What is a watershed?
A watershed is another word for a river basin. It's an area of land that catches rain or snow melt and drains it to a common stream, river or lake. We all live in a watershed!

Which watershed do you live in?
Ever wonder where all that rain and melting snow goes when it washes down a parking lot drain or into a ditch? In St. Clair County it flows in one of seven different watersheds. Find where you live or work on the map. (Click to enlarge). This is where your local creek, stream, ditch or neighborhood storm drain flows to.
Black River
Lake Huron
St. Clair River
Mill Creek
Pine River
Belle River
Anchor Bay

Consider this...
The condition of our rivers and tributaries varies dramatically, from over-fertilization in residential areas to failing septic systems in rural areas to heavy storm water flows from development in suburban areas to erosion in agricultural areas. Where does water go when it leaves your property? Is there anything that could wash off your property that you wouldn't want in a stream or lake? How do people use the water once it leaves your property?

How does a watershed work?
A watershed has a shape like a bowl. All the water that falls or flows within a watershed drains to the lowest point. When it rains, water runs off many different areas of the watershed and flows down towards a main body of water. This runoff is called stormwater.
Stormwater running off yards, roads, rooftops, parking lots and fields flows into our waterways, carrying with it fertilizers, pesticides, oils, metals, pet waste and other pollutants.This untreated water flows directly to the water we use for drinking, swimming and fishing.

Watershed Planning
In 2003, the United States Environmental Protection Agency mandated that St. Clair County and seventeen communities work together to address storm water quality in our watersheds. These entities are currently working together to outline the actions they must take to meet the regulations and improve the quality of our rivers, lakes and streams. Watershed planning brings together residents within the watershed to address water quality issues, regardless of political boundaries. By working together, individuals and government agencies can identify cost-effective solutions. This planning process is called Watershed Planning because the actions must be taken across an entire watershed in order for water quality to improve.

You can help!
Your municipality and St. Clair County want to hear your concerns and suggestions regarding the water quality problems you see and the actions you feel should be taken to solve them. Often, the best information we receive about water quality problems is from residents who live along a river, stream, creek, ditch or drain. Send your concerns directly to us.
Call (810) 987-5306
Email watersheds@stclaircounty.org
Visit our website regularly for updates.
Attend a public meeting - notices will be posted at your municipality's office, and on our website.
Join our mailing list to recieve a newsletter and meeting notices.