PA319: Axtell Creek Watershed Description

The Axtell Creek Subwatershed lies entirely inside of the City of Kalamazoo. There are 1,519 acres in this subwatershed, located within the west-southwest portion of the city. Greater than half of these acres, including the areas surrounding Pikes Pond, Kleinstuck Marsh, Whites Lake and Woods Lake, contribute no surface water flow to the creek. The land uses of the drainage area are approximately 48% urban, 45% open space and forest, 4% water/wetlands and 3% agriculture. The artesian headwaters of Axtell Creek are found within the City of Kalamazoo Well Field #4, at the intersection of Maple Street and Crosstown Parkway. Pressure relief overflow from active wells provides a significant contribution to the base flow of the creek. Above the headwaters, there are 1.1 miles of storm sewers that collect and discharge storm water into the creek near the headwaters. The stream flows 1.24 miles from the well field through a channel along Crosstown Parkway to a series of large, shallow storm water detention ponds before discharging to Portage Creek. Over portions of its length, small sections of the creek are piped underground, especially under roadways. Most of the watershed is commercial with mowed parks surrounding the ponds. Additional contributions to flow are from the fountain at the intersection of Howard Street and Crosstown Parkway, the ponds at Crosstown Apartments and storm sewers outlets. The discharge point is located within Upjohn Park. Portage Creek ultimately discharges to the Kalamazoo River, approximately 1.75 miles beyond its confluence with Axtell Creek.