Portage Lake Watershed Forever

Portage Lake Watershed Forever

The Portage Lake Watershed is located in Manistee County, Michigan, and encompasses 21 square miles (15,808 acres) including portions of Onekama, Bear Lake, Manistee, and Brown townships as well as the Village of Onekama. Portage Lake comprises 13 percent of the total surface area of the watershed. Seven named creeks and several unnamed creeks and drains feed Portage Lake, which is connected to Lake Michigan by a manmade channel on its west side.

The Portage Lake Watershed Forever Plan began in 2006 as a local initiative by residents, public officials, nonprofit organizations, and business leaders aided by the Manistee County Community Foundation and Manistee Economic Development Office, all of whom recognize the importance of protecting and enhancing this natural resource for the future quality of life and economic well-being of the area. At the beginning of the planning process, more than 50 individuals, organizations, agencies, and businesses signed the Portage Lake Watershed Forever Partnership Agreement, which contained principles that helped guide the development as well as the expected outcomes of the plan.