General background on the approach used for this process and information on the West Fork of 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 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. Efforts are directed to protect and maintain future high scores for areas currently scoring high and to implement actions that will raise the future scores of those areas that score lower now. Discussions focused not only upon these stream corridor conditions, but also on non-contributing (lake) areas and any upland opportunities that would reduce direct stormwater contributions to the creek. With the West Fork 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 significant for success.

The Stretch Property Summaries Table, provides each stretch by: number, location, description and score. Scoring revealed a general trend of higher scores within the upper reaches of the stream and lower scores toward the mouth, in the commercial South Westnedge Avenue/Kilgore Road area. Only 2 of the stretches scored lower than 15 while 7 of the 10 stretches scored 22 or higher. This was not surprising since the creek runs through primarily protected and undeveloped areas for most of its course. Near its mouth, it flows through the City of Portage South Westnedge Avenue Commercial Corridor and a small portion of urbanized property in the City of Kalamazoo before converging with Portage Creek in the Blanch Hull Preserve.

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 West Fork of Portage Creek Virtual Tour for additional supportive information on flow path and the locations described in the following text.

Within the non-contributing areas, outlying lands in agricultural use were identified as having potential concerns for groundwater impact. Extensive residential development around Eagle and Crooked Lakes potentially impacts the lakes by stormwater runoff, bank erosion and potential infiltration from any septic systems that may still be in use.

Stretch #1 (30 points)

Description
Stretch #1 begins on the east side of 8th Street at Fish Camp Pond and Scouters and Bass Lakes. Most of the land in Stretch #1 falls within the areas of the Rota-Kiwan Boy Scout Reservation and the City of Kalamazoo Al Sabo Well Field Preserve, both relatively protected tracts of woodlands, wetlands and upland fields. The Reservation has a high summer traffic volume from scouters in the weekly Cub and Boy Scout camp sessions. Al Sabo Preserve, open to the public, has many hiking/cycling trails running through the property.

Impacts
Newer residential developments, located west off of 8th Street in Texas Township, were noted to have individual septic systems, rather than a connection to the sanitary sewer system. This is identified as an area for the County Health Department to monitor for future failed septic systems, since this location is at the headwaters, in an otherwise minimally impacted area. Storm water runoff from the Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) Texas Township Campus was identified as having adverse impacts on the Al Sabo Preserve in the form of bank erosion, sedimentation and storm water loading.

Recommendations
KVCC should consider BMPs for retaining storm water on-site. Infiltration techniques, such as vegetative swales, detention areas, rain gardens and even pervious parking lot materials, can be implemented. It was also recommended that any future developments in the watershed utilize on-site techniques to handle all generated storm water. These upland options will reduce the storm water volumes reaching the creek and improve the quality of water discharged to the creek.

The Rota-Kiwan Boy Scout Reservation and the Al Sabo Preserve offer demonstration opportunities to implement passive education through self-guided tours and signage. Some erosion is occurring in both parcels. Rota-Kiwan is seeking funds to begin restoration efforts. Overall, the recommendations are for continued protection of the resources including Atwater Mill Pond. Long-term restoration and renovation efforts are directed toward select vegetation and erosion control efforts, where deemed necessary, and the retention of storm water from new developments in the watershed.

Stretch #2 (25 points)

Description
This segment runs northeasterly under 12th Street, behind residential developments, under Interstate 94 and US-131 and through a series of small lakes to the Parkview Hills Planned Unit Development. The reach is very isolated, flowing within a wooded valley with limited access, between both highways and separated from new development.

Impacts
Several small areas of gully erosion from road and stream crossings and private properties were identified.

Recommendations
Given these conditions, recommendations are more policy oriented, suggesting that both municipalities be cognizant of potential impacts from future land use and mandate on-site storm water handling for all future developments in this area. No sites were selected for specific actions.

Stretch #3 (22 points)

Description
Parkview Hills, a private planned unit development with protected greenspaces, is the dominant element of this reach. Upstream flows from the West Fork converge with flows emptying Asylum Lake from the north. This latter branch and surrounding property is owned by Western Michigan University (WMU). The area around Asylum Lake is designated as a protected area for WMU.

Impacts
Concerns over road runoff during and after the current expansion and reconstruction of Parkview Avenue were expressed to the City of Kalamazoo with the expectation that significant riparian management efforts will be implemented. Potential septic issues from the trailer park on Drake Road were also raised.

Recommendations
Within Parkview Hills, protect:

• all wetlands,
• an existing fen,
• a prairie restoration now underway and
• the native integrity of the property by controlling exotic species.

There are protective covenants in place within this development. Management plans have recently been prepared by the Kalamazoo Nature Center and KIESER & ASSOCIATES for Parkview Hills that call for:

• cleaning of catch-basins for road runoff,
• management of invasive species (in progress),
• reduction of sediment accumulation in waters,
• creation of transition zones from water's edge to mowed/paved areas (implement buffers strips),
• structural erosion control methods for the stormwater outlet at Cricket Lane and
• erosion control for personal gardens on slopes and hillsides.

Given the private nature of this parcel and the public nature of the Asylum Lake component flowing to it, it is strongly recommended that any and all proposed activities in these areas be openly discussed and mutually agreed upon by both WMU and Parkview Hills. The potential is great for joint educational components that would be beneficial to each and to the community at large. Education of city staff on erosion control measures should be mandatory for those who will be involved in activities in this vicinity. Continued protection and renovation of the upland areas surrounding the water bodies in this stretch will reduce the magnitude of storm water impacts on the creek and improve the quality of the water reaching the creek.

Stretch # 4 (16.5 points)

Description
This stretch extends from south of Parkview Hills to Oakland Drive. The creek splits into two branches, forms ponds around the Angling Road vicinity and exhibits good emergent vegetation west of Oakland Drive. There are many nice greenspaces within this reach, including the Nature's Way Preschool.

Impacts
Some residential property owners along Angling Road have eliminated the riparian vegetation. The score drops in this stretch due to lack of shading, erosion, number of storm sewer outfalls and lack of riparian vegetation on residential properties.

Recommendations

• educate residential property owners on riparian landscaping practices to protect water quality and habitats,
• utilize appropriate operation and management practices by city road crews to reduce runoff impacts from roadways,
• repair and eliminate soil erosion from around the Angling Road stormwater outfalls,
• reduce waterfowl access to stream through vegetative restoration practices,
• continue the effort to eliminate invasives and replace with native species, and
• ensure that educational policies are consistent between the Cities of Kalamazoo and Portage.

Stretches # 5, 6, 7 (average score of 25.33 points)

Description
These three segments are treated together here due to their similarities in scoring, features and consistencies. Beginning at Oakland Drive the creek flows to the end of Timberlane Road (Stretches #5 and #6), and continues (Stretch #7) along the south of City of Kalamazoo Well Field #9 to De Haan Road. High scores are the result of infiltration available in upland areas, quality in-stream conditions, woodland riparian vegetation in many sections, wetlands and floodplain areas, protected space within the well field and the wellhead protection program.

Impacts
Noted impacts include riparian properties with mowed lawns to the edge of the creek, runoff from I-94 reaching the creek and a pending, large development within the narrow parcel between the highway and the creek that could create a substantial reduction in floodplain area and existing vegetation that buffers and shades the creek.

Recommendations

• educate riparians on vegetative techniques to protect the water quality in the creek,
• maintain wellhead protection in and around the well field,
• ensure that any development will protect the creek and adjacent property by not eliminating all existing vegetation,
• insist that any new development either treat stormwater before it enters the creek, appropriately handle the stormwater on-site, or both, and
• only allow future development that maintains the high scores of these stretches.

Stretch # 8 (7 points)

Description
This creek stretch passes through and is affected by one of the increasingly urbanized areas of the City of Portage, as indicated by the low score.

Impacts
Though some natural vegetation remains along portions of the creek, cumulative threats to water quality have begun to mount. Recent commercial developments and their substantial impervious components, including West Fork Crossing Road, Bennigan's Restaurant, Gander Mountain Sports, Hooters Restaurant and Lowes Home Improvement Store, have added to the load contributed by the Meijer's superstore.

Recommendations

• work with Gander Mountain to protect the creek as a usable resource in their back yard (demonstrate fishing gear, etc.) and
• explore the potential for the installation of swales and rain garden-type structures to replace or reduce the reliance upon stormwater outlets.

Stretch #9 (9 points)

Description
The creek flows between a large parking lot and apartment buildings before traveling through residential properties on the north side of Pratt Road. It then crosses under Pratt Road and flows through the Candlewyk Apartments property. One of the positives of this stretch is that a single property owner is responsible for most of the riparian land. The Candlewyk Apartments management maintains an open channel for the creek and does not mow within these confines.

Impacts
There are many invasives among the riparian vegetation at the Candlewyk Apartments property. Along Pratt Road there are riparian management issues that need to be addressed through education. Erosion was noted near the Big Lots parking lot.

Recommendations
The grassed areas of Candlewyk Apartments provide an opportunity for infiltration. Existing erosion problems along parking lots, road crossings and outlets should be addressed in operations and maintenance practices. Assistance may be provided through small grants to help stimulate these actions. Creation of grassed swales, changes in mowing practices and road and parking lot sweeping practices would improve water quality in the creek. The parking lot in front of Big Lots, on Kilgore Road, presents an additional opportunity, even though the creek here is piped underground. Given the size of the lot and its limited usage, it is recommended that pervious areas for storm water infiltration, rather than direct discharge to the creek, be created.

Stretch #10 (27 points)

Description
The last stretch of the West Fork of Portage Creek flows through the City of Kalamazoo Blanche Hull Preserve. This former estate has both extensive upland areas for infiltration as well as tracts of wooded uplands, forested wetlands and floodplains. The substrate shows both rock and gravel. All these conditions contribute to the high scoring of this site.

Impacts
Realities of the site also include storm water contributions from both Burdick Street and Kilgore Road, erosion and litter inputs at the Burdick Street culvert and rail road crossings.

Recommendations
Maintain the high quality and character of the parcel and incorporate educational signage. The Portage Bicentennial Trail terminates at this location, where the West Fork merges with Portage Creek. The City of Kalamazoo has plans to continue a similar trail for biking and hiking from this point into the city. As this trail is developed, the physical and biological character of the creek must be considered. Opportunities will exist for education, vegetative restoration and alternative storm water handling techniques. All efforts should enhance the experiences of the users, improve characteristics of the vegetation and protect the creek's water quality.

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