Stormwater Management

Located just inland from Lake Michigan, Spring Lake Township and the Village of Spring Lake enjoy a picturesque waterfront setting adjacent to the seven-mile long Spring Lake. Yet this attractive location also poses challenges, particularly after heavy rains.

On these occasions, stormwater runoff carries pollutants into Spring Lake and its main tributary streams, Norris and Crockery creeks. It then flows downstream to the nearby Grand River and eventually into Lake Michigan, where it impairs nearshore water quality and threatens aquatic life.

With support from Michigan Sea Grant, Alan Steinman of Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute is leading an integrated assessment to investigate stormwater issues in Spring Lake Township, the Village of Spring Lake, and neighboring communities.

”Stormwater is quickly gaining recognition as one of the most important water quality problems in urbanizing landscapes,” says Steinman. “The Village of Spring Lake and Spring Lake Township are perfect laboratories for our integrated assessment.”

As increasing amounts of land are converted to buildings, roads, parking lots, roof tops, and driveways—also known as impervious surfaces—water that was once absorbed naturally into the soil now flows into storm drains, pipes and canals, and ultimately into nearby surface waters. Stormwater runoff increases pollutant loads and raises water temperatures, which adversely impact water quality and the health of fish and other aquatic life.

High levels of phosphorus are a particular problem. In the past, excess nutrients have resulted in algal blooms, including the potentially toxic cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) Microcystis, which some residents have called “green paint.” After the algae die off, they sink to the bottom and decompose, which can result in very low dissolved oxygen concentrations and potential fish kills.

In addition to phosphorus, stormwater runoff introduces other nutrients and nonpoint source pollutants including sediments, oil, metals, and road salts. Historically, these pollutants have resulted in the impairment of the waters of Spring Lake, the Grand River, and the nearshore areas of Lake Michigan. Beach closings, no-contact (to water) advisories, and lost recreational opportunities have become more common. In addition, notes Steinman, pressures associated with increasing development in the Spring Lake area have magnified the stormwater issue.

Despite these challenges, Steinman cites the wealth of existing environmental information about the region that will help researchers conduct the integrated assessment.

In addition, the IA will engage community residents to ensure that potential resource management options are realistic from
a practical and political standpoint. A series of public meetings will begin in March 2008.

Specific objectives of the integrated assessment are fourfold: 1) increase general knowledge among residents and decision-makers about stormwater issues in the community; 2) increase stewardship of local water resources; 3) identify inconsistencies between state regulations and/or local ordinances that can improve local stormwater management and control; and 4) provide a suite of alternative stormwater management Best Management Practices (BMPs) tailored to Spring Lake Township and the Village of Spring Lake.

“It is our hope that both our integrated assessment process, as well as the outcomes, will serve as a model for other communities experiencing similar problems,” says Steinman.

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