Documents

Watershed Management Plan (COMING SOON)

mONITORING (COMING SOON)

Lamberton Creek – HUC code: 040500060507

Size and Location

The Lamberton Creek sub watershed covers the northeastern most reaches of the city of Grand Rapids.  It drains 3,308 acres or 5.2 sq mi and, with its tributaries, is 7.1 stream miles long.  What is considered the main branch starts on private property just south of Knapp Charter Academy on Leffingwell, runs along the north edge of Ball Perkins Park, creates the Huff Park wetland, and eventually enters the Grand at Riverside Park.

Watershed Group

A. Lamberton Creek at Riverside Park B. Lamberton Creek entering the Grand River at Riverside Park

Description

With its location north of town, Lamberton Creek benefited from later development.  In fact, it provided drinking water for local residents via the North Park Water Co until 1960.  It has little industry and agriculture and is open channel except for culverts under roads.  There are two dams - one along a tributary and another on the main branch at the Veterans Home which is in disrepair.  Water quality data, while light, is typical of a largely urban stream.  Its main challenge is from housing development pressure, particularly along Ball Ave.

The Friends of Grand Rapids Parks organization is active in the 3 city parks along Lamberton Creek.  This includes educational events, invasives removal, and even trail building in Ball Perkins as part of the Grand Loop project.  The Land Conservancy of West Michigan also actively manages their 25-acre nature preserve, the Lamberton Lake Fen.  These and other groups are working hard to preserve Lamberton Creek for its ecological benefits and for the continued enjoyment of generations to come.