The Pine River/Van Etten Lake Watershed encompasses 187,000 acres of land in Alcona and Iosco counties. This large region of forests, farms, recreation lakes and streams includes the towns of Oscoda, Lincoln, Mikado and Glennie. It is home to the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler and threatened Bald Eagle and Common Loon.

Our goal is to improve, restore and protect the water quality of the Pine River, its tributaries, and Van Etten Lake. With funding from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and private donations, we have developed a comprehensive watershed management plan. A “watershed management plan” is a tool which analyzes all of the issues impacting water quality in the entire land area draining to a lake and includes the solutions to help protect it.

The watershed management plan identified nonpoint source pollutants, such as nutrients from fertilizers and sediment from erosion, as major threats to our aquatic resources. In addition to having an adverse effect on fish habitat, these pollutants contribute to such problems as excessive weed growth, turbid water, and a loss of recreational opportunities.

By conducting a series of field inventories and water quality studies pertaining to streambank erosion, road/stream crossings, agricultural practices and shoreline development we have identified the nutrient and sediment sources that are threatening water quality.

As a local resident, you can become involved in a number of ways:

• Volunteer water quality monitoring
• Native greenbelt plantings
• Invasive species inventories
• Having your septic system inspected regularly
• Limiting use of fertilizer near water bodies
• Getting involved in the Steering Committee
• Supporting your watershed financially
• Volunteer water quality monitoring

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Huron Pines and earmarked for the PRVEL Watershed. For more information on the project, please contact Huron Pines.

The Pine River/Van Etten Lake Watershed Coalition

The Pine River Van Etten Lake Coalition was formed in 2005 for the restoration and protection of the Pine River Van Etten Lake Watershed. The voluntary groups consistes of private landowners, conservation groups, agencies and non-profit organizations. They meet on a quarterly basis to assess resource needs, prioritize projects and compile data. They also serve as the forum for public input, administer resource meetings and track inmplemetation efforts of the watershed managment plan. Partners involved in the Coalition include

Alcona Conservation District
Iosco Conservation District
Van Etten Lake Association
Huron Pines
USDA Forest Service
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Michigan State University Extension
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
USDA Farm Service Agency
Northeast Michigan Council of Governments
District Health Department #2
Alcona County Commissioners
Iosco County Commissioners
Alcona County Road Commission
Iosco County Drain Commission 
Oscoda, Curtis, Greenbush, Gustin, Harrisville, Hawes, Mikado and Millen Townships
Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program
Sprinkler Lake Outdoor Education Center

Pine River/Van Etten Lake Watershed Facts: 

187,000 acres
372 river miles
10 inland lakes
6,404 acres of wetland
Home to the Common Loon, Bald Eagle and Kirtland's Warbler