Lower Grand Watershed Interactive Tool (WIT)

History of the Watershed

Natural History of the Grand River Watershed

Online Reference Materials

• Grand River Watershed Natural History
• Rock Cycle

Maps and Images

• Quaternary Geology - illustrates the geological history and distribution of depositional environments caused by glaciation
• Population Density (per square mile)
• Presettlement Vegetation - estimates of vegetation in the 1800's
• Natural Features Inventory - highlights areas where endangered species, threatened species, and species of special concern are located
• Urban Areas/Clusters (in existence today)
• Statsgo Soils - determined by a broad based inventory of soil and nonsoil areas that occur in a repeatable pattern on the landscape.
• Regional Landscape Ecosystems
  

Human History of the Grand River Watershed

Online Reference Materials

• History References
  
• Human Impacts
  
• Belknap, Charles E. Steaming Down the Grand. The Yesterdays of Grand Rapids. pp. 56-58.
  
• Baxter, Albert. 1891. History of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. New York & Grand Rapids. Munsell & Company Publishers.
  
  see also: The History of Grand River Boating
  
• "The Rochester of Michigan." [From the Grand River Times, April 18, 1837]

Contact:

Grand Valley Metro Council
40 Pearl St. NW, Ste. 410
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 776-3876
planning@gvmc.org