A watershed is a basin-like landform defined
by highpoints and ridgelines that descend into lower elevations and
stream valleys. A watershed carries water "shed" from the land
after rain falls and snow melts. Drop by drop, water is channeled
into soils, groundwaters, creeks, and streams, making its way to
larger rivers and eventually the sea. Water is a universal solvent,
affected by all that it comes in contact with: the land it
traverses, and the soils through which it travels. The important
thing about watersheds is: what we do on the land affects water
quality for all communities living downstream. In Grand Traverse
County, the largest watershed is the Boardman River Watershed,
which spans 295 square miles and drains approximately182,800 acres
of land through 130 miles of river and stream tributaries. Twelve
lakes ranging in size from a few acres to 60 acres drain into the
Boardman River.
The Boardman River is considered one of
the top ten trout streams in Michigan and is one of the
particularly outstanding natural features of the Grand Traverse Bay
Region. The Boardman River Watershed is not problem free. A 1991
study entitled Boardman River Watershed Report identified over 600
eroded sites along the Boardman River and its tributaries; 85% of
these sites are the result of human activity. The sediment entering
the river from these sites has significantly degraded the
productivity of this state-designated "Blue Ribbon" trout stream
and has negatively impacted the recreational opportunities offered
by the river. In addition to correcting these problems, long term
protection of the area's soil and water resources as well as
improved riparian landowner and user group stewardship is
imperative.
The topography of the Boardman River
Watershed is mostly flat, sandy plains broken locally by small
shallow depressions. Pothole bogs and swampy lands bordering stream
channels comprise a small portion of the total area. The glacial
moraine areas north and south of the river valley rise sharply to
defined highland ridges and broad plateaus. Glacial deposits are in
excess of 500 feet thick. The outer edge of the Port Huron Moraine
extends east-west across the southern third of the basin, while
part of the inner ridge of this moraine generally parallels the
area along the northern boundary of the basin. Between these two
prominent morainic ridges is a six- to 14-mile wide outwash plain
through which the Boardman River flows.
The major soils in the valley areas of
the Rubicon-Grayling and Rubicon-Kalkaska types. These soil types
are, for the most part, dry sandy soils and acidic in nature, very
pervious and low in fertility. These dry, sandy, infertile soils
are what make the Boardman River streambanks so fragile and
susceptible to erosion. Soils in the river bottom upstream of
Kalkaska are mainly peat and muck.
For more information about the Boardman
Watershed, click here: [Grand Traverse
Conservation District] or here: [The Watershed
Center]
At the site of this cache,
there is a three-sided sign that has information about the Boardman
River and its watershed. In order to get credit for this cache,
post a picture with you and your GPS in it with the river in the
background when you log this cache and answer the following
questions:
1) What large lake does the Boardman watershed ultimately
drain into?
2) This area has several trail systems. How many are listed on the
sign?
3) Take a look at the bottom of the river. Is the bottom sandy from
erosion or mostly gravel as a result of nearby stream bank erosion
containment efforts?
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