05 Presque Isle Flowage 
wildlife viewing | directions and facility information
The marsh marigold is a wetland plant
that bears bright yellow flowers.
Photo: © Ray Rustem
Located in the bottomlands of the Presque Isle River,
this site is an excellent example of the high productivity of wetland
habitats. The flowage is actually a large impoundment. Stretching nearly
6 miles and ranging from one half to three quarters of a mile wide, this
man-mad lake features some 15 miles of shoreline with many unique and
picturesque inlets and bays. All this shoreline provides abundant shallow
habitat for many plants and animals. Wildlife viewing at this site is
probably best done from a canoe or small boat, although limited
opportunities do exist from the shore as well. The dam washed out in the
summer of 2002 due to heavy rains. It was rebuilt in the fall of 2003.
Habitat conditions and wildlife use are expected to return to the original
conditions following restoration of water levels and plant growth.
 Wildlife
Viewing
If undisturbed, bald eagles often
return to the same nest year after year.
Each season, they add more sticks
and material to the nest. An old eagle nest
can weigh as much as a ton!
Photo: David Kenyon, MI DNR
Eagles have nested here in the past
but abandoned the nest when the dam washed out in 2002. When re-flooded,
the productivity of this aquatic system is expected to attract eagles and
ospreys back to nest. This site also offers good viewing of waterfowl and
wading birds like great blue herons and shorebirds from May through
October. A silent, stealthy canoeist may even see the secretive American
bitterns and black terns that call this site home. The best months to see
these birds are June through August.
Portions of this
area are open to public hunting. Contact
the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for hunting seasons and
locations.
|
