Request testing of a body of surface water from state monitoring program

Although we often think of the Manchester area as belonging to the River Raisin watershed, Pleasant Lake and other surface water in parts of Freedom and Sharon Township belong to the Huron River watershed. Both watersheds ultimately empty into Lake Erie. Pleasant Lake viewed from Reno Road. Mirror file photo by Dwight Burdette

by Sara Swanson

Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Water Resources Division solicits surface water quality monitoring recommendations every year (when funding is available) to support their Strategic Environmental Quality Monitoring Program for Michigan’s Surface Waters. They focus on different watersheds on a cycle and this coming year’s watersheds to be focused on includes the Huron River. In the Manchester area, that includes the northern halves of Sharon and Freedom Townships. They do consider requests for monitoring in non-focus area watersheds.

If you have would like to have a specific body of surface water considered for monitoring, submit your request at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/5e29fec3286246b59dfdac1d229fdb06 by October 30, 2026 to be considered for the 2027 season.

Submission of a request does not guarantee EGLE’s Water Resources Division will be able to conduct the requested monitoring. Many factors, including budget, staff availability, and the scope of the request, are taken into consideration during the decision-making process.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.