The Upper Rabbit River Watershed, located in rural Allegan, Barry, and Ottawa Counties encompasses 91,210 acres of agricultural, urban and forested land. The Upper Rabbit River Watershed is approximately 60 percent agricultural land. The Rabbit River originates east of Wayland, MI, in Leighton Township, and flows westerly to join the Kalamazoo River at New Richmond, which then flows on to Lake Michigan. The Rabbit River is a State Designated Trout Stream, as are several of its tributaries. Very few rivers in southwestern Michigan are designated trout streams, making the Rabbit River a unique resource in our area.
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
One of the newest improvements at the Dorr Township Park is a bio-retention basin or rain garden, located at the northern ball field. This basin controls surface water runoff from the ball park and the surrounding area as well as provides a viewing area for Michigan Native Plant Species.
We also completed a streambank restoration project just north of the 142nd street culvert. This site has lost more then 20 yards of sediment over the past year and is threatening to undermine the boardwalk along the river. We utilized native plants and bio-engineering practices to reduce the erosion at this site.
Pollutant Load Reductions
Sediment: 5.4 tons/ac
Phosphorous: 5.36lbs
Nitrogen: 11.85lbs