General background on the approach used for this process and information on the Portage 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 10 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. Overall, efforts are directed to protect areas scoring high and to implement actions that will raise future scores of those areas that score lower. Lower scored stretches tend to contribute greater loads of nutrients and sediments to the creek. Participants agreed that allowing degredation of the beneficial aspects of higher scoring stretches and then attempting restoration of those stretches would be extremely costly. Rather, maintaining all high quality stretches will provide the community with the best return on any investments made.

Discussions focused not only upon stream corridor conditions, but also on any upland opportunities that would reduce direct stormwater contributions to the creek. With Portage Creek flowing through three municipalities (Texas Township and the Cities of Portage and Kalamazoo) communication and coordination of efforts for implementation of selected actions will be a significant requirement for success.

The Stretch Property Summaries Table describes each stretch by number, location, description and score. Scoring revealed a general trend of higher scores within the upper reaches and lower scores toward the middle sections and mouth, e.g., in the South Westnedge Avenue Commercial Corridor, at Milham Park and in Downtown Kalamazoo. Ten of the eighteen stretches scored sixteen or lower. Low scores were primarily due to litter, erosion and a close proximity of development (resulting in little or no riparian zone). Stretches with higher scores include parks and areas isolated from current development. Other noted impairments include flooding due to large stormwater inputs near Upjohn Park in Downtown Kalamazoo and sediment contamination from PCBs at the Bryant Mill Pond and the former Portage Paper plant.

Numbers in the following discussion summary correspond to the same stream segment numbers found in the stretch 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 Portage Creek Virtual Tour for additional supportive information on flow path and the locations described in the following text.

Stretch #1 (30 points)

Description
This protected stretch runs through portions of the Gourdneck State Game Area. The maximum score possible was achieved for this stretch due to low development impacts, an isolated nature, undisturbed riparian vegetation and protected lands within the Game Area.

Impacts
Total phosphorus measurements were elevated at Angling Road during some wet weather sampling events. This is expected as higher flows can flush sediments and nutrients out of the wetland area upstream.

Recommendations
Future land use planning should continue to protect these properties, restrict development in the floodplain and require on-site storm water retention for new developments.

Stretch #2 (16 points)

Description
Portage Creek flows along the southern border of the Oakland Hills Golf Course, under Oakland Drive and past residential properties.

Impacts
All riparian vegetation has been removed along the north bank, while the southern bank remains relatively undisturbed. Stream sediment quality is poor, having a high organic content. Nutrient loading is expected to be from golf course runoff. Trash debris and litter enters the creek from Oakland Drive traffic.

Recommendations
Reestablish riparian buffers, remove sediment from the Oakland Drive culvert and potentially change the greenscaping practices at the golf course.

Stretches #3 and #4 (average score: 25.5 points)

Description
Portage Creek flows along the south side of Dogwood Trail, a residential road off Centre Avenue. A large wetland, which does not appear to have a surface connection to the creek, is located on both sides of Oakland Drive, south of Centre Avenue. In the evaluation the watercourse was split into two stretches due to slight changes in residential landscaping practices from the west end to the east end of Dogwood Trail; yards were closer to the creek at the east end. However, both stretches will be summarized together in the following discussion.

Impacts
As in Stretch #2, the southern bank of the creek contains mature deciduous vegetation and is relatively undisturbed. The northern bank near the west end of Dogwood Trail contains wooded vegetation, as homes were not constructed close to the water (at least not by current water level conditions). The east end tends to have more open lawn character, and hence less shading.

Recommendations

• preservation of the large wetland along Oakland Drive,
• riparian homeowner education on creek stewardship, and
• continued use of land use planning to restrict stormwater discharges from new developments to the creek.

Stretch #5 (15 points)

Description
Stretch #5 begins at the end of Dogwood Trail and ends upstream of the City of Portage Police Station. Herbaceous wetland areas were noted to the south of Centre Avenue, and wooded riparian areas adjoined the creek to the north of Centre Avenue. The creek flows through a residential yard on the south side of Centre Avenue, where it is channelized and the banks are mown.

Impacts

• a large site of erosion on the downstream side of the Centre Avenue culvert,
• steep banks downstream of Centre Avenue,
• channelized conditions, small ponds with high algal contents and lack of riparian vegetation in a residential property on Centre Avenue,
• developments in close proximity to the water course, and
• litter inputs from Centre Avenue.

Recommendations

• structural erosion control at the Centre Avenue culvert,
• enhanced management of stormwater (reduce runoff) from commercial properties along the creek,
• riparian owner education, and
• ordinances protecting existing and planted riparian vegetation (buffer strips).

Stretch #6 (25 points)

Description
Portage Creek flows along the west border of the City of Portage Police Station and band shell before entering a culvert under South Westnedge Avenue. The lower half of the stretch underwent a trout restoration project approximately five years ago (1997-99). Flow was increased by deepening and narrowing the channel. Riffles were created through the addition of rocks and a cobble substrate. Undercuts were created and stabilized to enhance trout habitat. A sand trap was also installed. Large mature trees and shrubs overhang the stream, providing shade and keeping the water cool.

Impacts
The upper half of this stretch runs adjacent to a mowed lawn, exhibiting erosive conditions. Erosion is also occurring from the back of the band shell and in a long gully near the lower end of the stretch.

Recommendations
This positive attribute of the creek should be protected, extended and utilized for education. The erosion behind the band shell and from the gully should be repaired and planted with native vegetation.

Stretch #7 (11 points)

Description
Portage Creek flows under South Westnedge Avenue and continues in a northeasterly direction behind several commercial developments.

Impacts
This is the lowest scoring stretch thus far, and deviates from the expected trend of the lowest scores being at the downstream end. The creek is severely impacted by extremely close development on both banks. The heavily impervious immediate watershed of this stretch is composed of portions of the South Westnedge Avenue Commercial Corridor. Significant litter inputs and erosion impact the stream in this stretch. There is virtually no riparian buffer zone and no empty land for elevated flows to enter a floodplain. Heaviest impacts were observed at the South Westnedge Avenue culvert, where the parking lot and building from the properties on the west and east sides of the creek, respectively, are very close to falling into the water. Moving downstream, the banks flatten slightly, and development is located further from the water's edge. However, vegetation is sparse, litter can be found spilling out of trash receptacles and moving toward the water and eroding bank conditions are present.

Recommendations
Preservation of existing riparian buffers is recommended. Although recommended for all creek stretches, a need for an ordinance requiring creation and/or maintenance of buffers is especially evident in this stretch. Recommendations also call for enforcement of current ordinances regarding trash and litter, future reductions of impervious conditions on adjacent properties and restoration of streambanks for erosion control and stabilization.

Stretch #8 (23 points)

Description
Development moves back, away from the creek banks, in this stretch with the exception of an office suite at Garden Lane, where the banks are mown and waterfowl are fed by office staff. Railroad tracks lie in close proximity to the east bank of the creek. The Consolidated Drain was recently reconstructed into a multi-stage, biological, storm water treatment system. With its paved trails, educational stations and rest stops, it is part of the City of Portage Trailways complex. Both treated water from this system and untreated storm water (and groundwater baseflow) from the Schuring Drain, converge with Portage Creek at Garden Lane. The now-protected land use in the area makes it unlikely that future development will be located close to the creek. Additionally, the stretch is located just upstream of the City of Portage Bicentennial Park trail.

Impacts
Pollutant loading from the Schuring Drain during wet weather events creates pollutant, as well as physical, impairments to Portage Creek. Vermiculite and marl have been observed flowing from the Schuring Drain to Portage Creek during wet weather events. Additionally, a lack of trees along this stretch contributes to water temperature increases during the summer months. One of the creek's designated uses is a cold-water fishery, and trout are stocked upstream of this stretch.

Recommendations

• promote the accessible educational aspects as a demonstration project to the community,
• extend preservation and restoration techniques (stream bottom and buffer vegetation) upstream to this stretch,
• maintain and enhance as a cold water habitat,
• better manage runoff from greenhouse operations on Garden Lane and along the Schuring Drain, and
• reduce sediment and nutrient loading from the Schuring Drain to Portage Creek.

Stretch #9 (28 points)

Description
The City of Portage Bicentennial Park trail parallels the west bank of Portage Creek from the Celery Flats (Garden Lane area) to Kilgore Road. It allows low-impact recreational access to the creek. The trail is separated from the water by herbaceous and wooded wetland areas in many areas. Boardwalks and observation decks provide access to the water. Near Romence Road and the Celery Flats, the trail runs close to the water, but a riparian buffer remains. A canoe livery is located just downstream from the Celery Flats. Large woody debris provides fish and invertebrate habitat and bank protection. The east bank of the creek is bordered by commercial properties along Lovers Lane. However, most of these properties are separated from the creek by wetland areas.

Impacts
Some exotic species, such as purple loosestrife, have been observed. A cooling water discharge from the Pharmacia property on Romence Road is the only permitted NPDES discharge in the watershed. The primary contribution to the creek from this discharge is elevated water temperature.

Recommendations
The Bicentennial Park trail presents a good model of riparian protection within a largely commercial zone. The area is and should be promoted as a positive example of watershed stewardship. The relatively isolated, natural recreational experience that is created for users of the trail, along with a refuge for wildlife, should be preserved and enhanced. Invasive vegetation management and planting of appropriate native species is recommended. Land use planning efforts should ensure that any development along the east bank (along Lovers Lane) allows the riparian buffer to remain. (An office development at Milham Road has already been located more closely to the creek banks than might be recommended for future developments.) Since this stretch is used for navigation and recreation, both upstream activities and those within this reach should not conflict with such uses. It is noted that an extension of these activities further downstream has been proposed. Therefore, no actions taken within this stretch should conflict with such future downstream uses.

Stretch #10 (10 points)

Description
Portage Creek flows from the City of Portage into the City of Kalamazoo at Kilgore Road and under Lovers Lane twice. A horseshoe shape is formed as the stream flows through the City of Kalamazoo's Milham Park. This historical park is a well-known, well-used feature of the city and is considered a significant amenity by multiple generations in the community. The park represents a publicly owned site with a lower score, sandwiched by two high scoring, preserved stretches: Bicentennial Park trail and Blanche Hull Preserve.

Impacts
Milham Park has not been managed with water quality in mind. The southern and eastern areas of the park unnaturally support excessive waterfowl populations, encouraged by visitors who delight in feeding them. Storm water loading contributes to considerable bank erosion, at times delivered by overland flow from Loy Norrix High School on the south side of Kilgore Road. The relatively steep slopes of the Milham Golf Course, a municipal course, abut eastern and northern portions of the creek. Storm water overland flow, potentially delivering fertilizer runoff, is a concern. The northern and western areas of the park are not as severely trafficked or impacted by visitors, since they have fewer amenities. However, stream banks throughout these areas were found to have very little or no riparian vegetation.

Recommendations

• spot soil testing at both the park and the golf course to encourage the use of low or no-phosphorus fertilizers for lawn maintenance (if not already in effect),
• educational signage located within the park,
• grading of stream banks to eliminate bare soils and erosive conditions,
• demonstration project for revegetation with native plantings along park streambanks,
• discourage excessive populations of waterfowl from inhabiting the school and park, through visitor education and riparian barriers (vegetative, or structural while vegetation is becoming established), and
• a stormwater retention demonstration project to increase infiltration using techniques such as rain gardens and pervious paving approaches at Loy Norrix High School.

Stretch #11 (24 points)

Description
The West Fork converges with Portage Creek, on the west side of Lovers Lane, in the Blanche Hull Preserve, where habitat quality is high.

Impacts
Impacts in this stretch are from three storm sewer discharges and railroad trestles. The watercourse widens into a ponded area, the Monarch Mill Pond. This is an older impoundment created by a dam to the south of Cork Street. Here, shallow water conditions can be linked to a rise in water temperatures. A wide riparian zone exists on the west side between the water's edge and the railroad tracks. Some residential properties are located in close proximity to the east bank.

Recommendations
As much of the area is preserved, the recommendation is to restrict any additional storm water discharges into this stretch. City of Kalamazoo plans call for a pedestrian trail to be extended from the City of Portage Bicentennial Park through this stretch and further into the downtown area. All construction activities must aim to minimize impacts on the creek and maintain existing native vegetation.

Current development through this reach is considered low density. The pond itself appears to provide good habitat attributes. Management within the stretch should include:

• preservation of buffers and vegetated edges,
• signage along trail when it is developed,
• removal of exotic plant species,
• zoning restrictions on future development in riparian areas,
• restrictions on additional stormwater discharges to the creek in this stretch, and
• future use of on-site stormwater detention/retention, grassed swales or other BMP techniques to improve stormwater quality.

Stretch #12 (21 points)

Description
Stretch #12 is comprised of the Allied Paper Operable Unit Superfund Site. The entire block, from Cork Street north to Alcott Street, is fenced due to ongoing remediation.

Impacts
The Portage Creek segment from the Bryant Mill Pond to the Kalamazoo River and the Kalamazoo River itself are listed on the Superfund National Priorities List for PCB contamination in the sediments. These PCBs remain from activities of the paper industry. Although the stretch received a considerably high score for the physical parameters analyzed it is not considered a high quality habitat.

Recommendations
There are no recommendations for this stretch due to its nature as a Superfund site and the approximate $7 million already spent on clean up and restoration efforts.

Stretch #13 (8 points)

Description
In Stretch #13, Portage Creek flows from Alcott Street, through the former Portage Paper factory, along Reed Court, to Stockbridge Street, primarily through underground culverts and concrete channels.

Impacts
Very little natural character remains in this stretch. The former Portage Paper property is slated for demolition as part of the City of Kalamazoo's Brownfield Redevelopment program. Contaminants present in the soils would make remediation of a floodplain problematic. The downstream portion of the stretch has urban residential development very close, with Reed Court literally forming the east bank.

Recommendations
Though this stretch scores very low, there appear to be some opportunities for remediation. Any development on the former Portage Paper property will likely be unable to manage storm water through infiltration, as the soils are contaminated. Recommendations for this stretch include education for those living in the area to foster their stewardship of the creek and investigation of potential storm water detention to be constructed as part of the mill demolition and clean up.

Stretches #14 and #15 (13.5 average points)

Description
Extending from Stockbridge Street to Crosstown Parkway, this stretch borders the City of Kalamazoo Public Works property and Upjohn Park. Axtell Creek converges with Portage Creek just upstream of Crosstown Parkway. A thin riparian zone of deciduous trees and shrub vegetation shades the watercourse.

Impacts
Banks are largely composed of concrete and fill material. Flooding occurs in this area, as the surrounding land use becomes increasingly urban and impervious with increased storm water volumes discharged to the creek.

Recommendations
Restore floodplain areas on the southwest corner of the convergence of Axtell and Portage Creek. Care should be taken to maintain riparian buffers. Parking areas may be able to be moved back from the creek banks at the City of Kalamazoo property. The City of Kalamazoo is now in the process of exploring:

• stormwater handling options for the Stockbridge Street City Works Department property,
• the creation of a wetland between Stockbridge Street and Crosstown Parkway, and
• the redevelopment of Upjohn Park.

A significant obstacle encountered in this area is the high water table. Infiltration and treatment options are severely limited under such conditions. Any future additional stormwater flows should be restricted to on-site handling techniques or directed toward retention areas, possibly south of Upjohn Park. Educational signage could be placed in Upjohn Park along the creek banks as part of the renovation project.

Stretches #16, #17 and #18 (8.8 average points)

Description
These last three stretches flow from Crosstown Parkway to the creek's convergence with the Kalamazoo River, just north of M43.

Impacts
Banks are largely composed of concrete walls, rock gabions and fill material. Habitat quality is generally poor, with invasive and exotic plant species dominant. Existing development is in very close proximity to the watercourse in some areas. Storm water loading is significant, with several parking areas directing runoff to "sluices" leading directly into the creek.

Recommendations
At the convergence of Portage Creek with the Kalamazoo River, riparian vegetation could be enhanced. The Veterans Memorial Park was recently constructed at this confluence and could serve as a stimulus for further restorative work. The primary recommendation for these stretches is to manage storm water within the watershed by increasing on-site handling capacity and decreasing wet weather loading to the creek. Creation and enhancement of small-scale habitats located on public and private properties is also recommended. This includes native plantings in residential, public and commercial landscaping, as encouraged by the local chapter of the WildOnes Native Landscapers.

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