Platte River Watershed: A Treasure Worth Protecting

FALL 2020

Platte River Watershed: A Treasure Worth Protecting

Lower Woodcock Lake/Photo by Noah Jurik

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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

Without question, the Platte River watershed is one of Northwest Michigan’s most iconic and beloved watersheds. From spring hikes in the river valley to lazy summer float trips and fall salmon fishing, the river and its watershed have long been a place for locals and visitors to relax, recreate and rejuvenate.

Lake Michigan

Although most commonly associated with Benzie County, where most of it is located, this watershed stretches east of Grand Traverse County’s Long Lake and north into southern Leelanau County. It covers an impressive 193 square miles and contains several notable local lakes. It has more than 90 miles of river and connecting tributary streams, most of them cold and clear.

Although Benzie is the smallest county in the state by land area, recent rankings have shown it to be in the top five in terms of statewide growth. Development of critical parcels within this watershed can have an adverse effect on water quality by generating pollution and interfering with the critical natural systems that filter surface water runoff. This is especially true of parcels with shoreline along the Platte itself or many of its tributaries.

Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore

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Little Platte Lake Platte Lake

Crystal Lake

Frankfort Beulah Elberta

Benzonia

Since our founding in 1991, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) has worked to protect land in this special watershed.

After protecting 170 wild, rugged acres along Platte Lake’s scenic eastern end in 1993, the Conservancy has protected nearly 2,100 critical acres across 27 additional projects. What’s more, these projects have protected nearly 80,000 important forPreserves all of us during stressful times. feet – that’s 15 miles – of shoreline along the GTRLC Nature GTRLC Protecte watershed’s rivers, streams and lakes. on to learn more about some GTRLC projects GTRLCRead Protected, Private Other Public La within the Platte River watershed, including recent and Many of these places are probably familiar. From active projects included in the Campaign for Generations, the Pearl Lake and Ransom Lake natural areas the Conservancy’s ambitious six-year, $71.4 million near Lake Ann to Timbers Recreation Area along effort to protect critical land and improve access to Long Lake, these properties are important not nature within our five-county service area. To learn only for their conservation value but for the more about the campaign, to support GTRLC’s work, or enjoyment and solace they bring to thousands to learn more about any of the properties listed in this of visitors a year. The Conservancy believes publication, visit www.gtrlc.org strongly in the healing and restorative powers of nature, and places like these are even more

LEGEND

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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

Grand Traverse Bay West Arm

LEELANAU BENZIE GRAND TRAVERSE

Pearl Lake

Traverse City

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8 Lake Ann

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Long Dubonnet Lake Dubonnet

Platte River

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Grawn

Karlin Rd

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Long Lake

Duck Lake Green Lake

LEGEND GTRLC Preserves (public)

GTRLC Protected Land (private)

GTRLC Proposed Preserves (public)

Other Protected Land (public)

Other GTRLC Protected Land (public)

GTRLC Active Projects

Thompsonville

Platte River Watershed

Campaign For Generations Projects 0

Platte River Platte Watershed River Watershed Highlighted Projects 1

Embayment Lakes Nature Preserve (proposed)

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Lower Woodcock Lake Nature Preserve

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Mount Minnie Nature Preserve (proposed)

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Pearl Lake Natural Area

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Platte River Park Nature Preserve

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Ransom Lake Natural Area

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Lake Ann Beach

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Timbers Recreation Area

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photo by: Noah Jurik

Embayment Lakes property in the foreground with Long and Rush (embayment) Lakes in the middle ground and Sleeping Bear Dunes beyond.

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Embayment Lakes Nature Preserve (Proposed) Shoreline: 6,000’ / 1.1 mi Acres: 166 This gorgeous 166-acre parcel sits between Long Lake and Rush Lake, themselves situated between Crystal and Platte Lakes in Benzie County. If protected by GTRLC, the western 100 acres would become the Embayment Lakes Nature Preserve. The remaining acreage will most likely be purchased by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The property has more than 1,500 feet of frontage on Long Lake, more than 500 feet of frontage on Rush Lake and nearly 4,000 feet of frontage on an unnamed stream that flows into Rush Lake, making for an impressive tally of more than 6,000 feet of water frontage within the ecologically significant Platte River watershed. Many cold, clean groundwater

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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

streams emerge, disappear and re-emerge throughout this magical property. Another property with obvious water quality benefits, it also contains an excellent variety of habitats including high quality mesic northern hardwood forest, hardwood swamp and northern shrub thicket. This mosaic of habitat types combined with significant water frontage makes the property important for wildlife habitat. There is at least one active bald eagle nest here, nesting loons on both Long and Rush lakes and potential habitat for the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, a federally threatened species.

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Mount Minnie Nature Preserve (Proposed) Shoreline: 1,567’ / 0.3 mi Acres: 65 This spectacular proposed preserve (fundraising is ongoing) sits on the isthmus between Platte and Little Platte lakes. The property is particularly noteworthy from a scenic perspective, as its hills, which rise more than 135 feet above the lakes, stand in stark contrast to the low, flat topography of the surrounding area. The result is a towering landmark of green juxtaposed between the clear waters of these two large lakes.

The property also includes significant frontage on Little Platte Lake and six acres of highlydiverse riparian wetlands. Although not contiguous to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, there currently exists a corridor of undeveloped woodland that links Mt. Minnie to the Lakeshore.Â

Along with obvious water quality benefits, this property contains excellent habitat, including high quality mesic northern hardwood forest and hardwood-conifer swamp. Red-shouldered hawks and loons (both state-threatened) were heard calling from the property, and bald eagles (state species of special concern) have been observed perched along the Little Platte Lake shoreline.

We’re excited about the potential for high quality trails at this proposed preserve, which will be open to the public when fundraising is successful.

Support Proposed Projects: www.gtrlc.org/campaign-for-generations/

photo by: Noah Jurik

Mount Minnie situated on an isthmus between Platte and Little Platte Lakes.

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photo courtesy of HARP

Platte River flowing through the newly protected Platte River Park in Honor.

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Platte River Park

Lake Ann Beach

Shoreline: 1,500’ / 0.3 mi Acres: 52

Shoreline: 176’ Acres: 1.6

GTRLC was instrumental in getting the ball rolling for this still-developing community treasure on the outskirts of Honor. The Conservancy negotiated with the landowner and purchased and held the property while helping the Honor Area Restoration Project (HARP) and Homestead Township apply for and secure a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant to cover the purchase cost.

This public park right in Lake Ann is a favorite for swimming, picnics and more. Realizing its potential, community members approached GTRLC to preserve this property when it went up for sale in 2006. Local resident Gardner Klassen bought and held the property on an interim basis while GTRLC helped Almira Township apply for a MNRTF grant to purchase it.

HARP is now raising money for recreational amenities at the park. The hope is to allow public recreation along (and access to) the river in an area where both are lacking. Professional planning and design is underway, with groundbreaking set for next year. Visit www. restorehonor.org to keep up on the progress.

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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

This project is a perfect example of the Conservancy working hard to provide public access to nature.

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Lower Woodcock Lake Nature Preserve Shoreline: 12,227’ / 2.3 mi Acres: 230 The Conservancy opened this stunning preserve to the public earlier this year. This densely wooded preserve contains the entirety of 22acre Lower Woodcock Lake, a picturesque gem brimming with wildlife. We’ve already heard from visitors about how much they enjoy this special place.

The conservation values of this preserve are tremendous. It contains a full half mile of frontage on the Platte River itself, along with most of a small unnamed stream that flows from Upper Woodcock Lake to Lower Woodcock

Lake. It also contains the entire stretch of another unnamed stream from the lower lake that feeds into the Platte River. With stands of hardwood forest, rich conifer swamp and other ecosystems, the preserve offers excellent habitat for a variety of species.

And while not completely surrounded by state land, about 70 percent of the property – including portions of all four sides – borders state forest. Such contiguity is critical for wildlife corridors and recreation.

photo by: Nate Richardson

Lower Woodcock Lake near the mouth of the outflow creek flowing into Platte River.

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photo by: Nate Richardson

View from atop one of the many high ridges surrounding beautiful Pearl Lake.

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Pearl Lake Natural Area

Ransom Lake Natural Area

Shoreline: 4,840’ / 0.9 mi Acres: 249

Shoreline: 12,000’ / 2.3mi Acres: 220

This beloved natural area, intimately known and long enjoyed by local residents, sits not far from Lake Ann. It was protected about 20 years ago, with GTRLC and local residents joining forces to save an important community resource.

Once owned by longtime resident Max Goin and his wife Beatrice Goin (Lake Ann’s former postmaster), this property is now a beautiful natural area that encompasses all of its namesake lake and large stretches of peaceful forest with a 2.7-mile hiking loop around the lake.

GTRLC negotiated with the private landowner of the property and was instrumental in securing an MNRTF grant. The Conservancy worked closely with local fundraising groups to raise matching funds and ensure that this beautiful property would be forever protected for future generations.

The natural area is now a favorite for kayakers, hikers, birdwatchers, fishermen, wildlife photographers and more.

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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

Like nearby Pearl Lake, GTRLC negotiated with the Goin family, then helped secure a MNRTF grant for the purchase. Come here for a variety of activities, including use of a universal access trail along Ransom Creek that leads to a deck overlooking the lake. UA bathrooms are also available.

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Timbers Recreation Area Shoreline: 8,900’ / 1.7mi Acres: 250 Many folks don’t know that all of Grand Traverse County’s Long Lake is part of the Platte River watershed. The river itself begins at an outlet on Long Lake’s south end (some maps refer to it as Sucker Creek instead of the Platte River proper) and winds its way all the way to Lake Michigan, passing through several other lakes (Dubonnet, Lake Ann, Bronson, Platte, etc.) in the process.

Fern Lake, a lake in the Timbers Recreation Area that is connected by an outlet to Long, is the farthest upstream lake in this interconnected system.

Timbers, situated on the northeast corner of Long Lake, has quickly become a local favorite for folks who live on the west side of the Traverse City area. This beautiful former Girl Scout camp was protected by GTRLC in 2014 with more assistance from the MNRTF. Trails at the property wind through beautiful, mature forest and along the shores of both Long Lake and Fern Lake. Just this year a universal access (UA) trail opened here, giving people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of this gorgeous natural area.

photo by: Rick Kane

Protected land and over a mile of undeveloped shoreline at Timbers Recreation area are key for habitat and water quality.

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Conservation Easements Shoreline: 20,000’ /3.9 mi* Acres: 784* About half of all the land protected by GTRLC remains in private hands and is protected using a tool known as a conservation easement. A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a private landowner and GTRLC that permanently restricts the way land is used in order to protect its conservation values. Easements take into account a landowner’s wishes while permanently protecting water and land quality, natural features and other conservation values.

While every easement is different, some rights commonly restricted under a conservation easement are the rights to build additional buildings or alter significant natural features.

GTRLC either purchases these easements from the landowner (development rights have a cash value) or receives them as a donation.

Easement restrictions remain on the land in perpetuity, regardless of who owns the land. photo by: Noah Juirk

Within the Platte River watershed, a dozen easements protect some of the most significant natural land. While these lands are not open to the public, we all benefit from their protection. Water quality, wildlife habitat, scenic views and productive farmland throughout our region are all protected through the use of this valuable tool.

Scenes from protected lands around the watershed (listed clockwise starting top left: Lower Woodcock Lake, Embayment Lakes, Mount Minnie, Timbers Recreation Area).

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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

photo by: Rick Kane

*Total in the Platte River Watershed

photo by: Nathan Landick

PHOTO BY JIM GIBSON

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s mission is to protect significant natural, scenic, and farm lands – and advance stewardship – now and for future generations. Since 1991, the Conservancy has protected more than 44,000 acres of land and more than 144 miles of shoreline in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Manistee counties. Protection is accomplished through a variety of tools, and all projects require the participation of willing landowners. The Conservancy also owns and manages nearly 40 nature preserves which are open to the public. For more information, please visit www.gtrlc.org.

photo by: Nate Richardson

About the Conservancy

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3860 N. Long Lake Rd. Ste. D Traverse City, MI 49684

GTRLC.ORG