|
Grand River (Michigan)
Project
Status: modeling is complete
River
Basin Characteristics
The Grand River basin is a tributary to Lake Michigan and discharges
at Grand Haven, Michigan. The Grand River watershed covers 5,660 square
miles and drains portions of Muskegon, Newaygo, Mecosta, Montcalm, Gratiot,
Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Clinton, Shiawasee, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Livingston,
and Jackson counties in Michigan. Major sub-tributaries to the Grand
River include the Lower and Upper Grand Rivers, Maple River, and Thornapple
River.
Land use within the watershed
is approximately 53 percent agricultural, 27 percent urban and 20 percent
forested. Within the Grand River basin, sources of sediment include
erosion from agricultural lands, bank erosion and downcutting in urban
areas, construction activities, sand pits and gravel mining along the
river, harbor structures which interrupt natural littoral drift, and
a lack of monitored BMPs on lands within the basin.
Modeling
Approach
The purpose of this study was to develop a modeling tool that could
be used by local stakeholders to minimize erosion and sediment delivered
to the Grand River and, subsequently, the Grand Haven Harbor.
In this study, a model of the lower Grand River watershed was created
using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Several
scenarios that looked at the effects of dams, tillage practices, and
the use of filter strips were developed and
modeled.
Modeling was completed in 2006. Training
for state and local partners took place in September of 2006.
Use and Applications
This study will allow better assessment of future dredging requirements
as the watershed is further urbanized. Future projects in the area,
including stream bank stabilization, fish habitat restoration, dam removal,
and TMDLS, will also
benefit from the work done in this study.
Project Partners
Baird & Associates
City
of Grand Haven
Clinton Soil
and Water Conservation District
Grand Haven – Spring Lake Sewer Authority
Grand
Valley State University
Kent
County Drain Office
Michigan Department
of Agriculture
Michigan Department
of Environmental Quality
Michigan Department
of Natural Resources
Michigan
State University - Institute of Water Research
Ottawa
County Drain Office
Ottawa
County Planning Commission
USDA – Natural
Resource Conservation Service
U.S. Geological Survey
For more information
- or to obtain digital data for advanced modeling purposes - contact:
James P. Selegean, P.E., Ph.D.
Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Detroit District
477 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
Office: (313) 226-6791
Fax: (313) 226-2398
James.P.Selegean@usace.army.mil
|
PCBs,
nutrients, increased turbidity and total suspended solids
contribute to reduced water quality within the Grand River
system
