Summary  

The Hydrologic Studies and Dam Safety Unit (HSDSU) supports the Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program by providing hydrologic analysis critical to understanding the impacts of stormwater runoff on stream dynamics.  Hydrologic analyses that the HSDSU has provided to NPS projects include: 

• Watershed delineation, soil, and land cover information: Obtaining watershed and subbasin boundaries, soil, and land cover information is essential early in a watershed planning project. HSDSU determines boundaries by reviewing USGS quadrangle maps.  Watershed boundaries and land cover information for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are available from Michigan's Geographic Data Library . 
• Flow determinations: Knowing peak stream flows can be useful as communities develop stormwater control ordinances. It can also be used with cross-section data (which we don't provide) to determine stream velocities needed, for example, to design proper slope protection. 
• Stream flow measurements: These measurements provide data for model calibration or water quality monitoring. The need for flow data should be reviewed DEQ staff before the NPS project begins. We can help select good measurement sites and provide advice or training on proper measurement techniques. In some cases, we also collect the field data. 
• Watershed Studies: Hydrologic modeling can be used to determine the impact of land uses changes and BMPs on storm flows. This information may be useful for long-range planning efforts, community stormwater ordinances, and BMP selection, design, and evaluation.  See also   Watershed Studies . 
• Developing stable stream flow criteria:  See also Reports and Fact Sheets . 
• HSDSU staff also participate in watershed team meetings, disseminate existing data, review grant proposals to provide long term solutions to NPS problems, and conduct site inspections, as needed. 

Reports and Fact Sheets 

• Small Storm Hydrology (200 KB PDF) 
• Application of the Richards-Baker Flashiness Index to Gaged Michigan Rivers and Streams (3.1 MB) 
• Application of the Richards-Baker Flashiness Index to Gaged Michigan Rivers and Streams (3.8 MB DOC)  
• Quality Assurance Project Plan Guidance for Hydrologic Monitoring Studies (0.9 MB) 
• 90-Percent Annual Non-Exceedance Storms (1.3 MB) 
• Stream Stability and Channel Forming Flows (0.2 MB) 
• Hydrologic Impacts Due to Development: The Need for Adequate Runoff Detention and Stream Protection (0.3 MB) 
• Protocol for Field Surveys of Stream Morphology at Gaging Stations in Michigan (1.6 MB) 

Presentations 

• Hydrology and Stream Stability    (2.1 MB), presented October 24, 2000: an overview of hydrology and stream stability, with some examples from specific projects 
• Hydrologic Analysis for Nonpoint Source Grants   (3.6 MB), presented June 12, 2001 at the Nonpoint Source Program Grantee Workshop: an overview of the hydrologic analysis requirements for 319 or Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) Nonpoint Source grants 
• Examples of Hydrologic Analysis for Nonpoint Source Grants   (4.5 MB), presented December 14, 2001 at the Michigan Association of Conservation District conference 
• Hydrology   (3.0 MB), presented April 2, 2002 to the Macatawa Watershed committee: an overview of general hydrology as it relates to nonpoint source projects 
• Hydrologic Cues   (5.0 MB), presented June 23, 2002 at MDEQ's Nonpoint Source Program Grantee Workshop: a presentation on the significance of stream and watershed observations 
• Hydrologic Analysis for NPS Grants (5.7 MB), presented September 9, 2004 at MDEQ's Nonpoint Source Program Grantee Workshop 

MDEQ links 

• Nonpoint Source home page 
• Hydrologic Studies Program home page 
• Introduction to Hydrology 
• Hydrology Glossary 
• Guidebooks - Stormwater Management, Floodplain Management for Local Officials  
• Michigan's Stream Team  

Watershed Studies   

Planned/Pending Studies

Statewide Flashiness

2011

Munuscong River (3.2 MB) 

2010

Kalamazoo River - Ceresco Reach (3.1 MB) 

Mid-Shiawassee River (3.9 MB) 

Kids Creek (3.4 MB) 

Indian Mill Creek (Lower Grand River Watershed) (2.6 MB) 

2009 

Portage Creek (Huron River Watershed) (2.0 MB) , Presentation to watershed stakeholders (7.5 MB PPT) 

Dickinson Creek (2.6 MB) 

Lake Macatawa (3.7 MB) 
Lake Macatawa Modeled Pollutant Loads 2009 (0.9 MB ) 
Macatawa Hydrologic Study 2000 (1.8 MB) Note: Reported design flows are superseded by a more recent flood insurance study. 

2008 

Black River (Sanilac County)(1.7 MB) 

Kalamazoo River (1.8 MB) 

Strawberry Creek (4.1 MB) 

Thornapple River (0.9 MB) 

2007 

Mitchell Creek (Mecosta and Newago Counties) (1.0 MB) 

Pine River/Van Etten Lake (1.6 MB) 

Two Hearted River (0.8 MB) 

2006 

Pinnebog River (1.6 MB) 

River Raisin (2.4 MB), Evans Creek 2005 (1.4 MB), 2004 Presentation to the River Raisin Watershed Council (3.8 MB PPT) 

2005 

Hog Creek (1.0 MB) 

2004 

Black River (Van Buren County) (0.8 MB) 

Cedar Creek (0.9 MB) 

2003 

Bear Creek (Muskegon County) (0.7 MB) 

Coldwater River (1.0 MB)   

Sand Creek (1.2 MB)   

2002 

Hager Creek Reference Reach (0.1 MB) 

Ryerson Creek (0.5 MB) 

2001 

Blakeslee Creek (1.3 MB) 

Pigeon River (0.4 MB)  

Earlier 

Bear Creek (Kent County) 1991 report (1.0 MB) 

Mitchell Creek (Grand Traverse County) 1991 report (1.1 MB) 

 
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