St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)
St. Joseph River | |
---|---|
Native name | Sakiwäsipi (Miami-Illinois)[1] |
Location | |
Country | United States |
State | Michigan, Indiana |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | Baw Beese Lake |
• location | Hillsdale, Michigan |
• coordinates | 41°54′18″N 084°36′57″W / 41.90500°N 84.61583°W[3] |
• elevation | 1,096 ft (334 m) |
Mouth | Lake Michigan |
• location | St. Joseph, Michigan, and Benton Harbor, Michigan |
• coordinates | 42°06′51″N 086°29′18″W / 42.11417°N 86.48833°W[3] |
• elevation | 581 ft (177 m)[3] |
Length | 206 mi (332 km) |
Discharge | |
• location | mouth |
• average | 5,022.45 cu ft/s (142.220 m3/s) (estimate)[4] |
Basin features | |
Tributaries | |
• left | |
GNIS ID | 1624891 |
The St. Joseph River (known locally as the St. Joe) is a tributary of Lake Michigan with a length of 206 miles (332 km).[5] The river flows in a generally westerly direction through southern Michigan and northern Indiana, United States, to its terminus on the southeast shore of the lake. It drains a primarily rural farming area in the watershed of Lake Michigan. It was enormously important to Native Americans and greatly aided in the colonial exploration, settlement and administration of New France and the nascent United States as a canoe route between Lake Michigan and the watershed of the Mississippi River.
Description of the watershed
The St. Joseph River watershed drains 4,685 square miles (12,130 km2) from 15 counties:
The river follows a zigzag route generally westward across southern Michigan, dipping into northern Indiana. From its headwaters, it flows initially northwest past
There are 190 dams in the St. Joseph River watershed, and 17 on the river mainstem.[7] Most of these dams block fish passage, although fish ladders constructed on the lower dams allow salmonine passage as far as the Twin Branch Dam in Mishawaka, Indiana. But, the fish ladders are not adequate for many native species, such as sturgeon, and the dams tend to be built on the higher gradient portions of the river, which are the most critical river habitats for fish spawning.[8]
History
saakiiweesiipiiwi (Outlet River, also historically spelt Sakiwasipi),
The indigenous trade and navigation networks in the area allowed for extensive trade and movement of people, which allowed early Europeans access to the area in 1675 when
At the end of 1679, La Salle followed indigenous trade routes in the opposite direction of that taken by Marquette; heading up the St. Joseph River and portaging to the Kankakee River, getting as far west on the Illinois River as modern-day
The watershed was later used as
On April 11, 1893, a Lake Michigan seiche (a phenomenon similar to an ocean tsunami) pushed a wall of water, 3 to 5 feet (0.91 to 1.52 m) high, up the river at St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. This raised the level of the river by 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m). The cause of the seiche was unknown, but has been attributed to a sudden squall or change in atmospheric pressure.[13]
South Bend Race Canals
Factories located in
In 1867 the South Bend Hydraulic Company purchased the rights to the East Race canal for $100. In 1903 the ownership of stock, property rights, and property of the South Bend Manufacturing Company on the West Race canal passed to the
Other sources of energy and changes in technology resulted in the canals no longer being used for industrial purposes. In the late 1940s the
In the early 1980s, the East Race canal was re-excavated. It was converted to a man-made whitewater kayaking course, now known as the East Race Waterway.
East Race Waterway
41°40′34″N 86°14′42″W / 41.676°N 86.245°W
In 1984, the abandoned East Race canal in South Bend, whose outlets were both at the river, was converted into the East Race Waterway, North America's first artificial
Historic sites
Two sites in the river basin,
Ecology and conservation
Before European settlement, the watershed was dominated by deciduous forests consisting of maple, ash, oak, elm, walnut, and beech species, along with pockets of white, red and jack pine species. There were also prairies up to several miles across, which were grazed by elk (Cervus canadensis), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), moose (Alces alces), and bison (Bison bison). By 1900 the virgin forests were mostly logged, and the prairies largely converted to agricultural use, as were many drained wetlands.[6]
Among the unique natural features that remain in the watershed are prairie
The wetlands and floodplain forests provide habitat to nearly half of all migratory birds in Indiana and Michigan and are a vital habitat for resident species as well, such as wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), coyote (Canis latrans), fox, beaver (Castor canadensis), mink (Neogale vison), Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), and the rare spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) and northern redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata), both protected by the state of Michigan. The lower Pigeon River is home to the federally endangered Indiana Bat.[6]
In 1969, the
Although completion of fish ladders on the lowest five mainstem dams in 1992 allowed
In 1994, the Friends of the St. Joe River (FotSJR), a non-profit conservation organization, was founded by
Recreation
The St. Joseph River is an exciting trout and salmon sport fishery, encompassing 47 miles (76 km) of river in Michigan and 16 miles (26 km) in Indiana. The economic benefits to local Michigan and Indiana communities are estimated at several million dollars annually.[21]
Canoeists can travel the entire length of the main stem, if they are prepared to portage. Many of the larger tributaries offer excellent opportunities for paddling, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
Cities and towns along the St. Joseph River
Indiana
Michigan
- Benton Harbor
- Berrien Springs
- Buchanan
- Burlington
- Constantine
- Fair Plain
- Hillsdale
- Jonesville
- Litchfield
- Mendon
- Niles
- St. Joseph
- Tekonsha
- Three Rivers
- Union City
- White Pigeon
Dams
A list of major dams on the St. Joseph River.
Name | Height | Purpose | Capacity (MW) | Year | Owner Name | Reservoir Name | Coordinates | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Twin Branch Dam | Hydroelectric | 4.8 | 1903 | AEP Indiana | 41°39′56.98″N 86°7′58.03″W / 41.6658278°N 86.1327861°W | |||
Constantine Dam | Hydroelectric | AEP Michigan | 41°50′49.90″N 85°40′5.96″W / 41.8471944°N 85.6683222°W |
Crossings
Many of the river's crossings are concentrated in the urbanized areas located in the Indiana cities of South Bend, Mishawaka, and Elkhart.
Name | Type | City | County | State | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CSX Grand Rapids Subdivision
|
Railroad | St. Joseph | Berrien | Michigan | |
M-63 (Blossomland Bridge) | Michigan Highway | 42°6′44.44″N 86°28′40.39″W / 42.1123444°N 86.4778861°W | |||
BL I-94
|
Interstate business loop | St. Joseph/Benton Harbor border | |||
Napier Avenue | City Street | St. Joseph/St. Joseph Charter Township border | |||
I-94 | Interstate Highway | Royalton Township/Benton Charter Township border | |||
M-139 | Michigan highway | Royalton Township/Benton Charter Township border | |||
US 31 | US Route | Sodus Township/Oronoko Charter Township border | |||
M-139 (East Ferry Street) | Michigan highway | Berrien Springs | 42°3′29.18″N 86°26′18.35″W / 42.0581056°N 86.4384306°W | ||
US 31 | US Route | Oronoko Charter Township/Berrien Township border | 41°59′8.93″N 86°22′16.64″W / 41.9858139°N 86.3712889°W | ||
Walton Road | County Road | Buchanan/Buchanan Township border | |||
US 31 | US Route | Niles Charter Township | |||
Amtrak Michigan Line | Railroad | Niles | |||
M-139 | Michigan Highway | ||||
US 12 (Pulaski Highway) | US Route | Niles Charter Township/Bertrand Township border | |||
West Bertrand Road | County road | Niles Charter Township/Bertrand Township border | 41°46′28.13″N 86°16′1.93″W / 41.7744806°N 86.2672028°W | ||
Auten Road | County road | German Township/Clay Township border | St. Joseph | Indiana | |
Darden Road | County road | German Township/Clay Township border | |||
US 31 Bus. (Cleveland Road)
|
City street | Clay Township/South Bend border | |||
I-90 (Indiana Toll Road)
|
Interstate Highway | South Bend | |||
Coal Line Trail rail trail | Former railroad | ||||
West Angela Boulevard | City Street | ||||
US 31 Bus. (Michigan Street)
|
City street | ||||
East LaSalle Street | City Street | ||||
East Colfax Avenue | City Street | ||||
East Jefferson Boulevard | City Street | ||||
SR 23 (South Eddy Street) | City Street | ||||
East Sample Street | City Street | ||||
Railroad | Railroad | ||||
Twyckenham Drive | City Street | ||||
South Ironwood Drive | City Street | Mishawaka | |||
Logan Street | City Street | ||||
North Main Street | City Street | ||||
North Cedar Street | City Street | ||||
East Mishawaka Avenue | City Street | ||||
SR 331 (Capital Avenue) | City Street | ||||
North Bittersweet Road | City Street | ||||
Ash Road (former SR 219 )
|
City Street | St. Joseph County/Elkhart County border | |||
SR 19 (South Nappanee Street) | City Street | Elkhart | Elkhart | ||
Bridge Street | City Street | ||||
West Lexington Avenue | City Street | ||||
Sherman Street | City Street | ||||
Main Street | City Street | ||||
Island Park access | Trail | ||||
Railroad | |||||
Johnson Street | City Street | ||||
CR 17 | County Road | Concord Township/Osolo Township/Washington Township border | |||
SR 15 (North Division Street) | City Street | Bristol | |||
I-90 (Indiana Toll Road)
|
Interstate Highway | ||||
US 12 | US Route | Mottville
|
St. Joseph | Michigan | |
Camelback bridge (Old US 12) | Pedestrian bridge | ||||
US 131 | US Route | Constantine Township | 41°50′3.09″N 85°40′42.47″W / 41.8341917°N 85.6784639°W | ||
Bus. US 131 (North Washington Street)
|
City Street | Constantine | 41°50′34.39″N 85°40′10.72″W / 41.8428861°N 85.6696444°W | ||
Withers Road | County Road | ||||
Constantine Road | County Road | ||||
Lutz Road | County Road | ||||
M-86 | Michigan Highway | Three Rivers | |||
Sixth Street | City Street | ||||
M-66 | Michigan Highway | 42°0′27.58″N 85°24′40.38″W / 42.0076611°N 85.4112167°W | |||
South Broadway Street | City Street | Union City | |||
13 Mile Road | County Road | 42°6′10.78″N 85°2′24.74″W / 42.1029944°N 85.0402056°W | |||
14 Mile Road | County Road | 42°5′25.24″N 85°1′13.71″W / 42.0903444°N 85.0204750°W | |||
I-69 | Interstate Highway | Tekonsha | 42°5′16.13″N 84°59′53.45″W / 42.0878139°N 84.9981806°W |
See also
- List of Indiana rivers
- List of Michigan rivers
References
- ^ ISBN 9780252032684. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ a b c Timothy Edward Howard (1907). A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1. The Lewis publishing company. p. 23. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Saint Joseph River
- ^ United States Environmental Protection Agency. "Watershed Report: Saint Joseph River". watersgeo.epa.gov. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map. Retrieved May 19, 2011
- ^ a b c d e DeGraves, Andrew (June 2005). St. Joseph River Watershed Management Plan (PDF) (Report). Friends of the St. Joe River Association. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ St. Joseph River Watershed Fish Migration Barrier Inventory (PDF) (Report). Potawatami Resource Conservation & Development Council. 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^ a b Jay K. Wesley; Joan A. Duffy (September 1999). St. Joseph River Assessment:Fisheries Report 24 (PDF) (Report). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. pp. 1–116. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ^ Miami-Illinois Indigenous Languages Digital Archive, "saakiiweesiipiiw- (n.inan) St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)" https://mc.miamioh.edu/ilda-myaamia/dictionary/entries/5808
- ^ ISBN 0-299-10004-9.
- ^ Ida Amanda Johnson (1919). The Michigan fur trade, Parts 1-2. Michigan historical commission. p. 12. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ a b Wesley, Jay K., & Duffy, Joan E. (1999). St. Joseph River Assessment, pp. 22-24. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ISBN 0-8047-4240-5.
- ^ a b c d Center for History "East Race Waterway." Retrieved on 2014-03-28.
- ^ St. Joseph County Public Library "East Race Waterway." Retrieved on 2014-03-28.
- ^ Downtown South Bend History "History of South Bend." Retrieved on 2014-03-28.
- ^ South Bend Parks and Recreation "East Race Waterway." Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
- ^ The other three are Dickerson Whitewater Course, U.S. National Whitewater Center, and Adventure Sports Center International. A fifth course, Ocoee Whitewater Center, built in a modified riverbed for the 1996 Olympics, is no longer used for training or competition.[citation needed]
- ^ Blasko, Erin (July 19, 2013). "East Race Waterway Celebrates 30 Years". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
- ^ "Notre Dame Hydro Project: preparing for a sustainable future by looking to the past. | Energy & Emissions | Get Involved | Office of Sustainability | University of Notre Dame".
- ^ a b "Interstate Anadromous Fish Project". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Sturgeon Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ University of California - Berkeley (March 1, 2010). "Pesticide Atrazine Can Turn Male Frogs Into Females". Science Daily. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
Further reading
- Lane, Kit (2010). The St. Joseph. Rivers of Michigan. ISBN 978-1-877703-05-8.
- Webster, Mildred E. and Krause, Fred (1986). French St. Joseph: Le Poste De La Rivière St. Joseph. n.p. Mildred E. Webster.
External links
- Then, Now and Always: The St. Joseph River Story (Television production). PBS Michiana. 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- Friends of the St. Joe River Association, Inc. (FotSJR)
- Saint Joseph River Watershed Website
- St. Joseph River Interstate Anadromous Fish Project
- Michigan DNR Fisheries Special Report No. 24--Executive Summary on the Saint Joseph River
- USGS Paw Paw River Flow Data at Riverside, Michigan (The Paw Paw is the last major tributary of the Saint Joseph before it flows into Lake Michigan)
- USGS St. Joseph River Flow Data at Niles, Michigan
- USGS St. Joseph River Flow Data at Mottville, Michigan
- USGS St. Joseph River Flow Data at Three Rivers, Michigan
- USGS St. Joseph River Flow Data at Burlington, Michigan
- East Race Waterway - South Bend Parks and Recreation