Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed

[1][2] The chain of lakes system begins with the upper stage of the Intermediate River, which rises in hill country at 45°00′20″N 85°04′45″W / 45.00556°N 85.07917°W / 45.00556; -85.07917[3] in the northwest corner of Chestonia Township in central Antrim County.

The outlet of Intermediate Lake converges with the Cedar River in the village of Bellaire, gaining considerable volume.

Various tribes of primarily Ojibwa Native Americans inhabited the region when the first white settlers began to arrive in the middle of the 19th century to attempt farming.

The arrival of the railroads in the 1890s accelerated lumbering and other economic activities, and brought in visitors from distant places, who marveled at the natural beauty of lakes and rivers of the chain, turning it into a major destination for vacationers from downstate and elsewhere.

Other tributaries are in normal text The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed includes all or portions of the following cities, villages, and townships: