Presque Isle River Watershed (LS16)

Table of Streams of the Presque Isle River Watershed (LS16)

This watershed drains to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is dominated by numerous lakes and wetlands. There are no WPDES-permitted discharges in this watershed. Crab Lake is classified as an outstanding resource water. We know very little about streams in the Presque Isle River watershed.

This plan update does not include a discussion of lakes, but a detailed Lakes Report will be developed as an amendment to this plan. The Lakes Report amendment will more fully deal with issues in this watershed. Airborne mercury from such sources as coal-fired power plants--some from outside state borders--is deposited in lakes where it can be taken up in fish. The typically soft water lakes in the northern part of the state are more susceptible to mercury contamination.

Lake managers evaluate lakes based on their size, gamefish populations and angler usage to build a priority listing for fish sampling that takes into account health risks to the public.

Recommendations

1. District lake managers should prioritize lakes in the Presque Isle Watershed for fish contaminant monitoring for mercury (Type B).
2. District water resources managers should conduct stream classification monitoring to assess the condition of significant streams in the Presque Isle Watershed, including the East and South Branches of the Presque Isle River (Type B).