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Help Identify Critical Areas
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Critical areas are those areas in the watershed that are of particular concern for such things as erosion, sedimentation,water cloudiness (turbidity), excessive growth of algae or aquatic plants, trash dumping, etc. Critical areas can also be high quality natural areas that play an important role in maintaining water quality. If you know of any critical areas, please fill out the "Watershed Watch" form at the bottom of this page. Your input is important to the success of the Black River Watershed Project!
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Erosion and Sedimentation
High Quality Natural Areas
Development
Nutrient loading
Other
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Erosion and Sedimentation
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Sediment is one of the largest pollutants of waterways in Michigan. Sediment can enter waterways from poor land use practices adjacent to our waterways, erosion at road-stream crossings, or eroding streambanks as a result in a change in natural hydrology.
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![Erosion at road-stream crossings can add a major sediment load to streams. [Click here to view full size picture]](media/natfeat/tn_br26roadsedimentds_1.jpg)
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High Quality Natural Areas
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Natural areas in the watershed provide important functions for watershed health. Wetlands help filter the water, vegetation helps stabilize streambanks and reduce erosion, and natural areas provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife in the watershed. Some natural areas in the watershed are already preserved through organizations such as the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (www.swmlc.org) and the Michigan Nature Association (www.michigannature.org).
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![Cardinal flower blooming on a streambank. [Click here to view full size picture]](media/natfeat/tn_cardinalflower.jpg)
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Development
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Some areas in the watershed are in need of economic development. This development should occur with proper long-range planning and engineering so that water quality is not compromised.
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![Marinas near the mouth of the Black River in South Haven. [Click here to view full size picture]](media/natfeat/tn_shdevelopment_01.jpg)
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Nutrient loading
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Excess nutrients can enter our waterways though over-fertilization of lawns and farm fields, poor management of manure and pet waste, and unmaintained septic systems. These nutrients can lead to algae blooms, overgrowth of aquatic nuisance plants, and an overall decrease in water quality.
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![Excess nutrients can lead to algae blooms in area lakes. [Click here to view full size picture]](media/natfeat/tn_maxhaven22072700.jpg)
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Other
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Trash dumping sites and areas where chemical pollutants are entering waterways are examples of other areas that could be considered critical in the watershed.
Documents/Forms:
Watershed Watch form
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![Trash dumping along the south branch of the Black River. [Click here to view full size picture]](media/natfeat/tn_mvc010f.jpg)
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![Erosion at road-stream crossings can add a major sediment load to streams. [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/natfeat/br26roadsedimentds_1.jpg', 'Erosion at road-stream crossings can add a major sediment load to streams.',450,600));)
![Cardinal flower blooming on a streambank. [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/natfeat/cardinalflower.jpg', 'Cardinal flower blooming on a streambank.',640,480));)
![Marinas near the mouth of the Black River in South Haven. [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/natfeat/shdevelopment_01.jpg', 'Marinas near the mouth of the Black River in South Haven.',640,480));)
![Excess nutrients can lead to algae blooms in area lakes. [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/natfeat/maxhaven22072700.jpg', 'Excess nutrients can lead to algae blooms in area lakes.',640,480));)
![Trash dumping along the south branch of the Black River. [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/natfeat/mvc010f.jpg', 'Trash dumping along the south branch of the Black River.',640,480));)