Subwatersheds - Bear Creek
The Bear Creek Watershed covers 2.8 square miles in Muskegon County. The headwaters begin in the Twin Lakes area and travels southeasterly, discharging into Muskegon Lake. Water Quality in the Bear Creek Watershed has been reported by the MDEQ to be impaired and/or threatened. One of the sources of water quality impairment is contaminated runoff from impervious and surfaces associated with urban development.
In 2001, the Muskegon Conservation District (MCD) received a Watershed Management Planning grant for the Bear Creek Watershed from the U.S. EPA and MDEQ to develop the Bear Creek and Bear Lake Watershed Management Plan. The Plan was finalized in 2004.
In 2004, the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (MRWA) and MCD joined forces to complete the first implementation project as outlined in the Bear Creek and Bear Lake Watershed Management Plan. Visit MRWA's Bear Creek Project site to learn more about this project.
Bear Lake Nutrient Assessment Summary
Bear Lake Nutrient Assessment (PowerPoint presentation) - 10/07
Recreational exposure to microcystins during a Microcystis aeuginosa bloom in Bear Lake - 8/06
In 2010, through the Muskegon Lake BUI Restoration and Removal Project, an information and education strategy for the upper Bear Creek Watershed was developed by the MLWP, MRWA, WMSRDC, DNRE, GVSU-AWRI, MCD, Muskegon County Drain Commission and Road Commission.
