Mill Creek is the Huron River’s largest tributary. It flows into the Huron from the south in Dexter. Its watershed contains hundreds of lakes, wetlands and streams that provide important habitat for diverse plant and animal species, plus recreation opportunities for residents and visitors. The Pinckney and Waterloo State Recreation Areas figure prominently in the northwestern part of the watershed. The Nature Conservancy includes this part of the Mill Creek watershed among its aquatic conservation priorities in Michigan.

Mill Creek has seen great environmental successes and also great challenges. The creek has historically suffered from intensive agriculture, which can cause soil erosion, sedimentation, and fertilizer runoff. More recently, Mill Creek is right in the middle of some of the fastest-growing communities in Michigan. As housing developments spread out from Ann Arbor, Chelsea and Dexter, Mill Creek has seen even more erosion and phosphorous pollution, as well as erratic stream flows resulting from a network of drains and development.

At the same time, Mill Creek is the scene of many exciting projects and successes.  HRWC works with our partners in the area to implement the watershed management plan for Mill Creek, including the local communities and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner, Road Commission and Public and Environmental Health departments.

Projects on Mill Creek:

• Removing the Mill Pond Dam and Restoring Mill Creek
• Stabilizing Streambanks with Bioengineering
• Detecting and Eliminating Failing Septics
• Monitoring for Water Quality
• Monitoring for Stream Habitat and Aquatic Insects

For more information about activities in the Mill Creek watershed, contact Elizabeth Riggs.