ACCESS INVENTOR AND IMPROVEMENT PLAN Prepared by: Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region Financial Assistance for the project was provided, in part, by the Michigan Coastal Management Program, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Project Overview... 1 What is a Water Trail?... 1 Why the Western U.P. Water Trail?... 1 Benefits of Water Trails... 3 Project Goal... 5 Planning... 6 Shoreline Segments West to East... 6 Water Trail Analysis... 10 Inventory West to East... 11 Wisconsin/Michigan Border to North Entry Portage Canal... 11 North Entry Portage Canal around Keweenaw to South Entry... 14 Portage Canal North to South Entry... 18 South Entry to Baraga County to Baraga County/Marquette County Line... 26 Survey Results...29 Needs Analysis... 30 Recommendations... 31 Action Plan... 32
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PROJECT OVERVIEW WHAT IS A WATER TRAIL? By definition, a water trail (also known as a blueway) is a network of launch and landing sites, rest areas and attractions for users of human powered water craft on lakes and rivers. On land, trails have distinct surfaces or walkways; on water a trail is the entire water surface, a surface that is constantly changing with the natural flow, currents, water traffic and weather. Picture: Conglomerate shoreline provides opportunity exploration in Keweenaw County. Photo Credit: Bill Marlor WH THE WESTERN U.P. WATER TRAIL? The counties of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon enjoy over 319 miles of Lake Superior and Portage Waterway shoreline. Varying from sandy beach to rocky shore and everything in between, the shoreline is ecologically rich and offers a 1 P age
very scenic landscape, much of it undeveloped and only accessible from the water. The best way to experience this wonderful asset is with a paddle in hand. The water trail concept is not new to the Western Upper Peninsula region. Since 1996, the Keweenaw Water Trail has been promoted by enthusiasts in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties through a website and brochure. The Keweenaw Water Trail has been a great success and has encouraged thousands to explore the coastal area from the Portage Lake Lift Bridge to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. To the east, in nearby Marquette County, the Hiawatha Water Trail has been promoted to water users, and in Wisconsin, the Superior Water Trail is a popular destination for paddlers. Between these developed water trails are the gaps that we hope to close with this project. The project area includes all of the shoreline from the Michigan/Wisconsin border on the west to the Baraga County/Marquette County line on the east (See Figure 1: Western U.P. Water Trail). Michigan also is also currently working on a statewide effort to further develop, promote and protect the coastal resources. Figure 1: Western U.P. Water Trail 2 P age
BENEFITS OF WATER TRAILS ECONOMIC Non-motorized boating is a growing activity and the increase in participation has direct benefits to communities that have access to water trails. Businesses that can benefit from water trails include outfitters, lodging establishments, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and miscellaneous stores. Picture: View of endless shoreline from Brockway Mountain Drive. Photo Credit: WUPPDR RECREATION VALUE AND HEALTH Paddling activities are not just for recreation. The health and fitness benefit is another of its attractions. Any activities that improve the health of an individual result in reduced health care costs as regular exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, and depression. Michigan was named the 10th most obese state in the country, according to the eighth annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011, a report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Michigan's adult obesity rate is 30.5 percent and getting people outdoors and on the water is one way to mitigate this problem. 3 P age
STEWARDSHIP Water trail supporters and users are a constituency that advocate for and are active in resource protection. The water trail community supports and promotes the Leave No Trace code of outdoor ethics. An educated trail user respects water and shoreline habitat and provides a mechanism to identify and report environmental damage. The website www.lnt.org provides extensive information on minimizing impacts to the environment. EDUCATIONAL Water trails provide opportunities for hands on learning. Water trails offer an opportunity for outdoor classrooms that connect students to the environment. Themes that can be explored along the water s edge are not only related to the environment but also the history of commerce, industry and transportation. Picture: Remnants of Quincy Smelter operation on the shoreline of Portage Waterway. Photo Credit: National Service 4 P age
PROJECT GOAL The goal of the Western U.P. Water Trail is to increase access, encourage stewardship and promote coastal recreation along the Lake Superior shore. The project has four components to accomplish this goal: Inventory Identify existing access points, facilities and attractions that are an asset to the proposed water trail. Identify Gaps Develop a plan for areas where access is limited and facilities do not exist for the water trail user. Engage Survey users to help identify favorite routes and assets to include in the project, areas in need of improvement, and ideas for promotion. Develop Website - A website is the natural outreach component to potential water trail users. The website will be used as a resource to both promote and educate users about recreating and protecting the Lake Superior coast. The website: www.paddlelakesuperior.org is designed to encourage people to explore paddling in the Western Upper Peninsula and provides numerous resources for the beginner to the advanced paddler. Picture: Kayaks waiting to launch along Lake Superior s shore. Photo Credit: Keweenaw Paddling Club 5 P age
PLANNING SHORELINE SEGMENTS WEST TO EAST The project has been broken down into four study areas. Geography allows a distinct separation to include the following: Wisconsin/Michigan Border to North Entry Portage Canal (103 miles) Starting on the Wisconsin/Michigan border, this section of the Western U.P. Water Trail features the Montreal River, Black River Harbor, Porcupine Mountains and Agate Beach. Much of the shoreline is layered bedrock interspersed with sections of sandy shoreline. Paddlers can explore up river to the falls on the Montreal River, Black River and Ontonagon River. At the far eastern end of this segment, the red cliffs of Freda stand in contrast to the rest of the shoreline. Picture: Looking north towards the Porcupine Mountains. Photo Credit: Dean Juntunen 6 P age
North Entry Portage Canal around Keweenaw to South Entry (Keweenaw Water Trail - 110 miles) The Keweenaw Peninsula in its truest sense, this section composes the Keweenaw Water Trail and features the Island of the Keweenaw. Starting at the North Entry of Portage Canal, McLain State and heading northeast, the shoreline provides a mix of sand and rocky shores. Near Eagle Harbor and stretching to the Keweenaw Point, the shoreline becomes primarily Copper Harbor conglomerate with interesting inlets and rock formations to play around. Continuing around the point of the Keweenaw, the shoreline becomes a mix of rock with stretches of dense woods and wonderful sand beaches including Keystone Bay and Bete Grise. Other highlights include the Mouth of the Montreal River, shoreline sea stacks and for adventurous (and well-prepared) paddlers, Manitou Island off the tip of the Keweenaw. Rabbit Island, cliffs along Jacobsville and Gay Stamp Sands are also destinations along this stretch. Picture: Mouth of the Montreal River. Photo Credit: Bill Marlor 7 P age
Portage Canal North to South Entry (Keweenaw Water Trail - 24 miles) - The protected Portage Canal, an alternative shipping route to circumnavigating the Keweenaw in rough waters, offers a variety of launch locations and access to town amenities and can be a great first-time outing for new paddlers. Paddlers can explore the water s edge along the historic Quincy Smelting site, the inland waters of Torch and Portage Lake, the fingers of the Chassell Sloughs and more along this wonderful stretch. Picture: Portage Lift Bridge and Portage Waterway. Photo Credit: WUPPDR 8 P age
South Entry to Baraga County to Baraga County/Marquette County Line (72 miles) - This stretch of the water trail is very diverse, offering red cliffs that rise from the water s edge, the developed landscape along the shore of the Villages of L Anse and Baraga, the unspoiled rocky edges of Point Abbaye, the Huron Islands and remote waterfront seasonal communities of northern Baraga County. To the east are Marquette County and the shores of the remote, private Huron Mountain Club and the start of the Hiawatha Water Trail. Picture : Sandstone cliffs at South Entry of the Portage Waterway. Photo Credit: Keweenaw Paddling Club 9 P age
WATER TRAIL ANALSIS The following site inventory and maps contain specific locations where water access is available to the public. Water access means any launches, carry-in points accessible by vehicle or sites available to the public from the water. Additional parcels of land where water access is available may not be specified in the inventory table, but they will appear on the maps because the access points are not readily identifiable by name. Parcel that are part of the State Forest are open to the public for dispersed primitive camping with a permit. Primitive camping is also available in the Porcupine Mountains State at specified locations along the shoreline according to use guidelines. Additional parcels are highlighted by ownership on the maps. Picture: Sandy beach at the Mouth of the Huron River. Photo Credit: WUPPDR 10 P age
INVENTOR WEST TO EAST WISCONSIN/MICHIGAN BORDER TO NORTH ENTR PORTAGE CANAL Starting on the western border of Gogebic County, the first access to Lake Superior is near the mouth of the Montreal River on the Wisconsin side of the river at Saxon Harbor. BEGINNING IN GOGEBIC COUNT (HEADING EAST): Name Nearest Community Facility Type Shelter Camping Toilets Vehicle Access GOGEBIC COUNT Little Girls Point Ironwood County Black River Harbor Bessemer NFS Presque Isle State Wakefield Campground ONTONAGON COUNT Union Bay State Silver City Campground Big Iron River Silver City DNR Launch Green Picnic Day Ontonagon Area Use Riverfront and Marina Ontonagon Marina Ontonagon Village Day Ontonagon Beach Use Ontonagon Twp. Ontonagon Township HOUGHTON COUNT Misery River DNR Toivola Mouth Launch Stanton Township Twp. Toivola North Entry Twp. Houghton Township Notes Porcupine Mtns. Porcupine Mtns. Porcupine Mtns. 11 P age
Figure 2: State Line to Porcupine Mountains Map 12 P age
Figure 3: Porcupine Mountains to Redridge Map 13 P age
NORTH ENTR PORTAGE CANAL AROUND KEWEENAW TO SOUTH ENTR Name Nearest Facility Vehicle Shelter Camping Toilets Community Type Access McLain State Calumet State Calumet Township Calumet Day Use Tamarack Waterworks Calumet Day Use KEWEENAW COUNT Mouth of Black and Hills Creeks Ahmeek Preserve N Gratiot River County Ahmeek County Sunset Bay Campground Ahmeek Private Veale Eagle River Day Use Eagle River Beach Eagle River Day Use Notes Not developed Not developed Great Sand Bay Cat Harbor Eagle Harbor Beach Eagle Harbor Marina Esrey Agate Harbor Island Lizzadro Shoreline Preserve Hebard Hunters Point Porters Island Copper Harbor Marina Copper Harbor Fort Wilkins Historical Horseshoe Harbor Club Superior Eagle Harbor Eagle Harbor Eagle Harbor Eagle Harbor Eagle Harbor Eagle Harbor Copper Harbor Copper Harbor Copper Harbor Copper Harbor Copper Harbor Copper Harbor Copper Harbor Copper Harbor Copper Harbor Day Use Day Use Day Use DNR Launch Day Use Public Land Preserve Day Use Day Use State DNR Marina Public Dock State Preserve Shelter in town Toilets at marina Permission to camp Facilities in town Preserve Camp open 14 P age
Name Nearest Facility Vehicle Shelter Camping Toilets Community Type Access High Rock Bay Copper State Harbor Land Manitou Island Copper Harbor Island Keystone Bay Copper State Harbor Land Big Bay Copper State Harbor Land Fish Cove Copper State Harbor Land Montreal River Lac LaBelle State Land Smith Fisheries Lac LaBelle Private Bete Grise Beach Lac LaBelle Day Use Lac LaBelle Marina Lac LaBelle DNR Marina Roadside s Lac Labelle County Burnette Gay County Tobacco River Gay Gay Stamp Sands Gay HOUGHTON COUNT Traverse Bay Beach Gay Day Use Grand Traverse Bay Harbor Gay Harbor Schoolcraft Twp. Gay Township White City Lake Linden Day Use South Entry East Boat Ramp Chassell DNR Launch Notes 15 P age
Figure 4: Redridge to Horseshoe Harbor Map 16 P age
Figure 5: Horseshoe Harbor to County Line Map 17 P age
PORTAGE CANAL NORTH TO SOUTH ENTR Name Nearest Facility Vehicle Shelter Camping Toilets Community Type Access Lily Pond Harbor Hancock Day Use Swedetown Creek Day Hancock Mouth Use Hancock City Hancock Campground Hancock Beach Hancock Day Use Porvoo Hancock Day Use Houghton Waterfront Houghton City Houghton County County Houghton Marina Marina Dollar Bay Ramp Dollar Bay DNR Launch Nara Nature Houghton Day Use Hubbell Boat Day Hubbell Ramp Use Torch Lake Boat Lake Day Ramp Linden Use Lake Linden Lake Marina Linden Marina Lake Linden Lake Village Recreation Area Linden Chassell Boat Day Ramp/Centennial Chassell Use Sturgeon River State Chassell Sloughs Land Mouth of Snake State Chassell River Land South Entry West DNR Chassell Boat Ramp Launch B&D Marina Chassell Private Notes Shelter Nearby Steep Launch 18 P age
Figure 6: North Entry to High Point Map 19 P age
Figure 7: High Point to Hancock/Houghton 20 P age
Figure 8: Hancock/Houghton to Pilgrim Point 21 P age
Figure 9: Portage Lake Map 22 P age
Figure 10: Dreamland to Torch Lake Map 23 P age
Figure 11: Torch Lake Map 24 P age
Figure 12: Snake River to Keweenaw Bay Map 25 P age
South Entry to Baraga County to Baraga County/Marquette County Line Name Ojibwa Campground Baraga Municipal Marina Baraga State L Anse Waterfront Pequaming Boat Launch Second Sand Beach Point Abbaye Witz s Marina and Campground Mouth of Huron River Nearest Community Facility Type Shelter Camping Toilets Vehicle Access Baraga Tribal Baraga Marina Baraga L Anse L Anse L Anse L Anse State Day Use DNR Launch Day Use County N Skanee Private Skanee State Land N Notes 26 P age
Figure 13: County Line to Peterson Creek Map 27 P age
Figure 14: Peterson Creek to Huron River Map 28 P age
SURVE RESULTS An online survey was widely distributed and promoted to water trail enthusiasts in the Western Upper Peninsula to gather information and input. Completed in June 2012, there were 65 total respondents. Of the total respondents, 26.2 % paddle weekly in the region, 25.6% paddle monthly and 24.6% paddle annually. The level of expertise amongst the respondents was 58.1% intermediate, 8.1% expert and 14.5% certified instructors. Of the types of watercraft owned by respondents, kayaks (81.3%) are the most popular. The next highest is canoes at 34.4%, with ownership of other types of paddle boats less than 4%. Users indicated that friends and family (84.1%) were their partners on most excursions. Respondents included locals and others from as far away as Phildelphia, Nebraska and Northern Alabama, but all noted connections to the area. The survey included the following questions: 1. Do you paddle regularly along the shoreline of Lake Superior in the Western U.P. or on the Portage Lake Waterway? 2. How often do you paddle on Lake Superior? 3. What is your level of paddling experience? 4. Do you own one or more small boats that you use for paddling? If so, what type of boat(s)? 5. If you do not own your own watercraft, do you typically rent or borrow one? 6. With whom do you most often paddle? 7. Do you live in the Western Upper Peninsula or do you travel to paddle here? 8. Do you paddle in other parts of the Upper Peninsula (Central or Eastern U.P.)? 9. What types of amenities do you think would be most important for the success of a Western U.P. Lake Superior Water Trail? 10. What types of features would be interesting to you along a Western U.P. Lake Superior Water Trail? 11. Please list a few places along the Western U.P. Lake Superior shoreline that would be important or interesting for inclusion in the Western U.P. Lake Superior Water Trail. 12. From where do you most frequently launch your boat? 13. Where are some of your favorite routes in the Western Upper Peninsula? 14. Please advise of any potential hazards or sensitive areas that you know of that need to be considered in the design of a Western U.P. Water Trail along Lake Superior shorelines in the Western U.P. 29 P age
15. If you have experienced any problems paddling in the Western U.P. Lake Superior waterways, please tell us about your experience. 16. What opportunities do you see in the creation of a Western U.P. Lake Superior Water Trail? 17. What challenges do you see in the implementation of the Western U.P. Lake Superior Water Trail? 18. This project will include the development of a website with information and printable maps. What features/tools do you find most valuable and would suggest to include on the website? 19. This project will include the development of a series of maps. What features do you find most valuable on maps and would suggest to include on Western U.P. Lake Superior Water Trail maps? 20. Please provide any other comments or suggestions regarding the proposed Western U.P. Lake Superior Water Trail. NEEDS ANALSIS A review of the inventory of public access sites and survey results reveals extensive public access to the water is available throughout the Western Upper Peninsula. A goal of reviewing and analyzing the information is to identify segments of the trail that need enhancement through site acquisition and/or improvement. Ideally public access at a minimum of 10 miles including access to water, access to shoreline from the water and publicly available camping sites is desired. The following gaps in coverage were identified: Ontonagon Village to North Canal Township There are long stretches of remote lands with limited public access. Gratiot River to Copper Harbor Public camping is very limited. (Agate Harbor Island is owned by County and primitive camping is allowed but not well known.) Tip of Keweenaw - Designated campsites are limited but DNR-Tip of the Keweenaw Planning identified a plan for more. All areas - Readily available or dedicated water trail public camping sites are the biggest need, as many of the official campsites/campgrounds require registration and can be full in high-demand times. 30 P age
RECOMMENDATIONS Based on review of existing facilities, survey results and input from regular water trail users, a number of recommendations in four categories were made for the Western Upper Peninsula Water Trail: Facilities, Resources, Partnerships and Promotion. FACILITIES Develop or designate drop-in/dedicated water trail campsites at highdemand locations. RESOURCES Provide downloadable maps and GPS coordinates for the trail, readily available information or links. PARTNERSHIPS Work with tourism bureaus, local land owners, businesses and paddling organizations to improve and promote all aspects of water trails. PROMOTION Ensure tourism websites and other related websites point to www.paddlelakesuperior.org 31 P age
ACTION PLAN To move the recommendations forward, a number of specific action items have been identified. To support the action items this plan will be distributed to local governments so they can consider inclusion in their master and recreational plans. Facilities: Resources: Promotion: Action Item: WUPPDR will send a letter to local units of government to encourage them to include water trail facilities in recreation plans and projects and specifically consider designated sites at established park facilities. Timeline: Letter 2012, Projects Ongoing. Action Item: WUPPDR will launch the www.paddlelakesuperior.org website that will include downloadable maps and GPS coordinates. Timeline: 2012 Action Item: The watertrail and website will be promoted throughout the Western Upper Peninsula via outreach (press release and social media) with user groups and tourism organizations. Timeline: 2012 Partnerships: Action Item: Through the www.paddlelakesuperior.org website, users will be encouraged to connect through use of social media. Timeline: Ongoing Photo Credit: Keweenaw Paddling Club 32 P age