Benzie Conservation District
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Platte River Watershed

About the watershed

The Platte River watershed is comprised of several connected river and lake  segments surrounded large areas of contiguous forestland with isolated kettle  lakes.  The hydrology of the Platte River is relatively stable due to the deep glacial  outwash deposits of permeable soils that promote infiltration and movement of  the groundwater to create consistent and stable base flow throughout the year. 

The Platte River is recognized as one of Michigan’s Blue Ribbon Trout Streams.  The Platte is a hydraulically stable river system and its gradient is approximately 5 feet per mile, thus hinting at the root of its name, “plat” being the French word for “level or flat.”  The Platte River Watershed covers 193 square miles and the river valley is 14 miles long, with a total of 90.5 miles of river and connecting streams. 

Much of the Platte River watershed drains areas located in the northern half of  Benzie County, MI.  Although it is the smallest county in the state,  it is currently ranked as the third fastest in growth (Benzie County Open Space  and Natural Resource Protection Plan‐ BCOSNRPP).  Population growth in upper  watershed areas of Grand Traverse County is projected to increase significantly by  2020. The growing population is predicted to convert 36% of the current forested  areas into residential, commercial and industrial land use (Long Lake Watershed  Management Plan, 2009). Thus, although significant measures to control point  sources from the Platte River State Fish Hatchery have been attained, the Platte  River and Big Platte Lake are under pressure projected increases in from nonpoint nutrient and sediment loads throughout the watershed.

​A variety of partners work on conservation-based projects in the watershed, including Conservation Resource Alliance, Benzie Conservation District, Platte Lake Improvement Association, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and other state, federal and private entities.

Platte River Watershed Links

Platte River Watershed Management Plan
Platte Lake Improvement Association
Little Platte lake Association
Ann Lake Property Owners Association
​
Conservation Resource Alliance Platte River Page
​Big Platte Lake DNR Fishery Report (2010) 
Platte River USGS gauge station

Location

Contact us

By Phone
231.882.4391

By Email
info@benziecd.org

By Mail
280 Benzie Boulevard
POB 408
Beulah, MI 49617

Contact individual staff members

​

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  • Home
    • Events
  • About
    • Annual Reports
    • Benzie Natural Resource Assessment
    • BCD Policies
    • Board Directors & Meetings
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Volunteer
    • Links
    • Contact Us
  • Aquatic Invasive Species
    • AIS Events
    • AISPP Resources
  • Programs & Services
    • Critical Dunes
    • District Shorts: Video Series
    • Education & Outreach >
      • Beach Clean Ups
      • Benzie: Plastic Awareness Collective
      • District Readers
      • EARTH DAY
      • Leave No Trace/Salmon in the Classroom
      • Nature Hikes
    • Forestry Assistance Program >
      • ATREP
      • FAP Form
      • Forestry Education & Media
      • Forestry Events
      • Forest Pests & Diseases
      • Forestry Referrals
    • Invasive Species
    • Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
    • Natural Resources Conservation Services
    • Produce Safety
    • Seedling Sales
  • SEEDLING SALES
  • Benzie Waters
    • Benzie Watersheds Coalition
    • Platte and Betsie River Clean Sweeps
    • Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program
    • Watersheds
  • Store
    • Shipping Policy
  • Donations