Belle River Watershed

Belle River Watershed

In 2011, on behalf of the Belle River Watershed Advisory Group, the St. Clair County Health Department was awarded a $250,000 grant to develop a Belle River Watershed Management Plan. Congratulations to all the partners and volunteers who made this grant happen! 

Belle River Watershed Management Plan 
In July 2015, the Belle River Watershed Management Plan recieved approval at the state level from the Michigan DEQ and at the federal level from the EPA.The final watershed management plan is provided below. For a quick easy read and an overview of the whole plan and process, read the Executive Summary.

Belle River Watershed Executive Summary
Cover Page - Cover Page & Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Watershed Description
Chapter 2 - Water Quality Conditions
Chapter 3 - Prioritized Pollutants, Critical Areas, and Priority Areas
Chapter 4 - Designated & Desired Uses
Chapter 5 - Watershed Goals
Chapter 6 - Best Management Practices
Chapter 7 - Watershed Action Plan
Chapter 8 - Public Education Plan
Chapter 9 - Evaluation Plan

The planning process also asssesed the log jam issues throughout the watershed, but primarily focused on the Belle River at the I-94 crossing east towards the mouth of the St. Clair River (Columbus, China and East China Townships). The full assessment and plan and recommendations can be found in the Woody Debris Management Plan.

Belle River Watershed Management Plan Project Summary

This grant project, submitted October 2010, will develop a federal 319 and Clean Michigan Initiative-approved Watershed Management Plan for the Belle River Watershed. The river has a Dissolved Oxygen Total Maximum Daily Load for 21.3 miles of its headwaters where there are high sediment & nutrient loadings, and high levels of E.coli. The Belle River has excessive woody debris, has become flashier since the 1960s, and 61% of its watershed’s wetlands have been lost. The river also has state threatened and endangered species of fish and mussels. This project will identify upland and in-stream sediment/nutrient sources and E.coli sources using land use analysis, modeling, monitoring, and field work. It will prioritize retrofit opportunities, best management practices, and protection tools needed to support the goals and designated uses of the watershed and develop of a woody debris management plan. This project will emphasize education and participation activities by conducting board presentations, subwatershed meetings, focus group meetings, volunteer monitoring, education events, and a social survey.

Belle River Watershed Description

The Belle River flows southeast from Lapeer County through St. Clair County and part of northeastern Macomb County ultimately joining the St. Clair River in Marine City. The Belle River is the southernmost US tributary to the St. Clair River Area of Concern just north of Lake St. Clair. The watershed has approximately 507 miles of river, streams, and drains. It is 145,451 acres and has a population of 31,715. Based on 2009 imagery, land uses are: 54% agricultural, 25% forested, 8% residential (4% low intensity), 8% wetlands (7.5% wooded) and 5% other. Census data from 2000 shows 687 acres of urbanized area in Marine City, East China and China Townships and 3,030 acres of urbanized clusters in the cities of Imlay City, Almont and Richmond. The majority of tributaries feeding the Belle River flow through agricultural land and have historically been straightened and dredged.

Belle River Watershed Partners

The following agencies and communities have provided a letter or resolution of commitment to the Belle River’s Operating Agreement.