The Clinton River Watershed: A Model of Environmental Conservation and Water Quality Preservation

The Clinton River watershed drains water from 760 square miles into Lake St. Clair. Wetlands form the river’s beginnings in several places. In 1985, forty acres located at the furthest northwest extent of the watershed was donated to the conservancy. Every year the Clinton River Watershed Council tests the stream within this preserve. Consistently it rates as the highest quality site in the entire watershed. The conservancy helps maintain stream quality by preserving the woods which cool the water. It also maintains a wide buffer which prevents nearby homes from introducing pollutants such as septage, lawn fertilizer, insecticides and de- icing products.