Watershed Summary

The Lower Grand River watershed is approximately 3,020 square miles, and includes the Thornapple River, Flat River, and Rogue River Watersheds, which flow into the Grand River, and enters Lake Michigan at Grand Haven. The Lower Grand River Watershed is approved under the CMI administrative rules and was funded under section 319. The watershed is 53% agricultural, and includes the metropolitan area of Grand Rapids. The riparian habitat is 25-50% forested. This project has reduced sediment and nutrients in the watershed that helped to repair the poor fish and macroinvertebrate communities, sedimentation, elevated nutrient levels, and excessive algae growth. It also reduced mercury, pathogens, and Polychlorinated Biphenyls contamination to protect and preserve the fisheries, agricultural, and recreational opportunities in West Michigan.

MDEQ Nonpoint Source Links

• Low Impact Development (LID) Campaign for Greater Grand Rapids (700 KB) 
• Lower Grand River Watershed Planning Project fact sheet (630 KB PDF)
• Illicit Connection Elimination in the City of Grand Rapids fact sheet (85 KB PDF)
• Watershed Plans within the larger Lower Grand River Watershed
  • Buck Creek
  • Coldwater River
  • Hager Creek
  • Plaster Creek
  • Rogue River
  • Sand Creek
  • Spring Creek

(A current version of Adobe Reader  or Adobe Acrobat may be needed to open PDF documents.)

Watershed Websites

• Lower Grand River 319 Project
• Thornapple River
• Watershed Management Plan on GVSU's website

Suggestions, corrections, or comments? Please contact us .