Watersheds are areas of land where drainage, like rainfall or spilled pollutants, eventually flows into a particular body of water.

Watershed stewardship

Why it matters: Benzie County’s three watersheds—Platte, Crystal Lake, and Herring Lakes—are complex systems made of winding rivers, beloved lakes, and expansive wetlands. Fluids like rainfall channel through these habitats and can change their water quality by carrying and depositing pollutants, microplastics, and invasive species.

How you can help: Want to do your part to protect the water quality in Benzie County? Learn about your watershed below, or view and download our Benzie Watersheds Stewardship Guide to discover best management practices for your actions, your landscaping, and your home.

What we do: By researching water quality changes and working with local stakeholders, we provide guidance that helps reduce pollution and sustain healthy waters. Some of these activities, like water quality research, pairs with our annual volunteer events. We also facilitate the development of watershed management plans, which are uniquely made for each watershed to document water quality data, issues, and solutions. View each watershed's plan and learn more about Benzie's watersheds at the links below.

Platte River Watershed

Covering the northern part of Benzie County the Platte River Watershed contains over a dozen lakes, includes the villages of Lake Ann and Honor and flows through the Platte River State Fish Hatchery and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore. Find out more and view the Platte River watershed plan.

Betsie River and Crystal Lake Watershed

This watershed is home to the Betsie River, a State Designated Natural River, and Benzie's largest lake. Benzie's largest watershed covers some of the county's most remote and most developed regions. Find out more and view the Betsie River and Crystal Lake watershed plan.

Herring Lakes Watershed

The Herring Lakes Watershed lays almost entirely in the southwest corner of Benzie County. This watershed has a bit of everything that is "Benzie County." Find out more and view the Herring Lakes watershed plan.