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The Lower Dead River Watershed Project

 Winter scene at Badger Creek [Click here to view full size picture]
Winter scene at Badger Creek

The Lower Dead River Watershed Project allows District staff to study and improve water quality concerns specific to the Lower Dead River watershed system.  Concerns include contaminated storm water runoff, flashy storm water flows, and obstructions to fish migration and water quality impacts to Lake Superior.

Physical Description of the Watershed

Lower Dead River watershed map [Click here to view full size picture]
Lower Dead River watershed map

The Lower Dead River watershed covers a 22 square mile area, or 14,080 acres, within the Lake Superior Basin.  The watershed includes the main stem of the Dead River, three dam impoundments, eight tributaries, a storm drainage district, and the mouth of the river.  While the entire watershed from headwaters to mouth covers 164 square miles, the most heavily impacted region is found within the lower reaches of the Dead River.  The watershed lies within the political boundaries of Marquette Township, Negaunee Township, and the City of Marquette.  The majority of the watershed is forested (78.5%) with a rapidle developing urban area (15.5%).  The remaining area (6%) is open field, agriculture, barren, water, and wetland.

History

In 1998, a group of concerned citizens and local public officials established the Lower Dead River Watershed Council (LDRWC) to address the increase in nonpoint source pollution and stormwater impacts associated with expanding development. Members of the LDRWC include:


The LDRWC meets on a regular basis and actively assists in project management and outreach activities.

For more information, please contact Renee Leow at renee.leow@mi.nacdnet.net.

This page last updated on 12/15/2009.