Cedar Lake Watershed Management Planning

Cedar Lake is a 1,075 acre lake located in northern Michigan near Oscoda. K&A is providing technical assistance through the creation of a watershed management plan to address environmental issues at the lake, including annual summer water loss and low lake levels. Previous work K&A performed for the Alcona-Iosco Cedar Lake Association includes a two-part hydrologic study of lake water loss using a mass balance approach.

The first efforts to implement recommendations developed in early watershed management planning are underway.  K&A recently installed additional piezometers around Cedar Lake to monitor changes in groundwater.  This is part of their augmentation pilot study which will work to develop a suite of recommendations for lake level management and test the potential for groundwater wells to augment low lake levels during dry years. 
Phase I Report | Phase II Report

Kalamazoo River Watershed Modeling and Build-Out Analysis

As part of a watershed management plan that being developed for the entire Kalamazoo River watershed, K&A is providing technical support through watershed modeling and development of a BMP calculation tool. A watershed-wide, nonpoint source empirical model was developed for the Kalamazoo River watershed to estimate pollutant loads and runoff volumes from existing land cover. Pollutant loads and runoff volumes were calculated using average runoff depth values produced by the Long-term Hydrologic Impact Assessment model (L-THIA) and available pollutant event mean concentration values. Using future build out conditions predicted by the Land Transformation Model, K&A also calculated changes in loading for the year 2030. Modeling results can be used by local stakeholders to assess best management practices and associated costs through the BMP Calculator developed by K&A.

Paw Paw River Watershed SWAT Modeling and Build-Out Analysis

Understanding the impact of future urban development and urban BMPs on water quality will be key to developing adequate land use management plans that meet watershed management goals in the Paw Paw River watershed. To better inform stakeholders, K&A developed a SWAT model for the watershed and modeled agricultural BMP scenarios in the Paw Paw River Watershed to estimate agricultural pollutant loads.

K&A also used a simple empirical approach to calculate nonpoint source pollutant loads by calculating loads and runoff volumes using average runoff depth values produced by the Long-term Hydrologic Impact Assessment model (L-THIA), and available pollutant event mean concentration values. Hypothetical build out scenarios were defined to estimate the impact of urban development on water quality and quantity.
SWAT Report | Build Out Report

Asylum Lake Hydrologic Study

K&A performed a study of Asylum and Little Asylum Lakes for WMU's Asylum Lake Policy & Management Council. The purpose of the study was to develop a solid understanding of current conditions in the lakes, identify factors influencing water quality conditions, and develop strategies for long-term management and conservation. The study included watershed delineation and assessment of runoff contributions from various drainage areas and land uses. Specific stormwater pollutant sources were identified as part of the study and contributing loads from these sources were estimated. A hydraulic mass balance was developed for the lakes. As part of the preliminary work for this study, in-lake and stormwater outflow water quality monitoring was conducted over four seasons. The final report includes a sediment analysis, aquatic plant surveys, and stormwater management strategies to reduce excess nutrient and sediment loading to the lakes.
Project Summary

Lake Somerset Hydrologic Study and Dredging Feasibility

In collaboration with the Lake Somerset Lake Association, K&A performed an assessment of water quality management needs for this 191-acre lake located in Hillsdale County, Michigan. Using years of monitoring data collected at the lake, K&A designed and implemented an integrated scientific and engineering analysis of the lake.

This study included several surveys, including an aquatic plant survey, water quality monitoring over four seasons, sediment sampling, shorline erosion investigation and septic system survey. In addition, the contribution areas were delineated and pollutant loads were modeled for the lake. A hydraulic mass balance was developed along with digitizing available abthymetry. A later study was performed to determine the dredging feasibility and estimated costs.
Project Summary

St. Joseph River Watershed Management Plan

K&A, along with the Friends of the St. Joseph River developed a watershed management plan (WMP) for the St. Joseph River watershed. This first of its kind bi-state WMP process began in 2002 and culminated in an EPA-approved, web-based WMP. The fundamental objective of the project was to provide the watershed community with a plan that would facilitate and guide implementation of desired goals for water quality improvements and protection, as well as a consistent venue to communicate, adapt and revise the overall plan as new information is obtained and milestones reached. A complete copy of the WMP and associated documents can be downloaded from the site below.
Project Summary | Website 

Davis Creek Natural Features Inventory

As part of a Clean Water Act Section 319 grant, K&A conducted a natural feature inventory and water quality monitoring of the Davis Creek watershed, a tributary of the Kalamazoo River. As part of this study, K&A performed an evaluation of baseline and wet weather water quality impacts via field sampling and data analysis for dissolved oxygen, algal nutrients, biological oxygen demand, chlorides and heavy metals.  These efforts also included a comprehensive compilation of natural features within the Davis Creek watershed.  A user-friendly interactive Natural Features Guide was completed for inclusion on MDEQ and other local websites.  The inventory utilized Thematic Mapper Imagery (satellite data) to update existing land use/land cover information.
Project Summary | Website