Water Quality Monitoring

Arcadia Creek

Dry weather total phosphorus loading through downstream City of Kalamazoo areas is notable; especially downstream of the Arcadia Creek Festival Site (Stretch #16).
Wet weather total phosphorus concentrations are elevated in upper reaches (Stretch #'s 1-8; these concentrations triple in downstream urban areas (Stretch #'s 9-16). Flows increase in a similar manner.
Summary: - Upstream areas (above the downtown channel): Drainage area requires storm water management including flow reductions and flood plain expansion, corridor improvements also needed due to severe streambank erosion and poor riparian management - Downstream areas: Illicit connections, storm water management improvements needed.

Axtell Creek

Baseline dry weather upstream total phosphorus concentrations are elevated compared to other creeks.
High dry weather total phosphorus concentrations are noted immediately above Crosstown Ponds.
Substantial total phosphorus and total suspended solid wet weather loads enter the creeks above the Crosstown Ponds
Ponds appear to generally serve as 'sinks' of phosphorus and solids.
Summary: - Upstream (headwater) areas: Illicit connections are a concern; improved riparian management needed - Downstream areas: Storm water management improvements needed; improved riparian and storm water management and capacity of Crosstown Ponds needed.

Portage Creek

Temperature increases associated with Pharmacia cooling water discharge have generally been mitigated with partial diversion of the discharge away from the creek in Stretch #9
Low dissolved oxygen levels are periodically noted in the Oakland Drive area (Stretch #2) associated with stagnant conditions and warmer temperatures
Residential, commercial and/or transportation activities at and above Centre Ave. (Stretch #5) contributing higher levels of wet and dry weather TP.
Schuring Drain, adjacent to the Consolidated Drain, (Stretch #8) is still a large contributor of total phosphorus and suspended solids during wet weather.
Milham Park (Stretch #10) consistently shows wet weather increase of total phosphorus and total suspended solids associated with storm water outfalls, sheet flow runoff and severe bank erosion.
Storm sewered sections of Portage Creek through the City of Kalamazoo are substantially impacted by storm water contributions.
Summary: - Upstream areas: Riparian area management needs; Schuring Drain discharge impacts - Midstream areas: Milham park BMPs needed to address loadings - Downstream areas: Urban storm water will require long-term management/improvements.

West Fork of Portage Creek

Good water quality observed through most of the stream reaches (Stretch #'s 1-7) until downstream reaches in commercial areas near S. Westnedge and Kilgore (Stretch #'s 8 & 9) where notable wet weather increases in total phosphorus and total suspended solids are observed.
Some wet weather increases in total phosphorus noted near Oakland Drive.
Wet weather flow increases notable in downstream commercial areas from storm sewer inflows.
Summary: - Upstream areas: Improved riparian management; some localized storm water management needed at road crossings - Downstream-most areas: Wet weather flow/load reductions needed through BMPs, structural controls and riparian improvements.