Ottawa County Water Quality Monitoring

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has awarded nearly $1 million to the Ottawa Conservation District to launch a countywide Water Quality Monitoring Initiative in partnership with the Ottawa County Water Resources Commissioner’s office. Supported by the ODC Network, this five-year effort (2024–2029) will expand water quality sampling, habitat surveys, and land use assessments across all Ottawa County watersheds. The project’s primary goal is to protect and improve both surface and groundwater by strengthening existing data, identifying gaps, and guiding future pollutant reduction strategies.

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The Initiative will measure a wide range of indicators, including E. coli, nutrients, chlorides, sediments, and water chemistry. Biological surveys of fish and macroinvertebrate populations will help assess stream health, while road-stream crossing and agricultural tillage surveys will provide insights into erosion, habitat connectivity, and land management practices. In addition, lakes such as Macatawa, Spring Lake, Crockery Lake, and Little Black Lake will undergo targeted monitoring to track conditions, identify pollutant sources, and inform the creation of lake and watershed management plans.

Findings from this Initiative will help land managers and community members better understand current watershed conditions and prioritize restoration efforts. The data will also serve as a foundation for public education, encouraging residents to adopt water-friendly practices while increasing transparency through public mapping and accessible resources. Beyond local engagement, the expanded data collection will strengthen Ottawa County’s ability to secure state and federal grant funding for long-term conservation and water quality improvements.