Gun River Watershed Management Plan Prepared for Allegan Conservation District by February 2004 GUN RIVER WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN MDEQ TRACKING CODE: #2000-0164 FEBRUARY 2004 PROJECT NO. G01339 This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement (C9975474-01) to Allegan Conservation District, 2000-0164. The contents of the document do not necessary reflect the views and policies of the Environment Protection Agency, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. FISHBECK, THOMPSON, CARR & HUBER, INC. Engineers Scientists Architects 1515 Arboretum Drive, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Telephone: 616-575-3824 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 - WATERSHED DESCRIPTION........................................................................................5 1.0 Overview ....................................................................................................................................5 1.1 Geographic Scope .....................................................................................................................5 1.2 Topography................................................................................................................................5 1.3 Soils ...........................................................................................................................................6 1.4 Climate.......................................................................................................................................7 1.5 Land Use....................................................................................................................................7 1.6 Hydrology...................................................................................................................................8 1.6.1 Lakes..........................................................................................................................9 1.6.2 Impoundments............................................................................................................9 1.6.3 Rivers, Streams, and County Drains........................................................................10 1.6.4 Groundwater.............................................................................................................10 1.6.5 Wetlands...................................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 2 - NATURAL FEATURES INVENTORY ...........................................................................11 2.0 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................11 2.1 Description of the Gun River Watershed .................................................................................11 2.2 Method of Study.......................................................................................................................12 2.3 Unique Natural Features..........................................................................................................12 2.4 Biological Surveys....................................................................................................................15 2.5 Fish Stocking Records.............................................................................................................19 2.6 Invasive Species ......................................................................................................................20 2.7 Presettlement Vegetation.........................................................................................................23 2.8 National Wetlands Inventory....................................................................................................23 2.9 Prime Farmland .......................................................................................................................24 2.10 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................................25 CHAPTER 3 - POLITICAL LANDSCAPE .............................................................................................26 3.0 Demographics..........................................................................................................................26 3.1 Community Profiles..................................................................................................................30 3.2 Government Officials ...............................................................................................................30 CHAPTER 4 - WATER QUALITY IN THE GUN RIVER WATERSHED...............................................32 4.0 Previous and Current Studies..................................................................................................32 4.0.1 Kalamazoo River Remedial and Preventive Action Plan .........................................32 4.0.2 Kalamazoo River/Lake Allegan TMDL .....................................................................33 4.0.3 Aquatic Survey of Gun Lake.....................................................................................34 4.0.4 Biological Survey of the Gun River ..........................................................................34 4.0.5 Fishery Studies in the Gun River Watershed...........................................................35 4.0.6 Water Quality Sampling on the Gun River ...............................................................36 4.1 Watershed Inventory................................................................................................................43 4.1.1 Methodology.............................................................................................................43 4.1.2 Findings....................................................................................................................44 4.2 Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analyses .........................................................................................45 4.2.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................45 4.2.2 Methodologies ..........................................................................................................46 4.2.3 Hydrologic Analysis ..................................................................................................46 4.2.3.1 Stream Protection...........................................................................................49 4.2.4 Hydraulic Analysis ....................................................................................................53 4.2.5 Benefits of the Study ................................................................................................54 4.2.6 Conclusions of the Study..........................................................................................55 4.2.7 Steering Committee Input.........................................................................................56 4.3 Designated Uses......................................................................................................................56 J:\GDOC01\R01339\WMP\EPA\EPA_GUNRIVERWMP.DOC i TABLE OF CONTENTS 4.3.1 Agricultural Use ........................................................................................................57 4.3.2 Public Water Supply at Point of Intake.....................................................................57 4.3.3 Navigation.................................................................................................................57 4.3.4 Warmwater Fishery ..................................................................................................57 4.3.5 Coldwater Fishery ....................................................................................................57 4.3.6 Other Indigenous Aquatic Life and Wildlife ..............................................................58 4.3.7 Partial Body Contact Recreation ..............................................................................58 4.3.8 Total Body Contact Recreation ................................................................................58 4.3.9 Industrial Water Supply ............................................................................................58 4.4 Desired Uses ...........................................................................................................................59 4.4.1 Groundwater Protection for Drinking Water .............................................................59 4.4.2 Increase Recreational Opportunities........................................................................59 4.4.3 Preserve Open Space and Rural Character ............................................................59 4.4.4 Create a Gun River Trailway....................................................................................60 4.4.5 Protect Prime Farmlands..........................................................................................60 4.4.6 Protect Unique Habitats for Endangered Species....................................................60 4.4.7 Encourage Wildlife Habitats .....................................................................................60 4.5 Sources