Natural Features of the P/A Watershed

--Invertebrate Data:

Terrestrial Invertebrates:

A 1999 natural features inventory of "The Groves", a technology park of Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Texas Township, conducted by the Kalamazoo Nature Center documented the presence of:

Source: Powless, D. A Pre-Development Natural Features Inventory and Habitat Enhancement Plan for "The Groves": A 248-Acre Education, Business and Technology Park of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Texas Township. Kalamazoo Nature Center Research Department. 1999.

Data from the Western Michigan University Asylum Lake Preserve is at:
http://www.wmich.edu/asylumlake/natural/knc/bfliestable.html
http://www.wmich.edu/asylumlake/natural/knc/odonatatable.html

Aquatic Invertebrates:

In June of 2000, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) conducted a biological survey of six stations in Portage Creek. "The objective of the study was to qualitatively characterize the biotic integrity of macroinvertebrate communities with respect to existing habitat conditions at sites throughout the watershed" (MDEQ, 2000). The study noted that a 1993 survey had revealed that the macroinvertebrate communities were moderately impaired, and the fish community was meeting its coldwater designation.

This study found that the macroinvertebrate communities at each site rated as "acceptable". The biota found at each station were similar in abundance and diversity. The habitat matrices were also consistently scored in the fair range, due to the presence of sand and silt substrates. Prior dredging has straightened the creek and removed meanders and riffle/pool sequences. Natural regrowth of vegetation is slowly remediating this situation. However, riparian residents continue to mow and remove riparian vegetation, slowing the restoration.

The following stations were monitored for aquatic invertebrates:

• Station 2: Portage Creek at Vine Street, Kalamazoo
• Station 3: Portage Creek at Romence Road, Portage
• Station 4: Portage Creek at Garden Lane, Portage
• Station 5: Portage Creek at Centre Avenue, Portage
• Station 6: Portage Creek at Oakland Drive, Portage
• Station 7: Consolidated Drain at Garden Lane, Portage

Note: Station 1, at Pitcher Street in Kalamazoo, was only evaluated for water quality parameters. Although Station 1 is not discussed on this web page, the original report's station numbering system is used here.

The results of the invertebrate sampling follow:

Source: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Surface Water Quality Division. Staff Report: A Biological Survey of Portage Creek, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. MI/DEQ/SWQ-01/051. June, 2000.