Watershed Summary 

The Lower Dead River Watershed is a 22-square mile watershed in Marquette County that drains into Lake Superior. The Lower Dead River Watershed is approved under the CMI administrative rules and was funded under section 319. Land use in the critical area has been estimated at 65% forested, 30% urban/residential, and 5% other. This watershed has reduced the large amounts of storm water and severe sedimentation from contaminating the water, while improving aquatic habitat. The Lower Dead River Watershed Project is unique in that it is one of the most rapidly developing sub-watersheds in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, new roads, parking lots, industrial parks, etc.). The Lower Dead River Watershed Project has been a success to protect and restore the water quality in the Lake Superior Basin.

MDEQ Nonpoint Source Links 

For a copy of the approved watershed management plan, please contact Bob Sweet via email, or at 517-335-6967, or Peter Vincent via email, or at 517-241-8351.

• Lower Dead River Watershed Transition Project fact sheet (280 KB PDF) 
• Lower Dead River Watershed Management Plan (3,100 KB PDF) 
• Riparian Buffer Implementation Report (1,800 KB PDF) 
• Superior Watershed Partnership fact sheet (475 KB PDF) 

Watershed Websites 

• Superior Watersheds Partnership