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ATUR F N AL O R T E N S E O U M R T C R E A STATE OF MICHIGAN S P E DNR D M ICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SR46 October 2008 Ontonagon River Assessment Brian J. Gunderman and Edward A. Baker www.michigan.gov/dnr/ FISHERIES DIVISION SPECIAL REPORT 46 MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FISHERIES DIVISION Special Report 46 October 2008 Ontonagon River Assessment Brian J. Gunderman and Edward A. Baker MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR) MISSION STATEMENT “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the State’s natural resources for current and future generations.” NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION (NRC) STATEMENT The Natural Resources Commission, as the governing body for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, provides a strategic framework for the DNR to effectively manage your resources. The NRC holds monthly, public meetings throughout Michigan, working closely with its constituencies in establishing and improving natural resources management policy. MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES NON DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) provides equal opportunities for employment and access to Michigan’s natural resources. Both State and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, sex, height, weight or marital status under the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 as amended (MI PA 453 and MI PA 220, Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act). If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire additional information, please write: HUMAN RESOURCES Or MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS Or OFFICE FOR DIVERSITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CADILLAC PLACE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PO BOX 30028 3054 W. GRAND BLVD., SUITE 3-600 4040 NORTH FAIRFAX DRIVE LANSING MI 48909-7528 DETROIT MI 48202 ARLINGTON VA 22203 For information or assistance on this publication, contact the MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Fisheries Division, PO BOX 30446, LANSING, MI 48909, or call 517-373-1280. TTY/TDD: 711 (Michigan Relay Center) This information is available in alternative formats. ATUR F N AL O R T E N S E O U M R T Printed under authority of Michigan Department of Natural Resources C R E A S P E DNR D Total number of copies printed 40 — Total cost $1,769.56 — Cost per copy $44.24 M ICHIGAN Ontonagon River Assessment Suggested Citation Format Gunderman, B.J., and E.A. Baker. 2008. Ontonagon River assessment. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Special Report 46, Ann Arbor. ii Ontonagon River Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS ........................................................................................vi LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................vii LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................ix LIST OF APPENDICES .............................................................................................xi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...........................................................................................xii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................... xiii INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 RIVER ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................. 4 Geography ........................................................................................................................... 4 Middle Branch—upper .................................................................................................. 5 Middle Branch—lower ................................................................................................... 5 Main Stem ..................................................................................................................... 5 East Branch................................................................................................................... 5 Cisco Branch................................................................................................................. 5 South Branch ................................................................................................................ 6 West Branch.................................................................................................................. 6 History.................................................................................................................................. 6 Geology ............................................................................................................................. 12 Surface Geology............................................................................................................. 12 Middle Branch—upper ................................................................................................ 13 Middle Branch—lower ................................................................................................. 13 Main Stem ................................................................................................................... 13 East Branch................................................................................................................. 13 Cisco Branch............................................................................................................... 13 South Branch .............................................................................................................. 14 West Branch................................................................................................................ 14 Bedrock Geology............................................................................................................ 14 Hydrology........................................................................................................................... 14 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 15 Annual Stream Flows ..................................................................................................... 15 Seasonal Stream Flows.................................................................................................. 16 Daily Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 17 Flooding and Floodplains ............................................................................................... 18 Soils and Land Use............................................................................................................ 19 Soils................................................................................................................................ 19 Land Use ........................................................................................................................19 Bridges and Other Stream Crossings............................................................................. 20 Channel Morphology.......................................................................................................... 21 Gradient.......................................................................................................................... 21 Specific Power................................................................................................................ 22 Middle Branch—upper ................................................................................................ 23 Middle Branch—lower ................................................................................................. 23 iii Ontonagon River Assessment Main Stem................................................................................................................... 23 East Branch................................................................................................................. 23 Cisco Branch............................................................................................................... 24 South Branch .............................................................................................................. 24 West Branch................................................................................................................ 24 Channel Cross Section................................................................................................... 25 Dams and Barriers............................................................................................................. 25 Middle Branch—upper ................................................................................................ 27 Middle Branch – lower................................................................................................. 28 Main Stem................................................................................................................... 29 East Branch................................................................................................................. 30 Cisco Branch..............................................................................................................