CHAPTER 3
NATURAL RESOURCES
Climate
frost for Alpena County in the fall is October
4th. The Great Lakes tend to cool the air in
the spring and early summer, while fall and
early winter tends to be warmed.
Information about the local climate is helpful
in understanding building code
requirements, utility depths, planning for
agricultural growing seasons, and energy
usage needs.
The Midwestern Regional Climate Center (a
cooperative program between the National
Climate Data Center and the Illinois State
Water Survey in Champaign, Illinois) has
collected weather data from 1971 to 2000
for locations across the nine-state Midwest
region of the United States. The annual
climate summary of the Long Rapids
Township area is summarized in Table 3-1.
The climate information was recorded from
a weather station located at Alpena County
Regional Airport in nearby Wilson
Township.
Long Rapids Township's climatic conditions
are similar to those across northern Lower
Michigan, long cold winters and moderate
warm summers. However, the proximity to
Lake Huron serves to moderate
temperature extremes in comparison to
inland communities. Because of lake effect,
the Township typically experiences the first
frost four to six weeks after it occurs further
inland in communities like Gaylord or
Atlanta. The average date of the first killing
Table 3-1
Average Annual Climate Summary
Alpena County Regional Airport
Average January minimum temperature
9.5oF
Average January maximum temperature
26.1 oF
Average January temperature
17.8 oF
Average July minimum temperature
54.5 oF
Average July maximum temperature
79.0 oF
Average July temperature
66.7 oF
o
Average annual days below 0 F
19.6 days
o
Average annual days above 90 F
6.2 days
Average annual rainfall
28.4 inches
Average annual snowfall
85.9 inches
Source: Midwestern Regional Climate Center, Champaign Illinois; Recorded data averaged
during the years 1971 through 2000.
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Geology
period, called the Wisconsin era, created
the landscape we know today. The glacier
left behind boulders, rocks, cobble, sand,
gravel, silt, clay, and loam. In some areas,
the material was deposited in unsorted
masses called till plains, ground moraines,
and end moraines. Water flowing from the
melting glaciers also sorted materials,
creating outwash channels, sand deltas,
kames, and eskers. Fine materials,
captured in the fast moving glacial
meltwater, settled to the bottom of
expansive glacial lakes creating lacustrine
clay and silt plains. Figure 3-1 (from Glacial
Lakes around Michigan by W. R. Farrand)
shows the formation of glacial landforms.
The geology of Alpena County, as well as the
entire northern Lower Peninsula, can be
described in terms of the surface geology and
bedrock geology. The rolling hills, river
valleys, swamps and lakes were created by
the retreating continental glacier some
12,000 years ago. Beneath this mantel of
glacial deposits lays a foundation of layered
sedimentary bedrock. This section will
describe the glacial landforms or quaternary
geology and the underlying bedrock
geology.
Quaternary Geology
Starting some 2 million years ago, during
the Pleistocene era, continental glaciers
formed in the Hudson Bay area. Several
times, over this two million year period,
massive sheets of ice built up and inched
their way south across what is today
Michigan. The massive ice sheets, more
than one mile thick, advanced in a southerly
direction, bulldozing their way across the
landscape. The glacier pushed material in
front of it, incorporated rocks and soil into
the debris-laden ice and scraped, ground,
and broke apart the sedimentary bedrock of
the Michigan Basin.
At the front of the massive retreating
glaciers, large streams originated from the
melting ice. Debris-laden water carved
through moraines creating wide
drainageways and outwash channels,
sometimes filling in low areas and creating
wide outwash plains. The outwash plain is
dominated by water sorted sand and gravel
deposits. Many lakes, streams, creeks, and
wetlands are found in these ancient glacial
drainage channels.
As the continental glaciers melted, huge
blocks of ice became separated from the
retreating ice front. The ice blocks became
embedded in the glacial debris deposited by
the retreating glacier. The embedded ice
blocks eventually melted and left
depressions (kettle holes), which are
today’s inland lakes and associated
wetlands.
Each advance and retreat of the continental
glaciers took tens of thousands of years.
This recurring process shaped and
reshaped the land, obliterating and then
creating hills, valleys, rivers and lakes,
swamps and marshes. The last glacial
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FIGURE 3-1: Formation of Glacial Landforms
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Bedrock Geology
Sinkhole areas are often especially
vulnerable to pollution. Over the years
sinkholes have been used as dump areas.
The accumulation of refuse is especially
dangerous, because of the direct
connection to the groundwater, which
usually exists in a sinkhole. Local action to
protect and preserve sinkholes is
recommended both for their scenic value
and as a groundwater quality protection
measure.
The foundation of the Lower Peninsula
beneath the thin mantel of glacial deposits
consists of layers of sedimentary bedrock
that were created during the upper and lower
Devonian ages of the Paleozoic Era. The
bedrock was formed in ancient seas which
covered the area some 345 to 405 million
years ago. Shallow marine seas deposited
layers of silt, clay, sediments, marine
animals, plants, coral, and other calcareous
materials. These deposits formed shale,
limestone, and dolomite bedrock.
In Long Rapids Township, approximately 22
known sinkholes are mapped on Figure 3-3.
Most sinkholes, except for those mentioned
below, are on private property and are not
accessible to the general public. The most
well-known are the Steven Twin Sinks and
the Bruski Sink, both located in Section 8 in
the northwest portion of the Township, just
off Leer Road. Both sinkhole locations are
owned and managed by the Michigan Karst
Conservancy, based in Ann Arbor.
One important feature of the regional
bedrock is the occurrence of sinkholes and
underground streams. As groundwater
flows through cracks and fissures in the
bedrock, the limestone gradually dissolves,
and the openings are widened. Over a long
period of time underground caverns form,
and the ceilings become thinner. The
ceiling collapses when it becomes too thin
to support the weight above, thus forming a
sinkhole. "Karst" is the scientific term used
to describe a type of topography that is
formed in dissolved limestone, dolomite, or
gypsum and is characterized by sinkholes,
caves, and underground drainage systems.
Karst is also a term used to describe a very
distinct terrain as well as the process by
which it formed. Figure 3-2 illustrates karst
features.
The Stevens Twin Sinks Preserve is open to
the public and features an interpretive
nature trail. The Bruski Sink was subject to
illegal dumping for decades. Since the
Conservancy acquired the property, a major
clean up has occurred eliminating the most
visible trash, and a barrier fence has been
constructed around the rim of the sinkhole.
Karst features are present in several
northern Michigan counties, but are most
prevalent and have the greatest number of
exposed features in Presque Isle and
Alpena Counties. In addition to providing an
interesting geographic feature, sinkholes
also can host unusual plant communities.
The relatively moist terrain with bedrock at
or near the surface and the partially
subterranean shaded location provide an
environment, which sustains vegetation not
found in the surrounding surface areas.
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FIGURE 3-2: Karst Topography
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Figure 3-3, Sinkhole Locations
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Topography
map, because they may present
development challenges.
The topography of Long Rapids Township
ranges from just less than 700 feet above
sea level at the Thunder Bay River in the
southeastern portion of the Township to 825
feet above sea level in the northwestern
portion of the Township. The
accompanying map (Map 3) shows the
topography of the Township on ten meter
(33 foot) contour lines.
Because of the prevalence of agricultural
land use in Long Rapids Township, the map
also shows prime farmland soils, farmland
soils of local importance, and prime
farmland soils if drained.
There are some occurrences of steep
slopes in excess of ten percent. However,
these areas are few and limited in Long
Rapids Township. Most of the Township is
characterized by gently rolling topography,
which is suitable for most types of
development.
While soil condition information discussed in
this report can be used for general guides
for the planning process, it should not be
used for development of specific sites.
More detailed soil and vegetation
information for specific sites may be
obtained from Soil Survey of Alpena
County, Michigan by contacting the Natural
Resources Conservation Service for Alpena
County.
Soils
Woodlands
Soil characteristics help to define the land's
capacity to support certain types of land
uses. Soils most suitable for development
purposes are well drained and are not
subject to a high water table. Adequate
drainage is important to minimizing
stormwater impacts and the efficient
operation of septic drainfields. Adequate
depth to the water table is necessary to
prevent groundwater contamination from
septic systems or other non-point source
runoff. A high water table also limits the
construction of basements. Though civil
engineering techniques can be employed to
improve drainage and maintain adequate
separation from the water table, such
techniques are expensive to construct and
maintain.
In addition to the scenic characteristics of
woodlands, forested areas provide habitat
for wildlife, protect the soil from erosion, and
act as a buffer from noise on heavily
traveled highways. State forest land in
Long Rapids Township encompasses more
than 5,600 acres, or about 16 percent of the
Township. Most of the state land is located
on the eastern side of the Township. In
addition, privately owned forested lands,
some of which are used for hunting
purposes, can be found throughout the
Township.
Forested areas include both upland forests
and lowland forests. The dominant upland
forest associations are northern hardwoods
(sugar maple, beech and basswood),
aspen/white birch, pine (white and red), and
oak (red and white). Lowland forest species
include lowland conifers such as northern
white cedar, black spruce, and eastern
tamarack and lowland hardwoods such as
black ash, slippery elm, and red maple. For
reference, forested land in Long Rapids
Township can be noted on Map 5 (Existing
Land Use) in Chapter 5.
Map 4 illustrates specific soil conditions,
which may pose constraints to building
construction. The map shows hydric or
wetland type soils scattered throughout the
Township and in areas generally adjacent to
the Thunder Bay River. Some of these
areas may be considered unbuildable.
Although very limited, soils with slopes
greater than ten percent are noted on the
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Map 3 Topography
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Map 4 Soil Conditions
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Wetlands
Each watershed has its own tributary
streams within the Township. Bean Creek,
Gaffney Creek, along with a few other unnamed tributaries flow into the Thunder Bay
River in the southern portion of the
Township. Erskine Creek flows into the
North Branch of the Thunder Bay River in
the northern portion of the Township. Water
resources are shown on Map 2 (Base
Features) in Chapter 1.
A wetland is land where water is found,
either on the surface or near the surface, at
any time during the year. Poorly drained
soils and water-loving vegetation also may
be present. Wetlands are often referred to
as marshes, swamps or bogs. Residents of
Michigan are becoming increasingly more
aware of the value of wetlands. Beyond
their aesthetic value, wetlands improve
water quality of lakes and streams by
filtering polluting nutrients, organic
chemicals and toxic heavy metals.
Wetlands are closely related to high
groundwater tables and serve to discharge
and recharge aquifers. Additionally,
wetlands support wildlife, and wetland
vegetation protects shorelines from erosion.
In planning for the preservation of a natural
river, two factors must be considered. First
is the actual water and stream bank.
Bridges, dredging, bank stabilization, and
home building are some obvious
development factors that can have drastic
effects on the stream. Secondly, the area in
the first few hundred feet adjacent to either
side of the water can have direct effects on
the stream. Removal of trees and
vegetation, disturbing the soil conditions,
home building, and diversion of tributary
streams are some obvious factors that can
directly impact a natural river.
Wetland areas in Long Rapids Township
are typically associated with old glacial
drainageways, and can be noted near or
adjacent to rivers and their tributaries.
Wetland areas are noted on Map 5 in
Chapter 5.
In order to prevent degradation of areas
adjacent to the waterway, it is
recommended that a “greenbelt” be
established through local zoning controls.
Water Resources
Long Rapids Township abounds with a
large amount of high quality streams and
rivers. Generally, there are two watersheds,
the Thunder Bay River and the North
Branch of the Thunder Bay River. Both are
part of the larger Thunder Bay River
Watershed.
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Sport fishing is popular along the Thunder
Bay River. The Fisheries Division of the
MDNR maintains a routine walleye and
steelhead fish planting program for the river.
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