The Platte River Watershed Management Plan was completed in 2002. The plan called for correction of the most prevalent pollution concern: the reduction of erosion and sedimentation.

The Platte River and its tributaries have long suffered from heavy sand and sediment burden which in turn has harmed aquatic habitat and has been a source of attached pollutants such as nutrients, oils, salts, and other chemicals. Reducing other types of pollution by controlling nutrient and chemical runoff was another key element of the management plan. In the absence of funding to address to address some of the more critical pollution problems in the watershed,

District staff turned to increasing awareness and water quality monitoring as a way to forward the project. Grant funding is again being sought to improve several road/stream crossings in the Platte River Watershed with the help of the Benzie County Road Commission.

MDEQ’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Program has developed web pages for all watersheds with a Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) approved management plan. Click here to view the Platte River Watershed page. You will find watershed information and grant project fact sheets.

Project Highlights

• Developed and calibrated the EPA BASINS Watershed Model
• Began a five-year sampling program with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Platte Lake Improvement Association
• Corrected four eroding road-stream crossings with assistance from the Benzie County Road Commission
• Installed a Greenbelt Demonstration Project on Big Platte Lake
• Developed watershed curriculum for area schools
• Installed eleven watershed road signs
• Began leading “Leave No Trace In Your Waterway” canoe trips reaching 1,000 students, parents, and teachers