Michigan Wetlands

What are wetlands and why are they important?

Michigan's wetland statute, Part 303, Wetlands Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, defines a wetland as "land characterized by the presence of water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, wetland vegetation or aquatic life, and is commonly referred to as a bog, swamp, or marsh." The definition applies to public and private lands regardless of zoning or ownership. The flow chart on the right helps identify regulated / protected wetlands.

Wetlands are a significant factor in the health and existence of other natural resources of the state, such as inland lakes, ground water, fisheries, wildlife, and the Great Lakes. Michigan's wetland statute recognizes the following benefits provided by wetlands:

Flood and storm control by the hydrologic absorption and storage capacity of wetlands.
Wildlife habitat by providing breeding, nesting, and feeding grounds and cover for many forms of wildlife, waterfowl, including migratory waterfowl, and rare, threatened, or endangered wildlife species.
Protection of subsurface water resources and provision of valuable watersheds and recharging ground water supplies.
Pollution treatment by serving as a biological and chemical oxidation basin.
Erosion control by serving as a sedimentation area and filtering basin, absorbing silt and organic matter.
Sources of nutrients in water food cycles and nursery grounds and sanctuaries for fish.

These benefits, often referred to as wetland functions and values, often play a vital role in recreation, tourism, and the economy in Michigan. According to a 1991 United States Fish and Wildlife Service Wetland Status and Trends report, over 50% of Michigan's original wetlands have been drained or filled, thereby making the protection of remaining wetlands that much more important.

Most people are familiar with the cattail or lily pad wetland found in areas with standing water, but wetlands can also be grassy meadows, shrubby fields, or mature forests. Many wetland areas have only a high ground water table and standing water may not be visible. Types of wetlands include deciduous swamps, wet meadows, emergent marshes, conifer swamps, wet prairies, shrub-scrub swamps, fens, and bogs.

The Paw Paw River is noted for its large tracts of Southern Floodplain Forests that run along much of its main river corridor. Scroll down to learn more!

Southern Floodplain Forests

Southern floodplain forests are a natural wetland community (Michigan Natural Features Inventory) classified as rare and imperiled wetlands in Part 303. These ecologically important wetlands are found along much of the main stem of the Paw Paw River and are less predominant along the Black River. As rare and imperiled wetlands connected and/or within 500 feet of the Paw Paw and Black Rivers, they are regulated under Part 303. Floodplain forests are also included in Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan (Wildlife Action Plan: Floodplain Forests) which is a strategic framework to cooperatively conserve Michigan’s wildlife and their habitats – especially those wildlife populations already in decline.

The Paw Paw River Watershed management plan classifies floodplain forests along the Paw Paw River as high priority protection areas and medium along several tributaries. The darker green area shown in map running along the main stem of the Paw Paw River are the high priority protection areas for the floodplain forests. The headwater region also has high priority protection areas which contain other ecologically important wetland habitats such as prairie fens, wet meadows, marshes, and wetland forests.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) conducted a Floodplain Forest Priority Study (Legge, John, 2006) which highlighted five floodplain forest areas as priorities (Figure 8). Floodplain forests were selected as a priority for biodiversity conservation and represented high-quality occurrences of southern floodplain forests. Floodplain forests along the Paw Paw River are thought to host significant populations of several declining, forest-breeding, migratory songbirds, including the prothonotary warbler, cerulean warbler, and wood thrush. The five priority areas of this study are described below.

Waverly Township Forest Area. This area stands out for several factors: the greatest length of mostly continuous forest; greatest average forest corridor width; high forest quality rank; and documented presence of a large population of prothonotary warblers, with at least some cerulean warblers present. MNFI ecologists gave the forest community an “A” ranking.
Sarett Nature Center Forest Area. This area has the second greatest length; a fairly wide forest corridor; and documented populations of prothonotary and cerulean warblers. In addition the large acreage of the nature center provides a significant core area of protected forest.
West Lawrence Forest Area. This area extends along the mainstem of the river with some open areas of pastures and home sites interrupting the corridor. There are no protected areas. MNFI ecologists gave the forest community a “B” ranking.
East Lawrence Forest Area. This area extends along the river and is not as wide as higher priority areas. There is a protected area. MNFI ecologists gave the forest community a “B” ranking.
West Hartford Forest Area. This area also extends along the river and MNFI ecologists gave the area a lower rating at B/C, based on trails and other signs of significant use in the forest. This area may include Pokagon Band tribal lands.

The Nature Conservancy study made note of the presence of prothonotary warblers as they are floodplain forest specialists and considered indicator species for functioning floodplain forests.

More recently, Two Rivers Coalition surveyed prothonotary warblers (2020-2025) in our watersheds to help map out the floodplain forest remaining. Figure 9 shows the survey results along with data obtained from the eBird citizen science platform that allows people to record bird sightings. The results support the existence of functioning floodplain forests along much of the main Paw Paw River corridor.

Dig Deeper with the resources:

Living With Michigans's Wetlands: A landowner's Guide

Michigan's Landowners are critical to the protection and management of wetland resources in the state. This guidebook contains information to help the landowner learn more about wetlands and the value of wetland protection, basic techniques and options for wetland management, the economic benefits of various protection methods, and where to go for more assistance.

Protecting Michigan's Wetlands: A Guide for Local Governments

This guidebook is designed for the local government official or interested citizen who faces important questions about wetlands. Why should you consider protecting them? It is hoped that the information contained in this guide will help you understand why wetlands are important; it provides information to help you make decisions about the wetlands in your local community.

Wetlands Map Viewer - Explore this online GIS map with wetland layers

MDEQ Wetlands Website - Lots of information about Michigan's wetlands

MiEnviro Portal - Instructions for Minor Projects & General Permit Applications