Committed to improving the water quality
and health of the Chippewa River
The Watershed
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is the geographic area where water (surface waters, precipitation, etc.) all end up at the same location. Everyone lives in a watershed. Watersheds can be determined at smaller or larger scales. For example, if you live in Barryton, you are located at the headwaters (or beginning) of the Chippewa River watershed. When it rains at your home in Barryton, that water flows to the Chippewa River. On a larger scale, the Chippewa River Watershed is within the larger watersheds of the Saginaw Bay, lake Huron, and eventually, Atlantic Ocean. Below is an image that illustrates the geography of a watershed and some of the ways the health of the water might be influenced throughout the watershed area.
The Chippewa River
The Chippewa River runs approximately 91 miles from its start in Barryton until its confluence with the Tittabawasee River in Midland. It runs west to east and spans Mecosta, Isabella and Midland counties.
Demographic Statistics
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The population is over 64,000
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17.4% of Isabella County lives below the poverty line
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The population is over 83,000
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10.1% of Isabella County lives below the poverty line
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State of the Waters
In Midland County, the Chippewa River is tested for the presence of fecal coliform bacteria (including E. coli) on a monthly to bi-monthly basis during the summer. The test locations are at the Universal Access Site located 6 miles upstream from the from the confluence of the Pine and Chippewa Rivers and the Canoe/Kayak launch located just downstream from that confluence. Testing at both sites typically reveals the presence fecal coliforms, but falls within state standard for safe exposure. Overall the heath of the Chippewa in Midland County is also fairly clean.
Visit our Resources page to learn about solutions for a healthier watershed.