ATUR F N AL O R T E N S E O U M R T C R E A S STATE OF MICHIGAN P E DNR D M ICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SR45 February 2008 Tahquamenon River Assessment James R. Waybrant and Troy G. Zorn www.michigan.gov/dnr/ FISHERIES DIVISION SPECIAL REPORT 45 MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FISHERIES DIVISION Special Report 45 February 2008 Tahquamenon River Assessment James R. Waybrant and Troy G. Zorn 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 C Printed under authority of Michigan Department of Natural Resources R E A S P E DNR D Total number of copies printed 25 — Total cost $541.26 — Cost per copy $21.65 M ICHIGAN Tahquamenon River Assessment Suggested Citation Format Waybrant, J.R., and T.G. Zorn. 2008. Tahquamenon River Assessment. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Special Report 45, Ann Arbor. ii Tahquamenon River Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS ........................................................................................vi LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................vii LIST OF TABLES..................................................................................................... viii LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................................. x ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................xi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..........................................................................................xii INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 RIVER ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................. 4 Geography ........................................................................................................................... 4 Upper River Segment.................................................................................................... 4 Dollarville Segment ....................................................................................................... 4 Marsh Drainage Segment ............................................................................................. 5 Middle River Segment................................................................................................... 5 Hendrie River............................................................................................................. 5 Sage River ................................................................................................................. 6 Lower River Segment.................................................................................................... 6 East Branch Tahquamenon River ................................................................................. 6 History.................................................................................................................................. 6 General............................................................................................................................. 6 Archaeology....................................................................................................................13 Geology ............................................................................................................................. 14 Bedrock Geology............................................................................................................ 15 Surface Geology............................................................................................................. 15 Upper River Segment.................................................................................................. 15 Dollarville Segment ..................................................................................................... 16 Marsh Drainage Segment ........................................................................................... 16 Middle River Segment................................................................................................. 16 Hendrie River........................................................................................................... 16 Sage River ............................................................................................................... 16 Lower River Segment.................................................................................................. 16 East Branch Tahquamenon River ............................................................................... 17 Hydrology........................................................................................................................... 17 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 17 Annual Stream Flows ..................................................................................................... 17 Seasonal Flow Stability .................................................................................................. 18 Connected Marshes .................................................................................................... 20 Soils and Land Use............................................................................................................ 20 Soils and Stream Crossings ........................................................................................... 20 Land Use ........................................................................................................................22 Channel Morphology.......................................................................................................... 22 Channel Gradient ........................................................................................................... 22 Upper River Segment.................................................................................................. 23 iii Tahquamenon River Assessment Dollarville Segment ..................................................................................................... 23 Marsh Drainage Segment ........................................................................................... 24 Middle River Segment................................................................................................. 24 Hendrie River........................................................................................................... 24 Sage River ............................................................................................................... 24 Lower River Segment.................................................................................................. 24 East Branch Tahquamenon River............................................................................... 25 Other Tributaries ......................................................................................................... 25 Channel Cross Sections................................................................................................. 25 Instream and Riparian Habitat Conditions...................................................................... 26 Upper River Segment.................................................................................................. 26 Dollarville Segment ..................................................................................................... 27 Marsh Drainage Segment ..........................................................................................