Hamburg Township Lakes,
Streams and the Huron River

Connected by the Huron River are the "Chain-of-Lakes" which pass through the Township and are among the most valuable natural resources of the community. In combination, the Huron River, the lakes and rolling hills create picturesque views. The numerous lakes and the Huron River provide a number of recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing and swimming. The quality of these water features enhance the value of adjacent property for residential opportunities. Furthermore, vital functions are provided to the region for drainage and water supply, fish and wildlife habitat, industry and recreation by the Huron River. Quality lakes also enhance the value of adjacent property for residential opportunities.

Hamburg Township has over 30 named lakes and a number of creeks, most of which are tributary to the Huron River and interconnect with the many lakes. There are several major streams in the Township that flow from the north down to the Huron River. These major creeks are Hay Creek, Chilson Creek, South Ore Creek and Horseshoe Creek.

The Huron River

Hamburg Township is blessed with an abundance of natural resources including water features, sandy soils, woodlands, and rolling topography. These features make an important contribution to the quality of life in the Township. The Huron River and the Chain of Lakes are unique and the most valuable resources to the Township.

The Wyandot Indians originally called the Huron River the "Cos-scut e-nong sebee," meaning the plans, land or country. French explorers who came into the area in 1680 indirectly renamed the river the "Huron River" after seeing the Wyandot Indians with their "bristly hair." The explorers were reminded of the stiff hairs found on the wild boar, or "hure," found in France. Hence, the name "Huron."

The entire Huron River Watershed covers some 908 square miles. It is part of the Lake Erie Watershed, which in turn is part of the Great Lakes Watershed. The Huron River Watershed spans 56 communities within 7 counties. The River's headwaters are in Independence Township, Michigan; and the River empties into Lake Erie just south of Flat Rock, Michigan. Click here to go to the USGS Huron River Watershed webpage.

Approximately 10 miles of the 125-mile long Huron River traverse Hamburg Township, running from the northeast to the southwesterly area of the Township. The Huron River connects the "Chain-of-Lakes," running through Ore Lake, Strawberry Lake, Gallagher Lake, Whitewood Lake and Portage and Base line Lakes. The inland lakes and Huron River corridor are unique because of their residential attractiveness and scenic amenities.

Floodplains comprise a large portion of the immediate banks of the Huron River, with some floodway areas near the north bend of the River near the Buck Lake Subdivision. Additional floodway areas are located just south of the Whitewood Lake area. South Ore Creek, Hall Creek, Oneida Lake, Bass Lake, Zukey Lake and Hay Creek are some of the water bodies connected to and affected by the River's flows.

The Huron River area in Hamburg Township has been designated as a "country-scenic"river under the Michigan Natural River Act 1970. The adoption of a Natural River District by the Township in 1978 provides for the management of the river corridor which will help protect water quality and aesthetic appeal in the future.

The Huron River is served by a USGS Gaging Station #04172000 located at the Huron River Bridge over Hamburg Road near Van Antwerp Road. The location of this gaging station is Lat 42 degrees 27 minutes 55 seconds, longitude 83 degrees 48 minutes 00 seconds, in Section 24 of Hamburg Township. This area drains 308 square miles. Datum of the gage is 850.00 feet above sea level. Real-time gaging data on water flow rates and water levels is available for viewing over the Internet from the USGS website at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=04172000.

Hamburg Township is a participating member of The Huron River Watershed Council, a public, nonprofit coalition of local communities and residents established under Michigan's Local River Management Act in 1965 to protect the Huron River and its tributary streams, wetlands, and groundwater. Please see The Huron River Watershed Council's website address at www.hrwc.org for more information on the Council's research work and environmental protection activities.

Wetlands