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
The following are goals and projects completed by the Watershed Project over the past three years!
•Updated master plans to reflect water quality protection in all seven municipalities
•Riparian Overlay District Ordinance adopted by all seven municipalities within the Watershed
•Funnel Ordinance for water quality protection adopted by three municipalities
•How to use a Watershed Management Plan for Land Use Planning Document
•Water Quality Zoning in Review Document
•Municipality support for water quality improvements and protection
•Working relationship with local Planning Commissions and the Allegan Conservation District
The Project has also met the following education goals!
•Twelve Rabbit River Hoppinings Newsletters were produced and disseminated
•Watershed signage, including educational signs at BMP sites and road signs to reference the geographic boundaries of the watershed
•Permanent Student Stream Monitoring Program within the Allegan County Math and Science Center and the Allegan Conservation District
•The Watershed Project partnered with Monterey Township to disseminate a Land Use Planning Survey for Water Quality. Results were in full support of preserving water quality and in full support of land preservation.
•Live macro-invertebrate education display