Dead Stream Flooding State Wildlife Management Area

The Dead Stream Flooding State Wildlife Management Area is a protected wildlife area located in the U.S. state of Michigan. The wildlife management area centers along the Muskegon River about 2 miles (3.2 km) from its source at Houghton Lake, and it incorporates rural areas in Enterprise Township within Missaukee County and Lake Township within Roscommon County for an approximate total area of 1,024 acres (4.14 km²). It is controlled and maintained by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.[1][3]

Dead Stream Flooding State Wildlife Management Area
View from N. Michelson Road (July 2019)
Location within the state of Michigan
LocationMuskegon River
Enterprise Township and Lake Township, Michigan
Nearest cityLake City, Michigan
Coordinates44°22′46″N 84°50′41″W
Area1,024 acres (4.14 km2)[1]
Elevation1,142 feet (348 m)[2]
Governing bodyMichigan Department of Natural Resources
The draining Dead Stream Flooding in October 2018

The wildlife management area owes its creation to the Reedsburg Dam, which was constructed in 1940 along the Muskegon River to alleviate flooding from Houghton Lake. The resulting reservoir became known as the Dead Stream Flooding (or Dead Stream Swamp) at a fluctuating size of approximately 540 acres (2.19 km²).

Location

The area's headquarters are located at the Houghton Lake DNR Wildlife Office at 8717 North Roscommon Road (M-18) in the nearby village of Roscommon.[4] The wildlife management area itself is mostly accessible from U.S. Route 127 exit 194 (M-55) and County Road 300, and the overall area is sparsely populated. Other nearby sizable communities are Houghton Lake just to the southeast and Lake City about 20 miles (32 km) west.

The unconnected Houghton Lake Flats Flooding State Wildlife Management Area is just to the east, and a number of other protected areas are within close proximity, including North Higgins Lake State Park, South Higgins Lake State Park, Hartwick Pines State Park, Houghton Lake State Wildlife Research Area, Bear Creek Flooding State Wildlife Management Area, Backus Creek State Game Area, and Denton Creek Flooding State Wildlife Management Area.

The forests surrounding the Dead Stream Flooding State Wildlife Management Area are also protected as state forest land managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in the Au Sable State Forest and Pere Marquette State Forest.[5]

Activities

The area is popular among campers, tourists, fishermen, and hunters. Common fish within the waters include pumpkinseed, bluegill, small and largemouth bass, native crayfish[6], northern pike, yellow perch, and bowfin. There are ample shore fishing locations and two public boating access points.[7] The Dead Stream Flooding is mostly shallow and contains numerous underwater obstacles that make larger motorized vessels discouraged. The surrounding woodlands are open to seasonal waterfowl, turkey, and deer hunting. Other popular activities include bird watching, geocaching, photography, and canoeing/kayaking. Rustic camping is available at the Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground on the northeast side of the dam. The campground is operated by the nearby North Higgins Lake State Park.[8]

Current status
The Dead Stream Flooding with lower than normal water levels in July 2020

Beginning in August 2018, the Reedsburg Dam is undergoing major reconstruction lasting for at least one year, and the Dead Stream Flooding will be completely drained to allow for only the original flow of the Muskegon River. The construction is necessary to repair and rebuild the nearly 80-year-old earthen dike and concrete and steel structures of the dam. During the project, portions of the wetlands of the Dead Stream Flooding State Wildlife Management Area will be temporarily dried up; most of the lower water levels will take place around the Reedsburg Dam reservoir and not further upstream along the Muskegon River. When the construction project is complete, the reservoir was expected to slowly return to original levels by summer 2020.[9][10]

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, the Reedsburg Dam reconstruction was delayed. While more than 90% of the dam project has been completed, the water levels are now expected to return to normal levels by fall 2020.[8]

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References
  1. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2019). "State Wildlife/Game Areas (list)". Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  2. Locality, LLC. "Dead Stream Flooding Topo Map in Missaukee County MI". Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  3. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (14 August 2015). "Dead Stream Flooding State Wildlife Management Area" (PDF). Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  4. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (21 March 2012). "Deadstream Flooding State Wildlife Mgt Area Habitat Management" (PDF). Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  5. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2019). "Michigan's State Forests Tour". Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  6. Davison, Alisha (20 September 2015). "Michigan Crayfish – Understanding Our Native and Invasive Species". Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  7. State of Michigan (2019). "Michigan's Recreational Boating Information System (MRBIS)". Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  8. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2020). "Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground". Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  9. Fisher, Keith (30 May 2018). "Reedsburg dam in Missaukee County set to undergo significant maintenance upgrades; preparation starts this summer". Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  10. Hopper Usher, Karen (8 June 2018). "Reedsburg Dam to get some TLC". Retrieved March 11, 2019.
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