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Reconnaissance of the Pere Marquette River, a cold-water river in the central part of Michigan's southern peninsula, 1971

By: Hendrickson, G.E., and Doonan, C.J.

Abstract

Sheet 1 of this two-page hydrologic atlas presents information on streamflow and water quality for the Pere Marquette River in Michigan. Sheet 2 describes the physical characteristics of the stream channel, bed, and banks, and shows how these characteristics relate to streamflow, water quality, and recreational use. Measured velocities in the Pere Marquette ranged from less than 1 foot per second in the pools to more than 5 feet per second at rainbow rapids. In a year of average discharge, the stage of the Pere Marquette at the gaging station at Scottville fluctuates only about 3 to 4 feet. Maximum summer water temperatures of the Pere Marquette at Scottville are about 22 deg c (72 deg f). Measured dissolved oxygen ranged from 7.2 to 10.4 mg/liter. This is a normal range for an unpolluted cold-water stream with moderate bottom vegetation. During the period October 1965 to May 1968, the water from the Pere Marquette at the gaging station at Scottville fluctuated in specific conductance between 195 and 360 micromhos. Two possible threats to the recreational values of the Pere Marquette are future contamination from increased waste disposal and pesticides, and degradation of the river banks by excessive cabin development. (WOODARD-USGS)

RECORD ID: 7202784

F&G CODE: 02e; 02k

Publication
Hendrickson, G.E., and Doonan, C.J., 1971, Reconnaissance of the Pere Marquette River, a cold-water river in the central part of Michigan's southern peninsula: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas 384, 2 sheets, scale 1:62,500.

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