Duncan-Grass Bay Watershed

Geographic Description:

Based on GIS files developed by the Watershed Council using existing watershed boundary and elevation
data from the State of Michigan, the Duncan Bay Watershed encompasses 8,088 acres and the Grass
Bay Watershed covers 3,838 acres. Land cover statistics for the Duncan and Grass Bays Watershed were
generated using remotely sensed data from the Coastal Great Lakes Land Cover project (Table 4 and
Table 5). Based on the 2010 data, there is little agricultural landcover within the Duncan Bay Watershed
(~5%), but a relatively high amount of urban land cover for Northern Michigan watersheds (11%). The
Grass Bay Watershed has less than 3% of agricultural and urban land cover types combined. The
majority of land cover in both watersheds consists of forests and wetlands.

The Nature Conservancy’s Grass Bay Nature Preserve:
Grass Bay Preserve extends along two miles of Lake Huron shoreline and includes over 300 plant
species. Three species of wildflowers found at Grass Bay are endemic to the Great Lakes—the dwarf
lake iris (blooming in purple or white), Pitcher’s thistle, and Houghton’s goldenrod. Neotropical
migrants such as the black‐throated blue warbler and the prairie warbler can also be observed at the
Preserve. The Preserve includes sandy and cobble shorelines wither emergent wetlands, open dunes,
interdunal wetlands, coniferous swamps and forests, and home to twelve of Michigan’s thirteen
coniferous species.
The Nature Conservancy first became aware of Grass Bay’s diverse flora in 1978. When the original 80‐
acre parcel went on the market in 1979, the Conservancy secured an option to purchase it. Because the
Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan treasured this site and also wanted to see it protected, they
launched a very successful multi‐year campaign to raise money to assist the Conservancy in purchasing
the original parcel, plus approximately 100 more acres soon after. Since its initial purchase, several land
donations and purchases have expanded the Grass Bay Preserve to its current 956.2 acres. In order to
protect the site from inadvertent ecological damage due to overuse, access is limited to Conservancy
field trips and research opportunities. (Source: www.nature.org)

Cheboygan State Park
Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Cheboygan State Park is approximately three miles east of the City of Cheboygan. The park has seven
miles of Great Lakes frontage and includes coastal marshes, cobblestone and sand beaches, open sand
dunes, and interdunal wetlands. A small boat launch provides access to Duncan Bay. Some of the best
fishing in the area, with northern pike, small and large mouth bass, and several types of pan fish can be
found in Duncan Bay. Elliot Creek, also known as Little Billy Elliot Creek, is well known for its speckled
brook trout.