Water in Michigan

Michigan has about 242 streams (rivers and creeks) with a combined length of 36,350 miles (58,500 km) and about 11,000 lakes and ponds.

[3] The state is divided into 12 hydrologic provinces based on geology, aquifer recharge rates and water quality.

[1] The Great Lakes are used to ship iron ore, coal, limestone, and cement to and/or from ports in Michigan.

It has regulations governing structure placement and remedial actions such as chemical treatments to remove plants.

[10] Michigan is home to three wetland habitat National Wildlife Refuges: Seney, Shiawassee, Detroit River International.

[16] The opening of the Welland Canal allowed the sea lamprey and alewife to bypass the natural barrier of Niagara Falls.

[17] Michigan has banned phosphorus in detergents and lawn fertilizers due to it causing algae growth.

[20] As of March 2015[update], the Michigan legislature is considering legislation to ban the sale of products containing microbeads.

[23] Mercury in the environment accumulates in the tissues of certain fish and makes them unsafe for human consumption, particularly for unborn and young children.