A watershed is another word for a basin. It is an area of land that drains into a common body of water. When it rains or snow melts, there are many paths the water can take. It can soak into the soil and become groundwater, or enter a storm drain which then flows to a stream, lake, river or, in our case, the Grand Traverse Bay.

Grand Traverse Bay is a nearly pristine bay of Lake Michigan located on the northwest coast of Michigan's lower peninsula. The Bay's watershed encompasses 973 square miles and covers major portions of 4 counties: Grand Traverse, Antrim, Leelanau, and Kalkaska. Minor portions of the watershed are found in Charlevoix and Otsego counties.

The Grand Traverse Bay Watershed consists of the following major drainage basins:

• Elk River Chain of Lakes
• Boardman River
• Mitchell Creek
• Acme Creek
• Ptobego Creek
• Yuba Creek
• East Bay shoreline
• West Bay shoreline
• Old Mission Peninsula

Land use in the watershed is predominantly forest (49%) and agriculture (20%). The other land use cover types are open shrub/grasslands (15%), water (9%) wetlands (1%), and urban (6%).

Rich in land and water resources, the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed is home to more than 109,000 people sharing their living space with black bear, deer, great blue heron, lady slippers and trillium. The watershed boasts scenic bluffs, forests, nearly a hundred inland lakes, several hundred miles of stream (including 55 miles of blue ribbon trout streams), intact wetland systems and globally rare ecosystems.

Traditional uses of watershed resources have included agriculture, tourism and recreation. Cherries and other fruit crops dominate agricultural production in the region, and are harvested for the global market.

Northwestern Michigan, also known as the Cherry Capital of the World, produces half the state's tart cherry crop and more than 80% of its sweet cherries. The National Cherry Festival in Traverse City attracts more than 100,000 tourists each year; celebrating the harvest, and reveling with festivities over an eight-day period each summer.

Other tourism and recreational activities include: boating, biking, swimming, skiing, golfing, fishing, and camping. Attracted to the natural beauty of the Bay and its surroundings, tourists from around the world come to enjoy the pleasures of the region, away from the busy rush of more urban areas.

Businesses supporting the above activities include marinas, canoe liveries, bike rentals, ski resorts, hotels, restaurants, and bed & breakfasts off the beaten path for those who enjoy more solitary pleasures.

The area also supports a thriving regional business community representing many economic sectors including, banking, healthcare, retail, light industry and others.

Northern Michigan has experienced phenomenal rates of growth in the past twenty years, both in population and commercial and residential development. Two of the three fastest growing counties in the state, Grand Traverse and Leelanau, are located within our watershed's boundaries.

In addition, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Midwest, with growing numbers of visitors each year. This growth puts tremendous pressure on the area's natural resources, particularly its water resources. Many of the threats to our watershed's environmental health are a direct result of this growth.

There are so many ways to enjoy the Grand Traverse Bay watershed:  abundant water, miles of hiking and biking trails, charming towns, spectacular views and miles of scenic roads.  

For more information about lodging, equipment rental and so much more, check out:  

Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau
Traverse City Chamber of Commerce