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Storm Water Program
St. Clair County Health Department 3415 28th Street Port Huron, MI 48060 810.987.5306
Kristen O'Reilly
Sheri J. Faust
Request a map of the Belle River Watershed by emailing stormwater@stclaircounty.org. |
Community Planning>Storm Water Program>Belle River Watershed Belle River Watershed
On July 25, 2011 we were notified by the state that on behalf of the Belle River Watershed advisory group the Health Department was awarded a $250,000 planning grant! This project is one of eleven water quality grants awarded by the MDEQ totaling more than 3.2 million dollars. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/nonpointsourcepollution.
If you would like to join this group please do not hesitate to contact us. It is open to any interested citizen, elected official, or interest group. Have any questions, concerns or comments related to the Belle River - please contact us!
Belle River Watershed Management Plan Project Summary
This grant project, submitted October 25, 2010, will develop a federal 319 and Clean Michigan Initiative -approved Watershed Management Plan for the Belle River Watershed. The river has a Dissolved Oxygen Total Maximum Daily Load for 21.3 miles of its headwaters where there are high sediment/ nutrient loadings, and high levels of E.coli. The Belle River has excessive woody debris, has become flashier since the 1960s, and 61% of its watershed’s wetlands have been lost. The river also has state threatened and endangered species of fish and mussels. This project will identify upland and in-stream sediment/nutrient sources and E.coli sources using land use analysis, modeling, monitoring, and field work. It will prioritize retrofit opportunities, best management practices, and protection tools needed to support the goals and designated uses of the watershed and develop of a woody debris management plan. This project will emphasize education and participation activities by conducting board presentations, subwatershed meetings, focus group meetings, volunteer monitoring, education events, and a social survey.
Belle River Watershed Description
The Belle River flows southeast from Lapeer County through St. Clair County and part of northeastern Macomb County ultimately joining the St. Clair River in Marine City. The Belle River is the southernmost US tributary to the St. Clair River Area of Concern just north of Lake St. Clair. The watershed has approximately 507 miles of river, streams, and drains. It is 145,451 acres and has a population of 31,715. Based on 2009 imagery, land uses are: 54% agricultural, 25% forested, 8% residential (4% low intensity), 8% wetlands (7.5% wooded) and 5% other. Census data from 2000 shows 687 acres of urbanized area in Marine City, East China and China Townships and 3,030 acres of urbanized clusters in the cities of Imlay City, Almont and Richmond. The majority of tributaries feeding the Belle River flow through agricultural land and have historically been straightened and dredged.
Belle River Watershed Partners
The following agencies and communities have provided a letter or resolution of commitment to the Belle River’s Operating Agreement. St. Clair County Health Department St. Clair County Drain Office St. Clair County Road Commission St. Clair County Metro. Planning Commission St. Clair County Parks & Rec. St. Clair County MSU Extension Macomb County Health Department Macomb County Public Works Office Macomb County Road Commission Macomb County Dept of Planning & Econ. Dev. Macomb County Lake St. Clair Tourism Lapeer County Health Department Lapeer Conservation District St. Clair Conservation District Natural Resources Conservation Service SE MI Council of Governments Six Rivers Land Conservancy Casco Township China Township Columbus Township Riley Township City of Memphis Berlin Township City of Imlay City City of Marine City
This page last updated on 8/15/2011.
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St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission 200 Grand River, Suite 202 | Port Huron, MI | 48060 | 810.989.6950 | cis@stclaircounty.org |
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