 

 

 

 

Projects Implemented

Battle Creek River Restoration Project

The Eaton County Conservation District and the Battle Creek River Watershed Project received grants from the MDNR's Inland Fisheries Grant, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Fish America grant, and the Great Lakes Commission's Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control grant to restore a one mile reach of the Battle Creek River (Battle Creek Drain) through the City of Charlotte's Bennett Park utilizing natural channel design. Phase I of the project began in the late fall of 2007 with the placement of several stability and habitat structures, a rock riffle, and finally the removal of the dam. Phase II of the project began in the winter of 2008 with the placement of several stability and habitat structures and the restoration of the historical channel. The newly excavated channel will sit for one year to vegetate and stabilize before flow from the current drain is diverted. The present drain will be abandoned and filled in to create a larger floodplain area for the historic channel. When the project is completed, the following will result to improve water quality, stream habitat, and recreation:

Phase I

Phase II

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Great Lakes Commission

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

City of Charlotte

Eaton County Drain Commission

Frontier City Flycasters

Michigan Department of Transportation

Narrow Lake Fish Passage Project

In the summer of 2005, a natural fish rock ramp was constructed at the downstream end of the lake level control structure of the outlet of the Battle Creek Drain on the north end of Narrow Lake . The project was spearheaded by the Battle Creek River Watershed Project, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), the Eaton County Drain Commissioner, the Eaton County Conservation District, and was funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The goal of the project was to allow fish passage over the lake level control structure during high flows in the spring. The rock ramp is similar to a fish ladder.

In order to determine if the rock ramp was allowing for fish passage as it was designed to do, a fyke net was placed just upstream of the dam (lake level control structure) by the MDNR on March 20 th through March 28 th . MDNR checked the net every other day and measured and identified fish. The fish were then released back into Narrow Lake .

So did the rock ramp work? The fish answered with a resounding YES! Over 11 different species that represent both strong swimmers and jumpers and weak swimmers and jumpers made it over the dam. Species sampled included golden shiners, common white suckers, blue gill, largemouth bass, lake chubsucker , yellow perch, bowfin, walleye, yellow bullhead, northern pike, and pumpkinseed. The largest fish sampled was a 36” northern pike and a 21” walleye. Since the mesh of the fyke net was too large to sample smaller fish, observations have been made on site of the rock ramp that darters have made it over the dam.

Before & After:

 

Rock Ramp Survey Success!

 

 

 

River Clean Ups

On the first Saturday of October, communities throughout the Kalamazoo River Watershed hold a River Clean Up. Thousands of volunteers show-up to pick up trash in and around rivers, remove flow impeding log jams, put up bird houses, plant habitat, and many other chores to improve the aesthetics of their communities. The Frontier City Flycasters along with the Battle Creek River Watershed have been participating in the Clean Up, since October of 2004 in Bennett Park. Many students for the CPS volunteer their time to clean up any trash, place rock for the restoration project, and many other things. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Craig Snyder of the Frontier City Flycasters .

 

 

Elm Street Dam Removal

The Elm Street Dam was a low head dam consisting of 160' wide sheet-piling that stretched across the Battle Creek River in Section 6 of Emmett Township located in the City of Battle Creek, MI. The dam was erected in the early 1900's by Consumers to use the impoundment for cooling water for a coal-fired plant that was located on the south side of the river.

In partnership with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Consumers Energy, the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Potowatomi Resource Conservation & Development Council, and the City of Battle Creek , the Elm Street Dam was removed. The objectives of the removal were to 1) remove an obstruction to upstream and downstream fish migration 2) restore natural riverine habitat 3) Restore natural seasonal flow variations 4) reduce or eliminate siltation of spawning, nursery, and feeding habitat above the dam 5) allow debris, substrate and nutrients to be freely transported, creating and maintaining healthy habitat 6) eliminate unnatural temperature variations 7) eliminate canoe portage site.

Prior to removal of the dam, a geomorphic assessment was conducted to determine the short and long-term effects of the dam removal. A longitudinal profile, several pool and riffle cross-sections, and pebble counts were collected. Fish and macro invertebrate surveys were also taken upstream and downstream of the dam to evaluate the effects on habitat before and after dam removal. A sign was also erected on site to explain the dam removal project to the public who utilize Linear Path that runs adjacent to the Battle Creek River .

First phase of the removal began in July of 2004. A 40' wide section of the dam was cut out by an underwater welding contractor. This would allow the river to flow back to its historical course and any exposed floodplain to re-vegetate before complete removal. The second and final phase was completed in July of 2005. The remainder of the dam was pulled and cut out. The sheet-piling was stamped May of 1909. The banks were then stabilized with seed and mulch.

The MDNR, Calhoun Conservation District, and MDEQ will continue to monitor the long-term effects of the dam removal by continuing to conduct geomorphic assessments of the reach influenced by the dam removal. Fish and macro invertebrate surveys will also be conducted to evaluate habitat throughout the reach. This data will help assess the positive and/or negative short and long-term impacts that result from dam removals.


 


Project Partners

Other Programs and Opportunities

The Battle Creek River Watershed Project also works with landowners to help guide them with any natural resource concerns, especially water quality within the watershed area. There are many federal and state programs that are available to private landowners to improve water quality, wildlife habitat, wetland habitat, riparian corridors, forestry improvement, and more. If you are interested in any programs, but are not sure what program may be the best fit for you, the watershed project provides technical assistance. Please contact Gregg Strand at 268-781-4867.