WRWP logo wide
WRWP logo wide
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  Protecting the White River in Michigan's Newago, Oceana and Muskegon Counties since 1995.


Donations Memberships Renewals

 
Stream+Monitoring_Cobmoosa+Creek+(5)
Stream+Monitoring_Cobmoosa+Creek+(5)
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FALL 2024 AQUATIC MACROINVERTEBRATE SAMPLING

Saturday September 21
10:00 am - approx. 2:30 pm
(Rain Dated: Saturday October 5)
Kropscott Farm Environmental Center
6523 W. Baseline Rd., Fremont MI 49412

The White River Watershed Partnership is seeking volunteers to help us complete our fall round of macroinvertebrate sampling.  Macros are the "canary in the coal mine" indicators of water quality.  By twice yearly sampling specific sites using MICORPS's sampling protocols, we hope to detect any adverse changes that may occur, affecting the health of the aquatic ecosystem.  We are pleased when our sites continue to get good scores on the number a variety of those macroinvertebrates that are sensitive to water quality.

After meeting up at Kropscott Farm, we will split into groups and travel to our monitoring sites.  If you wish to be hands on in the use of the sampling nets, bring your waders.  If you just want to tag along and observe how the sampling is done, you can watch from the stream bank.  The third way you can help is by sorting the critters we have collected.  The teams meet back at Kropscott to sort about noon.  You will be amazed at the animals we find!

No experience is necessary.  We hope you will learn a little about the macroinvertebrates that live in the White watershed.  For example, did you know Dragonflies live most of their life below water?  We are likely to find some.

If you plan to attend, please sign the attached Volunteer Waiver and return it to raymondschinler@gmail.com.  Completing the form in advance is most important for those under 18 who will not be accompanied by their parent or guardian.
A special thank you to our returning volunteers.

WRWP Waiver Form.pdf
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24 spring samplers sharp
24 spring samplers sharp
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Science corner 1
Science corner 1
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Water Quality Chart
Water Quality Chart
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SPRING 2024 MACROINVERTEBRATE SAMPLING RESULTS


In the first half of May, White River enthusiasts have sampled a dozen stretches.  A huge Thank You to you all!

On May 4, organized by Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited, samplers collected and sorted macroinvertebrates from three new sites along Mena Creek, one above and two below Minnie Pond in the Manistee National Forest.  These Newaygo County stretches are part of a sub-watershed with great potential for spawning, but unfortunately cut off to nearly all lake-run fish by dams downstream.

A week later, on May 11, WRWP organized 20 volunteers, ages ranging over eight decades, who collected at five more locations, then reconnoitering at Kropscott Farm Environmental Center to sort.  Again our thanks to Newaygo Conservation District for making their wonderful facility available to us.  
Our results ranged from Good (4.69 on the Michigan Clean Water Corps scale) to Excellent (3.46).

Finally, on May 15, under contract to WRWP, Muskegon Conservation District staff collected at four sites on Carlton Creek.
This spring's Carlton Creek results ranged from Good (4.69) to Very Good (4.06).  These results mark the twelfth consecutive year we've used macroinvertebrate sampling to record water quality in a tributary prone to "cultural" degradation.  At the 300-foot stretch furthest upstream (and closet to development), the results have actually improved over the years, from Poor to Very Good this spring.

Our White River results, along with those from 30 other organizations across Michigan, can be found on the MiCorps data exchange.

MiCorps Data Exchage

Temperature and Macroinvertebrate Sampling Sites

Recent Macroinvertebrate Sampling Results

WRWP CALENDAR

  • Fall Macroinvertebrate Sampling, Saturday 10 AM September 21,  Kropscott Farm Environmental Center (rain date Oct. 5)
  • Board Meeting, Thursday 6 PM September 26
  • (Rain Date for Sampling, Saturday 10 AM October 5)
  • Board Meeting, Thursday 6 PM October 24

WRWP Board of Directors meet monthly starting at 6 pm eastern on the fourth Thursday of the month.  The meetings are conducted by ZOOM.  These meetings are open to all members and guests.  For the link to join, send an email to raymondschinler@gmail.com.

      Welcome! Travel around this site to learn about who we are, what we do, why we do it, and how you can get involved. 
The White River rises from its headwaters deep in Newago County, flowing through streams and tributaries, finding its
way to the mouth of White Lake, and on to the end of its journey into Lake Michigan.  Discover more about this
remarkable, precious natural resource, and what you can do to preserve, protect and enjoy it!

Wondering why the Watershed is important?  Take a look!

copy59_Main Branch at Taylor Landing
  • copy59_Main Branch at Taylor Landing
  • Spring 2017-11
  • Red Breasted Merganser
  • Brayton x 200th Ave winter 2017
  • Spring 2017-18
  • Blue Flag Iris
  • Spring 2017-9 (2)
  • Spring 2017-16
  • Spring 2017-8
  • Main Br above Taylor Bridge - 2
  • Spring 2017-10
  • Barred owl
  • White Winged Scoter
  • Spring 2017-4
  • Spring 2017-22
  • Main Br above Taylor Bridge winter 2017
  • Spring 2017-13
  • Muskrat
  • Two Mile Creek
  • Spring 2017-21
  • Giant Swallowtail
  • Queen snake
  • WR Hesperia 2
  • Wild turkey
  • Pink Lady Slippers
  • copy13_WRWP web photo (2)
  • Spring Flooding Cobmoosa Creek
  • Mourning cloak
  • copy57_WR Hesperia
  • Sparrow nestlings - Copy
  • copy42_WR Hesperia 3
  • 20170410_102941

 
           How's My Waterway:
           A Tool for Exploring Your Water Quality

      How's My Waterway provides information to the public about the condition of their local waters. 
     Collecting information from eight EPA databases, including contributions from states, federal, tribal
     and local agencies, HMW provides a comprehensive overview of water quality across the United States
     at the community, state and national levels.

     HMW can help users:
     *  explore information about their drinking water and local stream conditions
     *  determine whether local waterways are suitable for swimming or consuming fish caught in those               waters, and whether they support aquatic life
     *  discover if their waterways are being monitored for contaminants and the location of any local
         monitoring stations
     *  learn about other issues affecting their waterways, including restoration and protection efforts,
         impairments to water and discharge violations into local streams and rivers
                                                  

copy43_White River Light
copy43_White River Light
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    Click the White River Light Station for real-time views of White Lake Channel and Lake Michigan. The webcam is maintained courtesy of White Lake Association.

Stormy Weather
Stormy Weather
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    Don't head out to swim, fish or boat before checking the forecast! Click the waves for instant access to weather conditions at the White River Light Station.

Measure water depth (420x280)
Measure water depth (420x280)
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    You can learn the water levels on the lower White, just above Whitehall, by clicking on the ruler.  This service is courtesy of US Geological Service.

                                          Visit our
 Science Corner 
 for links to the Aquatic
 Invasive Species Watch
 List, both plants and
 animals. 
   You can also find
 information there about
 the White's watershed
 management plan, maps
 and other resources.