Summary

The Hydrologic Studies Unit (HSU) supports the Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program by providing hydrologic analysis critical to understanding the impacts of stormwater runoff on stream dynamics.  Hydrologic analyses that the HSU has provided to NPS projects include:

• Watershed delineation, soil, and land cover information: Obtaining watershed and subbasin boundaries, soil, and land cover information is essential early in a watershed planning project. HSU determines boundaries by reviewing USGS quadrangle maps. Watershed boundaries and land cover information for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are available from Michigan's Geographic Data Library .
• Flow determinations: Knowing peak stream flows can be useful as communities develop stormwater control ordinances. It can also be used with cross-section data (which we don't provide) to determine stream velocities needed, for example, to design proper slope protection.
• Stream flow measurements: These measurements provide data for model calibration or water quality monitoring. The need for flow data should be reviewed DEQ staff before the NPS project begins. We can help select good measurement sites and provide advice or training on proper measurement techniques. In some cases, we also collect the field data.
• Watershed Studies: Hydrologic modeling can be used to determine the impact of land uses changes and BMPs on storm flows. This information may be useful for long-range planning efforts, community stormwater ordinances, and BMP selection, design, and evaluation.  See also  Watershed Studies .
• Developing stable stream flow criteria: See also  Reports and Fact Sheets .
• HSU staff also participate in watershed team meetings, disseminate existing data, review grant proposals to provide long term solutions to NPS problems, and conduct site inspections, as needed.

Reports and Fact Sheets

• Application of the Richards-Baker Flashiness Index to Gaged Michigan Rivers and Streams (3,100 KB PDF)
• Application of the Richards-Baker Flashiness Index to Gaged Michigan Rivers and Streams (3,800 KB DOC) 
• Quality Assurance Project Plan Guidance for Hydrologic Monitoring Studies (930 Kb)
• 90-Percent Annual Non-Exceedance Storms (1,300 Kb)
• Stream Stability and Channel Forming Flows (220 Kb)
• Hydrologic Impacts Due to Development: The Need for Adequate Runoff Detention and Stream Protection (260 Kb)
• Protocol for Field Surveys of Stream Morphology at Gaging Stations in Michigan (1,570 Kb)

Presentations

• Hydrology and Stream Stability  (2,100 KB), presented October 24, 2000: an overview of hydrology and stream stability, with some examples from specific projects
• Hydrologic Analysis for Nonpoint Source Grants  (3,600 KB), presented June 12, 2001 at the Nonpoint Source Program Grantee Workshop: an overview of the hydrologic analysis requirements for 319 or Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) Nonpoint Source grants
• Examples of Hydrologic Analysis for Nonpoint Source Grants  (4,500 Kb), presented December 14, 2001 at the Michigan Association of Conservation District conference
• Hydrology  (3,000 Kb), presented April 2, 2002 to the Macatawa Watershed committee: an overview of general hydrology as it relates to nonpoint source projects
• Hydrologic Cues  (5,000 Kb), presented June 23, 2002 at MDEQ's Nonpoint Source Program Grantee Workshop: a presentation on the significance of stream and watershed observations
• Hydrologic Analysis for NPS Grants (5,700 Kb), presented September 9, 2004 at MDEQ's Nonpoint Source Program Grantee Workshop

MDEQ links

• Nonpoint Source home page
• Hydrologic Studies Unit home page
• Introduction to Hydrology
• Hydrology Glossary
• Guidebooks - Stormwater Management, Floodplain Management for Local Officials 
• Michigan's Stream Team 

Watershed Studies

Black River 2004 (770 Kb PDF)

Blakeslee Creek 2001 (1,300 Kb PDF)

Bear Creek (Kent County) 1991 report (1,900 Kb PDF) , Bear Creek report summary (250 Kb PDF)

Bear Creek (Muskegon County) 2003 (730 Kb PDF)

Cedar Creek 2004 (900 Kb PDF)

Coldwater River 2003 (950 Kb PDF)  

Hog Creek 2005 (980 Kb PDF)

Hager Creek Reference Reach 2002 (120 Kb PDF)

Kalamazoo River 2008 (1,800 Kb PDF)

Macatawa River Watershed Hydrologic Study (1,800 KB) Note: reported design flows are superseded by a flood insurance study in progress.

Mitchell Creek (Grand Traverse County) 1991 report (2,100 Kb PDF) ,  Mitchell Creek report summary (230 Kb PDF) 

Mitchell Creek (Mecosta and Newago Counties) 2007 (960 KB PDF)

Pigeon River 2001 (360 Kb PDF) 

Pine River/Van Etten Lake 2007 (1,600 Kb PDF)

Pinnebog River 2006 (1,600 Kb PDF)

River Raisin 2006 (2,400 Kb PDF), Evans Creek 2005 (1,400 Kb PDF), 2004 Presentation to the River Raisin Watershed Council (3,800 Kb PPT)

Ryerson Creek 2002 (540 Kb PDF)

Sand Creek 2003 (1,150 Kb PDF)  

Strawberry Creek 2008 (4,100 Kb PDF)

Thornapple River 2008 (900 Kb PDF)

Two Hearted River 2007 (790 Kb PDF)

Planned/Pending Studies: Black River (St. Clair and Sanilac Counties), Dickinson Creek (within Kalamazoo River watershed)

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