What is a demonstration project?The demonstration projects that have been developed by Macatawa Watershed Project serve as models for Best Management Practices (BMPs) needed to reduce the amount of sediment and pollution in our watershed. These sites provide an opportunity to educate the community as to how BMPs are implemented. Demonstration sites offer a working model as a part of that education.
Noordeloos Creek Demonstration SiteNoordeloos Creek and its floodplain are located on an 80± acre parcel in Holland Township. The Noordeloos Creek site includes design and construction of two separate wetland basins—a typical treatment wetland basin and a natural floodplain with deep pools—covering approximately five acres.
The site has been seeded and stabilized with a native wetland seed mix specially formulated for sediment removal. It was important to complete the site with enough warm days left to establish the cover crop. This was made possible through the cooperation of the land owner, the DEQ, the designer, the contractor, the Ottawa County Drain Commissioner and many volunteers. With the help of Hope College students and staff, research regarding the amount of sediment being trapped in relation to high rain fall will be conducted. This project was funded by a Great Lakes Commision grant, with private and local match.
To learn more about this demonstration project, view the Noordeloos Creek BMP Demonstration Site Final Report, the Noordeloos Poster, the Noordeloos Project Profile.
Smallenburg Park Urban Stormwater Demonstration SiteSmallenburg Park lies right in the heart of the City of Holland. Macatawa Watershed Project has completed Phase 2 of an Urban Stormwater Demonstration Site along the Maplewood Drain. Best Management Practices include rain gardens, floodplain shelving, a sedimentation basin, a wetland, a vegetative buffer and a swale. Thousands of native plants were added to the park. Area students are using the site for research projects and to learn plant identification. This project was funded by a MDEQ, clean Michigan Initiative Grant, the city of Holland, Hope College, and MACC.
Zeeland Public Schools Wetlands Demonstration SiteSince its completion in 2003, the wetland demonstration site along the Brower Drain on Zeeland Public Schools (ZPS) property has provided a living classroom for ZPS students. The wetland system comprised of the east and west wetlands just south of Riley Street, makes for a wonderful walk. The wetlands class at ZPS wrote and published a ZPS trail guide to help identify the wetland plants that are visible. Please contact the MACC office to receive a copy of this guide.
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