Axtell Creek Sites for Action

General background on the approach used for this process and information on the Axtell Creek subwatershed can be found in the Watershed Management Plan (WMP) Overview and on the Scoring Table webpage. This site selection process started with a review of the scoring results for the stream corridor of the creek. Scoring was based upon ten physical, observable parameters with a ranking of 0-3 for each, resulting in a maximum of 30 total points for each stretch. High scores were reflective of "good" conditions. Discussions focused not only upon these stream corridor conditions, but also on any upland opportunities that would reduce direct stormwater contributions to the creek. Periodic flood damage at the Crosstown Ponds provides incentive for upland approaches that reduce stormwater volumes reaching this area.

Consideration of suitable BMP options for conditions at sites of concern included consideration of: the greatest community benefit and a "maximum return" on any investment in improvements. Five of the 6 numbered sites scored below 20. The Stretch Property Summaries Table, provides each stretch by: number, location, description and score. In the approach used below, site numbers run sequentially from the source of the watercourse to the mouth of the creek. Numbers in the following discussion summaries correspond to the same stream segment numbers found in the summaries table. The BMP Implementation Table (PDF format, will open in new browser window) provides a summary of proposed BMPs for each stretch and their associated costs. (Links within that table provide additional cost information for selected stretches). Please refer to the Axtell Creek Subwatershed Virtual Tour for additional supportive information on flow path and locations described in the following text.

Axtell Creek has distinct section characteristics: the upper, headwaters reaches are in what technically is termed a lotic (flowing water) condition (stretches 1-4), while the lower reaches are in more of a lentic (standing water) condition (stretches 5-6).

Description
A very high score resulted for this stretch, as it is comprised of the City of Kalamazoo Well Field #4, which is protected from development. Wooded wetlands and open water dominate the stretch. Artesian flows and pressure relief flows from City well heads contribute to the base flow of the creek. The area is surrounded by higher elevations with medium-density commercial and residential development. Mapped natural areas, including the Kleinstuck Preserve, are in close proximity to this stretch.

Impacts
This stretch is currently impacted by two stormwater outfalls and an apparent illicit discharge of swimming pool water. The area has considerable invasive plant species present, and should be managed as a unique natural feature in an urban setting. Surface and some bank erosion within the site may be contributing to the need for sediment removal from the culvert under Maple Street which appears to have restricted flow.

Recommendations
It has been recognized as a protection goal of this plan to provide both wetland and wellhead protection for the headwaters from any sources of potential or actual contamination.

Description
The creek flows along Crosstown Parkway and the Maple Street School ball fields from Maple Street to Howard Street in Stretch #2.

Impacts
The original channel has been altered as evident by old aerial photographs and the current 90-degree bend at the corner of Crosstown Parkway and Maple Street. Virtually no natural meanders remain in this reach. Close proximity of the channel to Crosstown Parkway, in this and the remaining stretches, allows litter, debris, oils and soils to enter the watercourse. The area has limited riparian vegetation, which has been slightly impacted by fence reconstruction operations at Maple Street School. Bank erosion, slow flow rates and natural vegetative decay have contributed sediment and nutrients that, over time, created an organic-rich, thick substrate with little cobble or gravel. However, fish have been observed in this stretch.

Recommendations
The Girls Scouts of Southwest Michigan have recently purchased an adjacent property (on the east side of Crosstown Parkway and south of Maple Street), which is proposed to be utilized for hiking and nature education. Collaboration with their activities in order to maintain and/or enhance all possible local green space is recommended.

The Maple Street School football field is scheduled for rebuilding in 2003 with bond monies already set aside. Use of excavated soil from on-site (the wetland area) would reduce costs by not needing to import soils. This replacement operation has turned into an excellent restoration opportunity as described below.

It is recommended that the stream course be restored to a moderate, natural meander and include a created wetlands component from the middle area of the reach to Howard Street. A portion of the ball field near the creek has always caused a maintenance problem because it usually wet. The proposed created wetland, restorative plantings and educational features are welcome additions from the perspectives expressed by the school principal, facilities manager and the superintendent. Agreed upon future meetings will move these activities forward to the implementation stage in 2003. Predominantly native vegetation, suitable to these conditions, should be used as planting materials. The City of Kalamazoo could restore some of this vegetation in the street right-of-way areas, especially the northwest corner of Howard Street and Crosstown Parkway. Plans will incorporate and encourage middle school student involvement in this educational restoration project and include materials for a self-guided tour of the creek.

Description
Passing under Howard Street, the creek flows northeast along the west side of Crosstown Parkway. This area is visible daily to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Impacts
Current landscaping practices along this stretch (mowing/trimming vegetation to the creek edge) do not allow any riparian vegetation to become established.

Recommendations
An educational component, such as the walking tour of urban stream stewardship alluded to in the previous stretch, should be included and continued in any restoration along this stretch. Most riparian landowners in this stretch are willing to institute changes. Currently the WildOnes and Kalamazoo Greenspaces are working with Benefiel et al., law offices to develop a multi-dimensional planting plan for the corner surrounding their offices. A City of Kalamazoo representative met with Crosstown Parkway Senior Apartments management to discuss an overall strategy for this segment and options for their participation. The walking tour would be a fine amenity for their residents to use. The WMP recommends creation of a coalition of committee members to assist apartment management and other riparian property owners to implement consistent improvements. Creation of an expanded floodplain from the law offices (Howard Street) to Paris Cleaners, even though relatively small in size, could become part of these restoration efforts.

Description
Stretch #4 consists of a small section along a paved parking area behind Paris Cleaners and an office building. Axtell Creek Park is located on the opposite bank. A narrow strip of wooded vegetation shades the water and provides some habitat.

Impacts
Several storm sewers (drains) empty into this area. Parking areas in riparian areas allow overland flow to contribute storm water directly to the creek, accelerating erosion.

Recommendations
Planting of understory vegetation and a diversion of parking lot storm water to detention areas (if space allows) may alleviate this situation. Infiltration swales and the elimination of "sluices" are recommended. Owners of the Paris Cleaners will need to be willing to address the recommended alterations. Upland educational efforts within the residential neighborhoods that contribute flow to these points will be undertaken to reduce the volume of storm water flowing to the creek. Areas suitable for grassed swales and other physical BMPs will continue through cooperative efforts between the committee, the city and the neighborhood.

Description
Stretch #5 encompasses the channel along the National City parking lot and the Crosstown Ponds.

Impacts
Severe erosion and development issues plague this stretch. The bank drive-thru/parking lot is on the verge of collapse due to the south creek bank eroding and undercutting this section. The lot is oversized for its current use based upon multiple observations of vehicles in the lot throughout different seasons and different times of the day. The north bank of the watercourse is similarly impacted. The banks of the south pond (most upstream of the three Crosstown Ponds) are severely eroded, as no vegetative buffer exists. Bank erosion from small but frequent fluctuating water levels, large storm water inputs and excessive waterfowl populations contribute high nutrient loads to this pond. Sediment retention capacity and limited storm water detention do still exist. (The south pond is shallow compared to the other two.) The city, as part of its current storm water infrastructure evaluation program expects to verify that sediments need to be dredged from the inlet and outlet of the pond.

Recommendations
The recommendation is to work with National City Bank (property owner) and evaluate if there may be a desire and room for cutting back the lot and installing vegetated detention swales and vegetative buffers. An extremely visible area, the park is surrounded by major thoroughfares and consistently high traffic volumes. The land use surrounding the ponds is a mixture of commercial, residential and park land. Recreational use of the park land is limited by excessive amounts of waterfowl droppings and, probably, degraded aesthetics. Restoration of the habitat quality of the area is expected to reduce waterfowl use, enhance aesthetics and increase the recreational value. Use of the area by the public and its visibility to traffic makes it an excellent candidate for urban watershed stewardship education. Additionally, as a gateway to the southern neighborhoods of Downtown Kalamazoo, it should serve as a showcase of the city's commitment to economic and environmental harmony. Following the release of a study of the ponds by Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (June 2002), and participation in this watershed management planning process, the city is moving forward with budget recommendations for the implementation of improvements, including additional BMPs in the area. These improvements began with a change in mowing operations to create a 5-10 foot wide "no-mow" zone around the banks of the south pond in June 2002.

The plan targets the south pond initially and leaves the other two ponds for future considerations. Recommended first steps include:

dredging the inlet and outlet of the south pond,
installing a sediment trap at the inlet,
reshaping/regrading the banks,
instituting a community-based replanting effort with native varieties of wet-edge and emergent vegetation around most of the pond, and
keeping one or two areas at the pond's water edge accessible to the public.

a long-term recommendation to construct two simple elevated or floating structures for low impact public access to the water,
restrictions of nuisance waterfowl,
installation of signs as part of a community education effort,
turning the park into a key demonstration site, and
the development of a maintenance plan to routinely remove litter from all outlets, especially the outlet of the third pond, where it accumulates.

Periodic flooding in this location is associated with backflowing of water from Portage Creek and the lmited infiltration capacity of the three ponds and surrounding areas.

Description
Axtell Creek is piped underground for a considerable distance from the outlet of the third pond to the intersection of John Street and Crosstown Parkway. The watercourse then flows behind a City of Kalamazoo property to its convergence with Portage Creek at Upjohn Park. A narrow strip of mature trees lines the banks with some scrub vegetation as understory.

Impacts
Severe erosion was noted at the culvert where the creek emerges. Water clarity is poor, as this stretch appears to receive considerable nutrient and sediment loading from impervious land uses that dominate the drainage area. Flow is relatively stagnant during dry weather periods. During large storm events, flows from Portage Creek back up into Axtell Creek (photo 1), causing flooding, which extends to the Crosstown Ponds (photo 2).

Both photos taken August 22, 2001. Photo 1 looking from Upjohn Park south toward Portage Creek just downstream of the confluence with Axtell Creek. Crosstown Parkway
is on the right. Photo 2 is looking southeast across Park Street to the south pond.

Recommendations
Addressing storm water inputs and imperviousness in the lower reaches of Portage Creek and in the highly urbanized areas of the Axtell Creek Subwatershed is a priority. The area along the southeast corner of the convergence of the two creeks is proposed for a created wetlands project by the City of Kalamazoo. Recommendations are to: