Huron River Report Published by the Huron River Watershed Council SUMMER 2021

feature story Wait... Was that a !? Michigan’s native and threats of a new invader If you spot a mini lobster crawling can find most of them right here in across your lawn, chances are you the Huron River watershed! stumbled upon a crayfish. Like , crayfish are Michigan’s native crayfish that belong to the order Crayfish are burrowers that dig (a group that also includes and tunnels in soft sediments in or near ). Both lobsters and crayfish freshwater. While all of Michigan’s have hard exoskeletons, ten legs, a native crayfish are in the pair of pincers, and are delectable family, species can be categorized as when boiled and served with butter either primary, secondary, or tertiary (although you will find a single burrowers. Primary burrowers dig crayfish is more of a morsel than a complex networks of tunnels in dinner). Unlike their marine cousins, ditches, wet meadows and prairies however, crayfish are freshwater that extend as far down as the water , with over 700 species table. While primary burrowers found around the world. While a spend most of their life underground, Crayfish chimneys can be observed near crayfish might look out of place you may see them trekking across waterways, creating a secure path of in your yard, eight native crayfish access between the land and water. species call Michigan home—and you continued on page 4 credit: G. Tang Updates from the Huron River Water Trail Progress, upcoming improvements, and a new paddle-through registry

The Huron River Water Trail will see were awarded several grants totaling • improvements of the Rapids several improvement projects com- $1.28 million from the Michigan View launch area of Hudson-Mills ing soon. And progress continues on Natural Resources Trust Fund. HRWC Metropark; the network of shared-use land trails supported each project’s application • improvements to Loonfeather that hug the river. Improving regional and, in a few cases, helped plan Point Park on Ford Lake in recreational connectivity is good for designs and renovations. These Ypsilanti Township; the river. These efforts provide access, projects will build and improve making river recreation safer and infrastructure along the Water Trail, • improvements and universal reducing environmental damage in and many are breaking ground this access at the West Boat Launch of the long run. season: Kensington Metropark; and • improvements and universal Water Trail Projects • a universal access launch and comprehensive redesign of the access at the Flat Rock Boat In 2019, communities and livery area at Argo Park in Ann Launch. organizations along the Huron River Arbor; continued on page 5

INSIDE: UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS Keeping Stormwater Running Clean MiCorps ReBoot 2021 | Welcome Marisa | Mike Schultz’s Vision for the Huron | New ‘Shed Map Available! HRWC status and updates Rebecca’s Stream of Consciousness

s we move through a second asset—our community—to continue year defined by the COVID-19 working for the river because A pandemic, we are all learning together we make a difference. With to do things differently. What once more people engaging in outdoor seemed like a temporary condition recreation, a downside is that there now seems more like a permanent is more trash than ever. Do-it- shift in our hearts, minds, homes, yourself river cleanups can be done and families, as well as in the way safely with your household or your that we work. As a mission-driven pandemic pod—and help to lessen organization, HRWC has learned a lot the impacts of river recreation. Visit about ourselves this past year. One the Volunteer section of our website of the silver linings was the ingenuity for how-to information, but don’t and perseverance I saw in our team. stop there. Let’s take this viral. Share We found new ways to get work pictures of your adventure and tag you need to be a water advocate done and to engage with you all. The it with #HuronRiverDIY encouraging at the local level. Whether you are solutions were ever-evolving as no your friends to do the same. a concerned citizen who wants to two months of this pandemic have promote river-friendly development been the same. But we have landed HRWC monitoring teams have in your community, considering on several new ways of implementing found creative ways to continue our running for office, or are a current our work, and I think they will stick summer field work. This is the critical elected official, Change Makers with us through the full arc of this work that gets staff, volunteers, helps you learn to navigate local story and beyond. and interns to locations throughout governments’ decision-making the watershed to identify issues processes to encourage river-friendly As many of you know, HRWC expands like erosion, invasive species, illicit policies that protect clean water. our impact by working with many discharges, high phosphorus, and of you. As valued volunteers that harmful bacteria levels. While we Finally, we are planning to meet collect data from the river to guide have had to scale back these efforts again, on the banks of the Huron restoration, investigators that report to some degree, we continue to keep River, for our annual Suds on the issues you see in the watershed, our eyes on the river. We want to River fundraiser. We will follow residents who change your behaviors show you what we do and answer recommendations to keep us safe in ways that lessen your impact, some of your most commonly asked and compliant with the current health and advocates that push local and questions. All summer long, keep an guidelines, and we are hopeful that state leaders to enact policies and eye on our social media channels we will see many of you under the programs that keep our river healthy (Facebook and Instagram) for a big white tent (which might be even and drinking water clean—we series of staff-produced short videos bigger), sharing a taste from our local appreciate you! Yet one of the most from the field. Our team will answer breweries and a bite from our area difficult things to accomplish during questions like “Is this an algal bloom, restaurants, celebrating the river this pandemic was to engage with and is it toxic?”, “Is that foam bad?” we love and all that we are able to you. And in a zoom-weary society, we and “Can I eat the fish?” and share accomplish together. I hope to see sought alternative ways to keep us all facts about our work and the river. you there. working for the river. — Rebecca Esselman HRWC will host several Change HRWC Executive Director We have cooked up content and Makers workshops this year. Change @natureiswater programs that allow our greatest Makers gives you the information

Make a Gift for Ages to Come

Contact Wendy Palms about your planned gift to HRWC: [email protected], (734) 769-5123 x 605 Mike Schultz’s Vision for the Huron Avid fly-fisherman, entrepreneur, and ambassador of clean water Mike Schultz, affectionately known as bass regulation. Most of this section Schultzy, is a long-time supporter of is in the Huron’s Natural River District. HRWC and the Huron River. Schultz “Smallmouth bass have a very slow Outfitters, his thriving fly-fishing growth rate. Catch-and-release shop and guide business in Ypsilanti, practices minimize the negative is now widening its net to include effects on a species and help to conventional fishing tackle to support ensure the quality and survival of the the community’s ever-growing desire fish,” says Schultzy. to fish the river. Despite a demanding In addition to angler ethics, he and work schedule, Schultzy consistently his team are quietly imparting the makes time to organize river clean- values of river stewardship and clean ups, and contribute his expertise water to each group they guide. They to HRWC programs that restore and strive to be an environmental force revitalize the Huron River. for good every day. Schultzy and his team passionately Schultzy shares, “In today’s high- teach beginner-to-Ph.D. level fly- tech world, I truly unplug when I’m on fishing. They share their knowledge the river. I put away my phone and Schultzy is passionate about about weather patterns, water flow take in the healing qualities of the all things fishing, including and temperature, and how such water. I want this natural treasure to stewardship of the fish environmental factors influence the be there for my kids and their kids. through proper practices, number and species of fish you’ll I’m honored to share my knowledge preservation of aquatic likely encounter when casting a line. of the river and its inhabitants so habitat, and protection of the He’s passionate about the stretch of that everyone gets to experience the river system. river between Flook Dam at Portage bounty and the river, including future credit: M. Schultz Lake and Barton Pond, as it’s the generations.” only body of water in the State of —Wendy Palms Michigan with a catch-and-release DIY River Cleanups Keeping momentum up despite the pandemic

With the goal of having river cleanups While most trash that ends up along the entire extent of the Huron in the river is due to accidents or River, over the past ten years HRWC carelessness, some comes from has led, collaborated on, nurtured, littering. When an area is degraded and inspired an ever-growing number and there is a lot of trash, some folks of these events. Of course, these treat that location poorly in other Joe Spaly uses this simple yet events were paused in 2020. This ways. When parks, neighborhoods, summer HRWC invites you to conduct effective system to collect debris. and the river are clear of trash, people credit: J. Spaly cleanups with your household or are more likely to treat them well. pandemic pod. This is one reason we all need to do Cleanups can be conducted on our part to keep the Huron clean. If the water with either your own, we all pick up litter, others will be cleanup on social media: #HuronRiver a borrowed, or a rented canoe or more likely to help clean up and be #HuronRiverDIY. kayak. For those who prefer to stay more careful about disposing trash. Details on put-in and take-out on solid ground, cleaning up trash So, head out to your favorite locations throughout the Huron can along the river or a creek also helps section of the Huron, your favorite be found at the Huron River Water keep the river clean and healthy. Even park, or take a walk in your Trail website: picking up trash along our streets and neighborhood. While enjoying the www.huronriverwatertrail.org. neighborhoods is helpful because outdoors, pick up a bag (or three) For detailed instructions to storm drains deliver rainwater of litter. Leading by example is an prepare for your own cleanup, go to directly into creeks and the river, effective way to inspire stewardship! www.hrwc.org/cleanup. often carrying pollution and litter as Please take a photo and tag your well. —Jason Frenzel

PAGE 3 Wait... Was that a Lobster!? continued from cover Invasive crayfish erode and destabilize banks, increase While native crayfish are vital to sedimentation, degrade water quality, Michigan’s natural communities, two and even cause the collapse of dams additional crayfish species, the rusty and levees. As secondary burrowers, crayfish ( rusticus) and the red swamps are also highly adaptable red swamp crayfish (Procambarus to changing environmental conditions clarkii), are considered invasive in the and can proliferate in a diverse range state. Invasive species are plants or of habitats, surviving droughts and that have been introduced to temperature shifts in their shallow a region where they did not evolve burrows. and lack natural competitors to Currently, isolated populations keep populations in check. Invasive of red swamp crayfish exist in species can outcompete native several southeast Michigan water species for resources, suppress native bodies. Numerous studies are being Red swamp crayfish are invasive populations through predation, and conducted to determine how red and recognizable by their bright degrade habitats. swamp were first introduced, the red coloring with raised red bumps Native to the Ohio River basin, mechanisms with which they could along their claws and backs. rusty crayfish have proliferated spread, and the best ways to control credit: Adobe Stock across much of the US and are or destroy existing populations. now abundant in the Great Lakes Due to the danger red swamp region. Rusty crayfish are tertiary crayfish pose to Michigan’s aquatic fields or lawns on a rainy day. burrowers, living their entire life in ecosystems, they have been listed Primary burrowers play an important rivers and lakes. Larger than native as a prohibited Watch List Species, role in Michigan’s ecosystems, as crayfish species, they outcompete meaning it is illegal to possess, sell, or their networks of tunnels aerate native species for food and territory, trade live red swamp in the state. soils and provide habitat for other altering habitats and prey dynamics native species. Michigan’s native through consumption of aquatic You can help primary burrowers include the plants and fish eggs. Rusty crayfish While there have been no verified painted mudbug (Lacunicambarus can be found in the Great Lakes as sightings of red swamp crayfish in the polychromatus), the devil crayfish well as many inland lakes and rivers Huron River watershed, it is crucial (Lacunicambarus diogenes), and the across Michigan’s northern and lower that community members keep their digger crayfish (Creaserinus fodiens). peninsulas, including in the Huron eyes out for this dangerous invader! Secondary burrowers build River watershed. If you think you may have sighted a tunnels that are generally connected red swamp crayfish, take a picture and to rivers, lakes, or wetlands. While Red swamp crayfish contact the Michigan Department of these crayfish spend most of their While the rusty crayfish has been Natural Resources Fisheries Division. time in the water in the warmer in Michigan for some time, the red Mature red swamp crayfish are months, they use their burrows to swamp crayfish is a new invader bright red in color with raised red hide from predators and escape cold to watch for in the watershed. bumps along their claws and backs, temperatures or drought conditions. Discovered in southern Michigan in truly looking like tiny lobsters. Visit Michigan’s secondary burrowers 2017, efforts are currently underway Michigan.gov/invasives to learn more include the white river crayfish to reduce red swamp populations about how to identify and report red (Procambarus acutus) and the calico and control further spread. Native swamp crayfish sightings or contact crayfish (). to the Mississippi River drainage [email protected]. Please do your In contrast to primary and and the Gulf Coast, red swamp part to keep the watershed healthy! secondary burrowers, tertiary crayfish (or crawfish, as they are —Kate Laramie burrowers live the entirety of their locally known) are an iconic southern life in the water, rarely digging species and a staple of bayou cuisine. burrows unless they are hiding From delectable crawfish étouffée temporarily beneath rocks or other to the famous crawfish boil, these Source: Michigan Department of Natural hard substrates. These crayfish prefer crustaceans are both culturally Resources, 2020, Field Guide to Michigan fast flowing riverine habitats, where significant and economically valuable. Field Guide Crayfish. www. they serve as both predators of fish Yet outside of their native range, to michigan.gov/ eggs and macroinvertebrates, and the red swamp crayfish can be a documents/dnr/ as an important prey species for MICHIGAN destructive addition to freshwater CRAYFISH MI-Crayfish-ID- fish, birds, and mammals. The big ecosystems. Veracious predators, red Guide-8-2020_ water crayfish (Cambarus robustus), swamp feed on fish and amphibian 699856_7.pdf northern clearwater crayfish (Faxonius eggs and outcompete native crayfish propinquus), and northern crayfish for prey and territory. Due to the () are Michigan’s species’ extensive burrowing, high tertiary species. densities of red swamp crayfish can

PAGE 4 Huron River Water Trail Update continued from cover Additionally, the Huron Clinton Trail system along the Huron River The Huron Waterloo Pathways Metropolitan Authority will tackle included several projects: Initiative (HWPI) and Washtenaw a new restoration project along the • A 1.1 mile trail segment from County Parks have also made Huron River at Big Bend in Willow Dexter-Huron Metropark to Zeeb significant progress improving Metropark with funding from the Road, which includes two new land trails along the M-52 corridor, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, bridges over the Huron River and including boardwalks, new trail, and a as well as support from partners provides new access to 18 acres tunnel under M-52. A dedicated B2B including HRWC. The project will of parkland that was previously Trailhead was completed in Lyndon increase habitat complexity and inaccessible. Township near the intersection of biodiversity, create a wildlife corridor North Territorial Road and M-52. along the river, benefit native • Installation of an 0.8 mile trail While these projects are well away pollinators, capture and infiltrate segment traversing the Delhi from the Huron River Water Trail, they stormwater runoff, relocate and Metropark along the Huron River, do substantially improve regional improve a river launch site, reduce allowing for more parking and recreational connectivity, making it sedimentation and nutrients in the better access to Skip’s Huron much easier for people to pedal to river, and decrease flood potential. River Canoe Livery. The work their favorite fishing spot or scenic Specific plans include restoring further readies the B2B for future location along the river. a severely eroded riverbank with Dexter-Ann Arbor connectivity. natural materials, installing in- • Reconstruction of a 0.25 mile Huron104 stream habitat features, creating a segment of the 30+ year-old trail With the goal of engaging Water Trail habitat corridor between two high along the Huron River at Frog users and creating a ready cadre of quality floodplain forests, replacing Island Park in Ypsilanti. Improved river protection influencers, HRWC is pavement and turfgrass fields with connections from nearby paths launching a new registry for paddlers prairie, and creating four native plant to the river access point helps completing the entire length of the bio-swales to trap runoff from parking prevent erosion and improve Huron River Water Trail in one season. lots and roadways. boating access to the river. Huron104 will serve as a chronicle of • The Grove Road/Water Street river adventures where paddlers can Progress on the B2B Trail segment in Ypsilanti has also log their trip from the Water Trail start 2020 was a year of substantial had 0.45 miles of an old narrow at the Proud Lake State Recreation progress on the Border-To-Border Trail sidewalk replaced with an 8-10’ Area (mile 104), to the mouth of the in Washtenaw County. From Dexter wide concrete pathway, making it river in Pointe Mouillée State Game to Ypsilanti to Lyndon Township, trail safer for shared use. Area, Lake Erie (mile 0). To be included users have seen over five miles of in the registry, paddlers must new trail, the creation of new trail • A total of 0.36 miles in two paddle at least 100 of the 104-mile features, and the groundwork started construction segments designated trail route in a single year, for an equally productive 2021. connecting North Hydro Park either in sections or continuously, in Expansion of the Border-to-Border on the Water Trail in Ypsilanti either direction. Township to neighborhoods, Grove Road and Rawsonville Creating, improving, and maintaining Elementary School. recreational access to the river and the river corridor—the Huron River LEARN MORE! Water Trail and the shared use trails along it—make for healthy and www.huronriverwatertrail.org vibrant watershed communities.

—Daniel Brown and Pam Labadie

One of two new bridges over the Huron River on the recently completed B2B Trail segment from Dexter Huron Metropark to Zeeb Road. And construction to install the trail segment at Delhi-Metropark. credit: Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative

PAGE 5 MISSION The Huron River Watershed Council protects The Huron River Watershed and restores the river for healthy and vibrant communities. VISION We envision a future of clean and plentiful water for people and nature where citizens and government are effective and courageous champions for the Huron River and its watershed. CORE VALUES We work with a collaborative and inclusive spirit to give all partners the opportunity to become stewards. We generate science-based, trustworthy information for decision makers to ensure reliable supplies of clean water and resilient natural systems. We passionately advocate for the health of the river and the lands around it.

HRWC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee Mary Bajcz Chris Benedict Janis Bobrin Belinda Friis (Treasurer) Matthew LaFleur (Chair) Dick Norton Diane O’Connell (Vice Chair) Evan Pratt Steven Wright

Board of Directors Kathleen Aseltyne Suzanne Bade Scott Barb Sue Bejin Dave Bowman Marlene Chockley Paul Cousins Individuals, local businesses and more than 40 communities Cheryl Darnton support HRWC’s work through voluntary membership. Charles DeGryse* Mitch Dempsey David Glaab Mandy Grewal Fred Hanert Bob Hyde Molly Maciejewski James Martin Visit www.hrwc.org for detailed maps, monitoring data and creekshed status updates. Jason Morgan Erica Perry Sharon Popp Peter Schappach Matt Stuk huronriver hrwc Mike Teicher* Curt Wolf huronriver huronriverwc Lisa Wozniak

*Community-designated alternate representative

© 2021 Huron River Watershed Council The Huron River Watershed

HRWC STAFF Daniel A. Brown x 608 Watershed Planner [email protected] Anita Daley x 603 Marketing Executive [email protected] Rebecca Esselman x 611 Executive Director [email protected] Jason Frenzel x 600 Stewardship Coordinator [email protected] Jennifer Kangas x 604 Operations Director [email protected] Pam Labadie x 602 Marketing Director [email protected] Kate Laramie x 606 Watershed Ecology Associate [email protected] Ric Lawson x 609 Watershed Planner [email protected] Kris Olsson x 607 Watershed Ecologist [email protected] Andrea Paine x 613 Watershed Planning Associate [email protected] Wendy Palms x 605 Development Director [email protected] Eric Robinson x 612 Watershed Planning Fellow [email protected] Marisa Salice x 614 Visit www.hrwc.org for detailed maps, monitoring data and creekshed status updates. Marketing and Outreach Associate Lake Erie [email protected] Allison Schneider x 610 1100 North Main Street, Suite 210 Development Associate [email protected] Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 Paul Steen x 601 (734) 769-5123 Watershed Ecologist www.hrwc.org [email protected]

Design by SJ Design Studio. Quarterly layout and illustrations © 2021 by J. Wolf, Laughing Goat Arts. The Huron River Report is published three times per year. Its content is prepared by staff and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of board members. Keeping Stormwater Running Clean HRWC supports collaborative stormwater management

non-point sources. In addition, as specific requirements contained stormwater runs over impervious in stormwater management plans surfaces, it is not able to infiltrate, reviewed by state agencies (in cool, or filter through the ground. This Michigan, the Department of runoff concentrates in large, warm, Environment, Great Lakes, and often polluted volumes during and Energy). Rather than setting numeric following storms, resulting in faster pollutant limits, stormwater permits flows that erode streambanks and require six control measures: public carry soil and additional pollutants. participation, public education, illicit Without stormwater infrastructure discharge detection and elimination, controls, this fast-flowing construction site controls, post- contaminated runoff results in surface construction controls, and pollution water that is hotter, toxic to life, and prevention. To date, however, HRWC volunteers collecting stream damaging to habitat. these regulations only cover storm samples to help determine if stormwater systems in urbanized areas that are management is improving conditions. Regulations and local municipally owned. Private storm credit: HRWC governments systems (e.g. private residential developments), rural, and some Beginning with the passage of the suburban systems are not currently Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972, regulated. As human populations grew and lawmakers have been refining settled within the watershed, they attempts to address stormwater How HRWC is helping began to alter the way that water runoff. Initially, the CWA only flows across the landscape. The addressed direct discharge of HRWC staff began working with addition of impervious surfaces such pollutants from industrial facilities. local municipalities in the early as roads, sidewalks, and parking lots Municipal stormwater was exempt. 2000’s by developing watershed- influence the flow of rainwater and After a series of lawsuits and much wide stormwater plans and forming snow-melt from the surrounding congressional debate, the CWA collaborative municipal working landscape to waterways. What people was amended in 1987 to include groups. HRWC currently works do with and to this stormwater regulations on stormwater discharge with collaborative groups in three ultimately has an impact on the quality. At first, only industrial counties: Livingston (the Livingston quality of the Huron River and its stormwater, large construction Watershed Advisory Group), tributaries. HRWC staff help local sites, combined sewers (systems continued on next page governments and residents in the transporting both sewage and watershed improve stormwater stormwater runoff), and management and be good stewards of separate storm sewers water resources. in municipalities with HRWC volunteers measure conductivity populations greater in water samples to monitor creek The importance of stormwater than 100,000 were health and stormwater management management included (Phase I). best practices. credit: HRWC Stormwater runoff collects and However, in 1999 small transports pollutants from the construction sites and landscape; because these pollutants smaller municipal cannot be attributed to a specific stormwater systems source, they are known as nonpoint were brought under source pollutants, and they can regulatory control as be difficult to track and regulate. well (Phase II). Stormwater runoff can contain a wide In general, range of pollutants like solvents, municipalities automotive fluids, pet waste, lawn are required to fertilizers, and household products. reduce pollutants in In the Huron River watershed, storm stormwater “to the drains lead directly to streams and maximum extent rivers without going through any practicable.” This treatment process. HRWC estimates vague requirement that over 50% of many of the most is implemented prevalent river pollutants come from through more

PAGE 8 MiCorps ReBoot 2021 Statewide stream and lake monitoring is back with a splash

Though temporarily interrupted Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP); from $500 to $20,000, enabling for two years by a funding and the Volunteer Stream Monitoring these organizations to conduct drought, Michigan’s Clean Water Program (VSMP). river cleanups, start and run Corps (MiCorps) is back again! Through the CLMP, lake residents macroinvertebrate programs (similar It is fully funded through 2025, in Michigan make water transparency to HRWC’s River Roundup program), allowing volunteers to monitor measurements with Secchi Disks, and conduct stream habitat studies. lakes and streams across Michigan take water samples for phosphorus HRWC provides technical support for water quality parameters, and chlorophyll, measure dissolved to these groups and trains them macroinvertebrates, aquatic plants, oxygen and temperature, and in macroinvertebrate monitoring and habitat. MiCorps is a program conduct surveys of their lakes for procedures and identification. of the Department of Environment, aquatic plants and lakeshore habitat. The MiCorps Program allows HRWC Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and Residents receive training and get to make a big splash around the is run through a creative partnership assistance from biologists, especially state by working beyond watershed of several organizations, including as they get started. All of the data boundaries. Interested in learning HRWC. HRWC has helped manage collected through the program goes more? Check out the program at MiCorps since the program’s into a publicly accessible, online https://micorps.net. Lake residents inception in 2005—during that time, database, available for use by are always needed as volunteers. If HRWC has spread environmental homeowners, researchers, educators, you are interested in volunteering values and expertise across the state, and realtors, to name a few. on the stream side of things, HRWC educating and enabling citizens, The VSMP is a grant program has plenty opportunities! Check out teaching monitoring procedures, and funded by EGLE and administered hrwc.org/volunteer. Due to COVID, overseeing the disbursement of funds through HRWC and Michigan State volunteer programs are limited, but to organizations so they can start University, another MiCorps partner. please stay tuned for updates. their own monitoring programs. In 2021, the VSMP awarded 26 MiCorps has two primary grants to local governments and —Paul Steen monitoring programs: the Cooperative non-profit organizations, ranging

Keeping Stormwater Running Clean continued from previous page

Washtenaw (the Middle Huron watershed community calendars Partners), and Wayne (the Alliance that the groups produce and Stormwater regulations and controls of Downriver Watersheds). HRWC distribute annually represent have led to measurably higher-quality assists these groups with public one example. Surveys show urban waterways, but there is still participation and education, technical that residents are more work to do. HRWC is encouraging advice and compliance, progress knowledgeable and willing more municipalities to develop evaluation monitoring, and project or to take steps at home to help stormwater utilities to pay for program development to help satisfy reduce the impact of stormwater maintenance and improvements, and stormwater permit compliance. Each runoff on the watershed. to install more green stormwater group meets on a quarterly basis • Watershed Management Plans infrastructure (e.g. rain gardens to plan and share information, and have led to dozens of municipal encouraging infiltration and filtration the member municipalities provide projects that directly address by plants). More is needed to capture funding for HRWC work each year. a range of pollutant sources and filter stormwater through the including homes, streets, parking ground to continue to improve the Partner accomplishments areas and even the drainage quality of stormwater runoff and, in Over the years, HRWC has worked systems themselves. turn, the Huron River. —Ric Lawson with municipal partners to improve • Chemistry and flow monitoring stormwater management in a number results have helped to identify of important ways. Andrea Paine, Pam Labadie, and target areas for pollutant Marisa Salice contributed to this article • Public Education Plans include reduction and have reported a variety of strategies for significant reductions in increasing public awareness pollutants such as phosphorus about the watershed and and bacteria. actions that prevent pollution. The thousands of educational

PAGE 9 Welcome, Marisa! HRWC adds to the outreach team

Marisa Salice joined HRWC in April as newsletter for community leaders a Marketing and Outreach Associate. and is wrangling production of the Marisa is primarily responsible for group’s 2022 Watershed Community the planning and implementation Calendar, due out in October of this of environmental education and year. outreach programming for projects Marisa holds a Bachelor of Science across the organization. For the in Journalism and Political Science next two years, she will support the with a minor in Sustainability from public education programs for the Eastern Michigan University, and stormwater groups including the is currently pursuing a Master of Engagement and Ann Arbor SPARK, Alliance of Downriver Watersheds Science in Integrated Marketing producing live social media content (ADW), the Middle Huron Partners, Communications at EMU. As an while leading marketing and and the Livingston Watershed undergrad, Marisa worked in the promotion efforts. Advisory Group. Office of Admissions as Guest Marisa grew up in Commerce Starting a new job during a Relations Coordinator, helping to Township and has lived near the pandemic is no small feat, but develop the school’s transition Huron River her entire life. HRWC is Marisa has shown herself ready to virtual prospective student glad to have her on board! for the challenge. She has already engagement. She was also a field begun working on the ADW’s digital manager at EMU’s Center for Digital —Pam Labadie

calendar of events HRWC Events and Workshops JUNE • JULY • AUGUST • 2021

HRWC Board Meeting Thursday, July 22, 5:30pm Contact: [email protected] DIY River Cleanups Through 2021 and beyond, HRWC invites our supporters to conduct river cleanups with their household or pandemic pod. Use your own canoe or kayak, borrow one, or rent one and hit a section of the river to pick up trash while having a leisurely paddle. Details on put-in and take-out locations throughout the Huron River can be found at the Water Trail website: www.huronriverwatertrail.org. For detailed instructions to prepare for your own cleanup see: www.hrwc.org/ cleanup. Organized River Cleanup Events Partner organizations are reducing their public volunteer events through 2021 for pandemic safety. As events are planned they’ll be posted on HRWC’s river cleanup page and the calendar at www.hrwc.org, and announced in the monthly e-news. Paddle with HRWC for National Canoe Day in June! Tuesday, June 22 at Huron Meadows Metropark Thursday, June 24 at Bandemer Park in Ann Arbor More information coming soon to www.hrwc.org/calendar. Save the Date for Suds on the River Thursday, September 9

Fall Volunteer Event Dates (by invitation for pandemic safety): • Leader & Collector Training, Sunday, September 19 • River Roundup, Saturday, October 2 • Insect ID Day, Sunday, October 10

PAGE 10 Updated Watershed Map Poster

For ordering information, head over to www.hrwc.org/mapposter today!

The Watershed and Creeksheds

L a k e

H

u DISCOVER r n o a n g i h c Located in Southeast Michigan, the Huron River i

M watershed is made up of all the land, creeks, and e

k

streams that drain into the Huron River. The watershed a and river system support a tremendous variety of L wildlife and provide inviting places to swim, fish, ie paddle or simply enjoy nature for the 650,000 people Er e living within its boundaries. The river supplies ak L drinking water directly to Ann Arbor and connects to Lake Erie—the source of drinking water for more than 11 million people. The Huron River Watershed The Huron River watershed covers just over 900 square miles (1448 km) and encompasses all the land, creeks and streams that drain into the Huron River, which then drains into Lake Erie.

The Creeksheds of the Huron River Watershed Essentially a smaller version of a watershed, a creekshed is made up of all the land that drains into a tributary creek. Creeksheds and areas that drain directly to the Huron River appear in different shades at left.

Allen Creek Honey Creek Silver and Smith (Washtenaw County) Creeks Arms Creek Horseshoe Creek South Ore Creek Boyden Creek Malletts Creek Swift Run Creek CONNECT Chilson Creek Mill Creek Traver Creek Davis Creek Millers Creek Woodruff and The watershed is home to over 90 species of native fish Fleming Creek Mann Creeks and 34 species of reptiles and amphibians. Smallmouth Norton Creek Hay Creek Woods Creek bass thrive in the river and in the warmer tributaries, as Pettibone Creek Honey Creek do river bugs. Common mammals include beaver, deer, (Livingston County) Portage Creek mink, muskrat, and raccoon. In addition to resident bird species such as the Great Blue Heron, the Trumpeter Swan and many varieties of wild ducks and songbirds. The watershed is an important stopover for migrating Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Geese, Map Key Ospreys, warblers, and Sandhill Cranes. The Huron River — In its entirety, the river stretches for more than 125 miles (201 km). The 104-mile (167 km) stretch that starts at Proud Lake and ends at Lake Erie is known as the Huron River Water Trail—an inland paddling trail recognized as both a State and National Water Trail.

For Water Trail maps and information go to huronriverwatertrail.org.

Trail Towns — At these destination sites along the Huron PROTECT River, paddlers can venture off the Water Trail to enjoy each community’s unique amenities, scenery and heritage.

River, Stream, Lake, Pond — In all, the watershed contains Today, most of the pollution entering our rivers 1200 miles (1931 km) of creeks and streams, 24 major is carried by rainwater that runs off hard surfaces tributaries, and 562 lakes. such as roads, parking lots and rooftops. Pollutants Natural River District — This “natural corridor,” which include dirt, motor oil and toxic auto fluids, includes 27.5 miles (43.7 km) of the Huron River main stem fertilizers, pesticides, and bacteria from pet waste plus 10.5 miles (16.8 km) of three tributaries, has been and failing septic systems. Our built infrastructure— designated for preservation by local governments, citizens stormdrains, drainage ditches and culverts—direct and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. this polluted and untreated rainwater straight into Urban Area — Our watershed is home to 63 municipalities HRWC Events and Workshops our waterways at quantities and velocities that spanning 7 counties. erode stream banks and habitat. State Park, Metropark or Local Park — There are 10 State Parks (8 State Recreation Areas and 2 State Game Areas) and 10 Metroparks located within the watershed.

Dam — The watershed includes 96 dams and lake level control structures. The first dams were constructed in the 1820s on Fleming Creek and Mill Creek. The 19 dams that are on the main stem are shown at left.

Watershed High and Low Points — The watershed’s high point of 1,217 feet (1,958 km) is in the Mann Creekshed. From the river’s headwaters to its mouth, the elevation changes from 1,018 feet (1638 km) to 572 feet (920 km) above sea level.

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Fortunately, there are simple daily actions you can take to help protect the Huron River. They include About HRWC capturing runoff with trees, native plants and rain gardens; limiting use of pesticides and fertilizers; properly disposing of unused prescription meds and home toxins; and picking up pet waste. You can also make a positive difference by adopting a stormdrain or volunteering with the Huron River Watershed Council.

For more Huron The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) coordinates programs and River watershed volunteer efforts aimed at protecting and restoring the Huron River. Our maps and work is supported by individual members, local businesses, and more information on how than 40 communities across southeast Michigan. Learn how you can get you can protect involved at hrwc.org. clean water, scan For more Huron River watershed maps and information on how you can this QR code: protect clean water, scan the QR code on the far left side of this poster, or visit hrwc.org/our-watershed. The Huron River Watershed ©2020 Huron River Watershed Council

DISPLAY 24” x 36” Ready to frame FREE! or use as-is INSPIRE $10 postage Use this beautiful and handling map as a teaching guide to learn EXPLORE more about the Includes creeksheds, watershed. Natural River Districts, parks, mainstem features, and much, much more!

PAGE 11 1100 North Main Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Printed on 30% minimum post-consumer recycled content paper.

Together We Protect Our Home River Please give back to the river that has givenYou usAre so muchInvited! Celebrate with us as we return to our home river, the Huron. Since 1965, we have led the Thursday, September 9 change we want to see – taking the 6-9pm mantle and advocating at the LOCAL Enjoy locally brewed artisanal beer level, collecting and interpreting science, and gourmet fare from your favorite informing action, policy, and outreach, local chefs. Demo a kayak or canoe. strengthening local laws and regulations, Learn to cast a fly rod. Enjoy live implementing innovative solutions such acoustic music and friends around a campfire. Covid-safe precautions in as natural resources planning, climate an open-air environment! readiness, and real-time monitoring. Tickets available at HRWC.org DonateProceeds at hrwc.org/donate support HRWC HRWC depends on your support to protect our clean water for people and nature.

Photo by John Lloyd Questions about how your dollars can help? Margaret Smith (734) 769-5123 x 605, [email protected]

Photo by John Lloyd