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 MI N DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CHIGA FR20 June 2017 Grand River Assessment Scott K. Hanshue and Amy H. Harrington www.michigan.gov/dnr/ FISHERIES DIVISION FISHERIES REPORT 20 Suggested Citation Format Hanshue, S. K., and A. H. Harrington. 2017. Grand River assessment. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Report 20, Lansing. 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 and cultural 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: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ATUR F N AL O R Fisheries Division T E N S E O PO BOX 30446 U M R T C LANSING, MI 48909 R E A S P 517-373-1280 E DNR D TTY/TDD: 711 (Michigan Relay Center) M ICHIGAN This information is available in alternative formats. Grand River Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... vii LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................................. x ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................ xi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................... xii INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 RIVER ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................. 4 Geography .........................................................................................................................4 Headwaters .................................................................................................................4 Upper River Segment ..................................................................................................4 Middle River Segment ................................................................................................. 5 Lower River Segment ..................................................................................................5 Mouth ..........................................................................................................................5 History ...............................................................................................................................6 Geology ...........................................................................................................................10 Hydrology .........................................................................................................................11 Climate .........................................................................................................................11 Headwaters ............................................................................................................... 12 Upper River Segment ................................................................................................ 12 Middle River Segment ............................................................................................... 12 Lower River Segment ................................................................................................ 12 Mouth ........................................................................................................................ 13 Climate Change ............................................................................................................ 13 Annual Stream Flows .................................................................................................... 13 Seasonal Water Flow .................................................................................................... 14 Headwaters and Upper River Segment ..................................................................... 16 Middle River Segment ............................................................................................... 16 Lower River Segment ................................................................................................ 17 Mouth ........................................................................................................................18 Daily Water Flow ........................................................................................................... 18 Flooding and Floodplains .............................................................................................. 19 Water Use .....................................................................................................................21 Soils and Land Use .......................................................................................................... 22 Soils ..............................................................................................................................22 Land use and Land cover ............................................................................................. 23 Headwaters ............................................................................................................... 24 Upper River Segment ................................................................................................ 24 Middle River Segment ............................................................................................... 24 Lower River Segment ................................................................................................ 25 Mouth ........................................................................................................................ 25 Bridges, Culverts and Other Stream Crossings ............................................................. 26 Channel Morphology ........................................................................................................ 27 Gradient ........................................................................................................................ 28 Specific Power .............................................................................................................. 29 i Grand River Assessment Channel Cross Section ................................................................................................. 29 Headwaters ............................................................................................................... 30 Upper River Segment ................................................................................................ 30 Middle River Segment ............................................................................................... 31 Lower ........................................................................................................................ 32 Mouth ........................................................................................................................ 33 Dams and Barriers ........................................................................................................... 33 Headwaters ............................................................................................................... 35 Upper River Segment ................................................................................................ 36 Middle River Segment ............................................................................................... 37 Lower River Segment ................................................................................................ 38 Mouth ........................................................................................................................ 41 Water Quality ................................................................................................................... 41 Overview .....................................................................................................................