The Land and Water Connection

Daily, each of us live the land and water connection. How we manage our lawn, take care of our cars, and dispose of our household hazardous waste products all have an impact on our surface and ground water resources. We all live in a watershed…and what we do in that watershed matters. The Watershed Council is here to help us all realize the land/water connection…and make sound choices to ensure that our activities on the land promote the protection of our waters.

Ground water is our "hidden water resource."
Northern Michigan has rich ground water resources, thanks to the fractured limestone, bedrock and rich deposits of sands, silts, and gravels left by ancient glaciers. Water becomes ground water when it percolates down through the soils. Northern Michigan's trout streams and high quality lakes depend on inputs of cold, clean ground water. Nearly 90% of Northern Michigan's residents rely on ground water for their drinking water. Just like with surface water, what we do on the land impacts ground water. Streets, parking lots, roofs, and other impervious surfaces stop water from percolating into the ground reducing ground water resources and increasing the chances of flooding in surface waters. If water is exposed to contaminants on its way into the ground, it carries those contaminants into the ground water. Ground water is very expensive to clean once it's contaminated.

The critical nature of ground water protection is being highlighted in Harbor Springs, where a wellhead protection project is currently underway. Harbor Springs, known for it's excellent water, draws ground water from three wells within the city limits. The zone of influence where surface water percolates into the ground before it can be drawn by the wells into the system is an area about seven square miles. In order to protect the health of all Harbor Springs residents, hundreds of property owners throughout the entire seven square mile infiltration area must become aware of this connection and be vigilant stewards.

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