Gun River Watershed Project
The Gun River Watershed (Watershed) encompasses an area of 73,272 acres in Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan. The Gun River flows from Gun Lake through agricultural land into the urbanizing area of Otsego Township, Allegan County, where it joins the Kalamazoo River.
Categories
Primary Contact
Shawn McKenney
Project Manager
Rabbit/Gun River Watershed Projects
Allegan Conservation District
1668 Lincoln Road
Allegan, MI 49010
Ph 269-673-8965 ext. 3
Ph 269-673-9671
Riparian Buffer Strip Project
The Gun River Watershed Project will be installing a riparian 
buffer strip in Gun Plain Township on the Gun River in Spring 2007. What are buffer strips? Glad you asked!
Buffer Strips slow water runoff, trap sediment, and enhance infiltration within the buffer. Buffers also trap fertilizers, pesticides, pathogens, and heavy metals, and they help trap snow and cut down on blowing soil in areas with strong winds. In addition, they protect livestock and wildlife from harsh weather and buildings from wind damage. If properly installed and maintained, they have the capacity to:
- Remove up to 50 percent or more of nutrients and pesticides.
- Remove up to 60 percent or more of certain pathogens.
- Remove up to 75 percent or more of sediment.
Buffer strips are a source of food, nesting cover, and shelter for many wildlife species. Buffers also provide connecting corridors that enable wildlife to move safely from one habitat area to another.
Buffer strips help stabilize a stream and reduce its water temperature. Buffers also offer a setback distance for agricultural chemical use from water sources.
For more information on the benefits of buffer strips