Clinton River Watershed - Paint Creek Subwatershed EarthCache
Clinton River Watershed - Paint Creek Subwatershed
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What is a watershed and subwatershed? A watershed is an area of land that drains into a lake or river. A subwatershed is a smaller basin of a larger drainage area that all drains to a central point of the larger watershed.
Have you ever said to yourself, “Where does all that rain (or melting snow) go when it washes down the drain in the parking lot? There are many avenues the water can take on its way to its final destination but it will eventually end up in the nearest lake, stream or wetland. Some of the water will soak into the ground and replenish a stream or lake and some of it runs “overland” into a creek, drain or river. All of it is part of a watershed.
Did you ever wonder just what a watershed is? A watershed is another word for a river basin. It's an area of land that catches precipitation that flows into a particular body of water. A watershed includes the waterway and the land that drains to the waterway. The State of Michigan has four Great Lakes Drainage Basins – Erie, Huron, Superior and Michigan – and each is made up of watersheds. Each watershed is separated by a hill or a ridge. These hills and ridges in Michigan were formed courtesy of glacial activity about 20,000 years ago.
The Clinton River Watershed covers most of Macomb County, the eastern half of Oakland County and a small portion of southern end of Lapeer and St. Clair County. The land that drains into the Clinton River, and eventually into Lake St. Clair, consists of 760 square miles. The Clinton River’s main branch runs for over 80 miles and includes over 1000 miles of streams and creeks.
The Clinton River Watershed consists of several smaller “subwatersheds.” The Main Branch of the Clinton River is divided into the Main, Upper and East subwatersheds. Paint Creek, North Branch, Stoney Creek and Red Run are the four largest tributaries to the Main Branch of the Clinton River. The water that falls within all of these subwatersheds flows into the Clinton River and makes it way into Lake St. Clair.
The Paint Creek Watershed covers approximately 70 square miles. Nearly the entire Paint Creek subwatershed is in Oakland County. Gallagher Creek and Sargent Creek are the primary “open water” contributors to Paint Creek. While the land in the Paint Creek Subwatershed is mainly residential or vacant, there are many recreational uses available. The Paint Creek Trail runs for 8.5 miles through the Paint Creek Valley and provides for many outdoor recreational activities throughout the year. These activities include hiking, biking, fishing and horseback riding.
Like most urban watersheds, the Clinton River and its subwatersheds face challenges every time it rains or the snow melts. Urban development in the watershed results in higher river flows than in natural settings. The water running off our lawns, driveways and roads makes its way into the waterway. The water carries oil, fertilizers, pesticides and other pollutants as it travels its path in the watershed.
The Clinton River Watershed Council is dedicated to protecting, enhancing and celebrating the Clinton River, its watershed and Lake St. Clair. The council coordinates efforts of government, businesses and the community to improve water quality and promotes the river’s resources. The Clinton River Watershed Council provides watershed education and programs like Adopt-A-Stream, Clinton Clean-Up and Stream Leaders.
Learn more about the Clinton River Watershed Council at www.crwc.org.
More information regarding the Paint Creek Trail is available at www.paintcreektrail.org.
The posted co-ordinates will take you to a parking area off Dutton Road near Livernois. To complete this earthcache you will need a camera, a clear glass or plastic jar and a pH test strip. You can find pH test strips at pet shops or fish supply stores. Once in the parking area walk along the Paint Creek Trail to N42 42.742 W83 09.422.
To claim credit for this earthcache you must do the following:
1. At N42 42.742 W83 09.422, you should be able to find a spot to get close enough to the river to get a sample in your jar. Use the pH test strip and determine the pH of the water. Briefly describe the appearance of Paint Creek and its flow.
2. If you were to pour a glass of water into Paint Creek what is the next NON-RIVER body of water it would flow to?
3. When you left the Paint Creek Trail to get to this spot there is a brown sign with white lettering. What is the fourth “rule” and what organization placed the sign.
Email me your results from parts 1 through 3.
4. Finally, post a picture of yourself with the watershed sign you will find at the bridge near the parking area. PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND BE AWARE OF TRAFFIC ON DUTTON ROAD.
CONGRATULATIONS TO Firefly03, TeamLegend4 and darrylw4 ON THEIR FTF
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