Michigan: Furlong Creek

Problem

Furlong Creek flows through Mackinac County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Surveys conducted in 1989 found diverse fish and macroinvertebrate communities in the creek. By 1999, however, cattle grazing on private property had unrestricted access to the creek. The animals walked in the creek and trampled riparian vegetation, causing excessive instream habitat disturbance and sedimentation.

Subsequent creek monitoring revealed low fish and macroinvertebrate diversity. Pollution-sensitive insect families (e.g., caddisflies, stoneflies, and mayflies) and fish species (e.g., rainbow trout) were absent or very rare. These aquatic life support impairments led Michigan to place a 4-mile segment of Furlong Creek on its 303(d) list in 1996.

Top of page

Project Highlights

In the early 2000s, the landowner, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) collaborated to address the water quality problems in Furlong Creek. MDA Right-to-Farm staff worked with the landowner to develop a farm management plan. In implementing the plan, project partners installed more than 20,000 feet of streambank fencing to exclude cattle from Furlong Creek.

Top of page

Results

The accompanying table shows that, by 2004, the creek had recovered. Fish and macroinvertebrate populations were essentially identical to those found before cattle gained unrestricted access to the creek. The waterbody had recovered from cattle impacts and as a result, the state removed Furlong Creek from its 303(d) list.

Top of page

Partners and Funding

DEQ provided $214,000 in section 319 funds to the Luce-West Mackinaw Conservation District for streambank fencing in Furlong Creek and a neighboring watershed. The funding also supported the pre- and post-project biological surveys.

Top of page