In the 1960s, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources conducted a fish survey and found no living fish in the Clinton River from Lake St. Clair to the city of Pontiac. Rapid development, urbanization and a lack of clean water regulations resulted in heavy levels of pollutants and contaminants in the waterways.

In 1987, a government plan designated the Clinton River watershed as an Area of Concern (AOC) and identified eight Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs). A BUI refers to a change in chemical, physical or biological integrity that causes significant environmental degradation.

The original eight BUIs included:

1. Restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption
2. Eutrophication or undesirable algae
3. Degradation of fish and wildlife populations
4. Beach closings
5. Degradation of aesthetics - removed September 2020
6. Degradation of benthos (organisms that live in the bottom layer of water – their presence or absence often indicates water quality)
7. Restrictions on dredging activities
8. Loss of fish and wildlife habitat

Since 1987, stakeholders have worked hard to address these concerns and today, the Clinton River is known for fish diversity, thriving wildlife, and recreational opportunities. As the administrator of the Clinton River Public Advisory Council (PAC) for the AOC, the Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) addresses BUIs in partnership with individuals, communities, government agencies, and other non-profit organizations.

Since 2010, more than $43 million, including $20 million from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has been invested in addressing the watershed’s eight BUIs. This funding has supported 18 projects ranging from habitat restoration to pollution remediation. Projects include the Clinton River Spillway Habitat Enhancement, Sylvan Glen Habitat Restoration, and the Sterling Relief project, which have resulted in measurable improvements in aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

In 2024, CRWC focused on eutrophication monitoring efforts. Eutrophication is caused by excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus and is a persistent challenge for the Clinton River watershed.

CRWC monitored water quality at 24 sites across the watershed and samples were collected monthly during May, June, July, and August 2024.

As part of its work as PAC administrator, CRWC hosted a Statewide PAC meeting in October 2024. Representatives from Michigan’s AOCs, state and federal agencies, and local stakeholders toured two sites that highlight the AOC’s and CRWC’s restoration achievements:

1. Yates Cider Mill Habitat Restoration: Led by CRWC, this project restored approximately 500 feet of riverbank along the Clinton River, adjacent to Yates Cider Mill in Rochester Hills. The riverbank was heavily eroded and was contributing to increased sediment loads into the Clinton River and invasive species were impacting habitat in places. The project restored bank stability, established designated angler access locations, and increased habitat availability for native flora and fauna.

2. Sterling Relief Drain Daylighting Project: Led by Macomb County Public Works Office, this project was designed to significantly increase the capture and infiltration of stormwater runoff before it enters the Red Run, a tributary of the Clinton River. The project also daylighted 2.5 miles of formerly enclosed drain to allow for more native habitat creation and a native vegetated corridor was created along the drain corridor.

Post construction, CRWC collaborated with the Macomb County Public Works Office to provide continued ecological monitoring of the site to understand how the project benefits frogs and toads, macroinvertebrate habitat, and water quality. Paired with earlier monitoring from the project, these data will help assess the ecological impacts of restoration efforts and inform future site work.

Tackling Eutrophication in the Clinton River Watershed

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