Physical description of the watershed

Eight main tributaries, along with several smaller, unnamed streams feed into the main stem of the Dead River. Reany Creek, the longest stretch of stream, starts in the western portion of Negaunee Township and runs parallel with the northern watershed boundary. Holyoke Creek is a smaller tributary that feeds into Reany Creek. Both streams are dominantly forested in land use with large parcels of corporate forest land. Midway Creek and Brickyard Creek are tributaries in the southern portion of the watershed and are found in rapidly developing residential areas. Wolner Creek, Backyard Creek, and Raney Creek are primarily urban streams while Badger Creek is considered a drainage district administered by the Marquette County Drain Commissioner. Currently, there are two dam impoundments found within the lower reaches of the Dead River watershed. They include: the McClure Dam, located downstream of the McClure Storage Basin, and the Forestville Dam, located downstream of the Forestville Storage Basin. There was also a storage basin located above the Tourist Park Dam until the fuse plug failure at Silver Lake Basin released 8 billion gallons of water and washed out the basin at Tourist Park in May of 2003.