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Volunteer Stream Monitoring - MiCorps
Join us each spring and fall as we partner with the professionals at Van Buren Conservation District to sample for aquatic macroinvertebrates (insects and insect larvae) in the Paw Paw and Black River Watersheds. As a group, these aquatic insects serve as indicator species helping us measure the health of these rivers. It is also, just fun to get your feet wet and explore the rivers up and close with like-minded community scientists.
Following statewide procedures developed by Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), we will measure the rivers health and add to the statewide database year after year to monitor long-term trends. This allows us to make informed decisions based on good quality data benchmarked across the state.
No experience necessary. Learn more with through the VBCD StoryMap.
Tentative Sampling Dates: Spring- first Sunday in May, Fall- first Sunday in October. Check Calendar for dates.
Follow TRC and/or Van Buren Conservation District on Facebook for specific details.
Water Quality Map:
The map shows monitoring sites with color coding for the last water quality ranking. Select waypoints to see more details.
Water Quality Rating Color Key: Excellent = Blue, Good = Green, Fair = Yellow, Poor = Red
MiCorps Summary Table:
Updated:
4/8/25
Survey Results: Water Quality Ranking
Stream Site
Watershed
First Survey
Last Survey
Survey Count
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Last Score
Brandywine Creek
Paw Paw
Fall 2015
Fall 2022
7
0
2
5
0
Fair
Brush Creek
Paw Paw
Fall 2015
Fall 2022
10
2
3
5
0
Poor
Eagle Lake Drain
Paw Paw
Fall 2015
Spring 2024
12
1
6
4
1
Good
Eastman Creek
Black
Fall 2015
Fall 2022
9
0
6
3
0
Fair
Mill Creek
Paw Paw
Fall 2015
Fall 2022
8
3
4
1
0
Poor
North Branch PPR
Paw Paw
Fall 2015
Fall 2022
6
2
1
2
1
Poor
Paw Paw River T2SA
Paw Paw
Fall 2015
Fall 2024
10
0
5
3
2
Good
Paw Paw River T3SA
Paw Paw
Fall 2015
Fall 2017
3
0
0
1
2
Excellent
Paw Paw River T4SA
Paw Paw
Fall 2015
Fall 2024
8
2
3
2
1
Poor
Pine Creek T3SB
Paw Paw
Fall 2015
Spring 2022
7
3
2
2
0
Poor
Pine Creek T3SC
Paw Paw
Spring 2016
Fall 2022
3
1
2
0
0
Poor
South Branch BR
Black
Fall 2015
Spring 2021
6
0
4
2
0
Fair
South Branch PPR
Paw Paw
Fall 2015
Spring 2021
11
0
3
7
1
Fair
White Creek
Paw Paw
Spring 2016
Fall 2022
9
0
5
4
0
Fair
Total (sum)
109
14
46
41
8