Augusta Creek: Augusta Creek: A Treasure to ProtectA Treasure to Protect

Julia KirkwoodJulia KirkwoodSr. Environmental Quality AnalystSr. Environmental Quality Analyst

Non-Point Source ProgramNon-Point Source Program

RestoreRestore

Protect Protect Rivers and LakesRivers and Lakes

AND

From Pollution due to land management activities

Conservation easements

Why Augusta Creek?Why Augusta Creek?

To Maintain:To Maintain: Cold water temps/Trout streamCold water temps/Trout stream High water qualityHigh water quality Stability of streamStability of stream Low nutrient/sediment contribution to Low nutrient/sediment contribution to

the Kalamazoo Riverthe Kalamazoo RiverPartnershipsPartnerships Active stakeholder involvementActive stakeholder involvement

“A river is the report card for its watershed.”Alan Levere, CT DEP

From Schueler, 1987

Schueler 1995

Development Increasing

Blakeslee Creek

““Let’s Do the Let’s Do the Numbers”Numbers”

7.2%401 acres230 acres3.7 %

Remaining Capacity

Additional Impervious Area AC Can Handle

Current Impervious

Current Impervious

Augusta Creek:

Sensitive

Source: Impervious Surface Analysis of watersheds in Four Townships 2005 Numbers were averaged.

Total Acres: Total Acres: 24,192 24,192

Forest/Open/: 15,483Forest/Open/: 15,483WetlandsWetlands (64%) (64%)

Acres protected: 1,792Acres protected: 1,792(MSU,DNR, SWMLC)(MSU,DNR, SWMLC) (7.4%) (7.4%)

““Let’s Do the Let’s Do the Numbers”Numbers”

Tools for a Healthy WatershedTools for a Healthy Watershed

Good land use planningGood land use planning Conservation practicesConservation practices Low Impact Development TechniquesLow Impact Development Techniques Conservation EasementsConservation Easements

Long-Term ProtectionLong-Term Protection2025 Report Card2025 Report Card

What will it look like?What will it look like?

Losing Ground?

Staying the same?

Making progress?