County of Arenac

COUNTY OF ARENAC

2010-2015

RECREATION MASTER PLAN

PREPARED FOR:

Arenac County Parks and Recreation Commission

and

Arenac County Board of Commissioners

Saginaw Bay Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc. (2004)

Updated 2010

Arenac County Parks & Recreation Commission

Table of Contents

TRANSMITTAL TO REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY. .i

TRANSMITTAL TO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION……………………………ii

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION

Regional Location and Political Boundaries Map

Regional Location. 2

Natural Resources

Climate 2

Wildlife 3

River/Stream Inventory 5

Drain Inventory 6

Barrow Pit Inventory 7

Lake Inventory………………………………………………………………………….8

Water Oriented Areas Map……………………………………………………………..9

Geology and Soils Vegetation 10

Soil Associations Map………………………………………………………………….11

Land Use Patterns ………………………………………………………………...16

Farm Statistics ………………………………………………………………...18

Cultural Resources

Utilities/Water and Sewer 19

Media 19

Travel and Transportation 19

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE 21

Budget 25

DEMOGRAPHICS

Population 28

Education 31

Households 31

Income 31

Tourism 32

INVENTORY

Recreation Inventory Map and Key .34

Townships, Cities, Villages

Adams Township 36

Arenac Township 36

City of Omer 38

AuGres Township 39

City of AuGres 40

Clayton Township 42

Deep River Township 43

Village of Sterling 44

Lincoln Township 45

City of Standish 45

Mason Township 47

Village of Twining 48

Moffatt Township 48

Sims Township 50

Standish Township 51

Turner Township 52

Village of Turner …… 52

Whitney Township …….. 53

Historic and Scenic Areas 54

Wigwam Bay Wildlife Area 55

SUMMARY 57

RECREATION NEEDS ANALYSIS 58

Recreation Needs………………………………………………………………………………...59

ACTION PLAN FOR ALL COUNTY FACILITIES 67

Fairgrounds 68

Youngman Park 70

Oasis Lake 71

Point AuGres Park 73

LONG RANGE GOALS FOR COUNTY. 75

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING PROCESS 77

APPENDIX 79

Figure I – Public Notice

Figure II – Parks Agenda

Figure III – Parks Minutes of Approval

Figure IV – County Board Agenda for Approval of Plan

Figure V – County Board Minutes of Approval of Plan

Figure VI – County Board Agenda for Resolution of Adoption of Plan

Figure VII – Resolution of Adoption of Plan

Figure VIII – County Board Minutes of Approval of Resolution

Community Description

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION

Regional Location

Arenac County is located on the shore of Lake Huron in the east central section of Michigan's Lower
Peninsula. It includes 368 square miles, or 238,097 acres. Arenac County is bordered by Iosco and
Ogemaw Counties to the north, Bay County to the south, Gladwin and Bay Counties to the west, and
Lake Huron makes up the eastern border. The area is 30 miles wide from east to west at its widest
point and 17 miles from north to south at its deepest point. The following townships are located in the
County: Adams, Arenac, AuGres, Clayton, Deep River, Lincoln, Mason, Moffatt, Sims, Standish,
Turner, and Whitney. The County also includes the Cities of AuGres, Omer, and Standish, and the
Villages of Sterling, Turner, and Twining. Several unincorporated places exist in the County. They
are Alger in Moffatt Township, Melita and Maple Ridge in Clayton Township, Worth, Pine River,
Saganing, and White's Beach in Standish Township, Moores Junction in Adams Township, Old
Arenac Village in Arenac Township, Point AuGres in AuGres Township, Point Lookout in Sims
Township, and Whitestone Point in Whitney Township.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Climate

The climate of Arenac County is relatively mild. The close proximity to Lake Huron modifies abrupt
variations in temperature. The climate is further modified by the westerly winds from Lake

Michigan, which bring warm, moist air in winter and cool, moist air in summer. February temperatures
average 20.3 degrees F. July temperatures average 65.8 degrees. Annual precipitation, in inches, is 28.7.
Most of the precipitation falls as rain. Precipitation during the growing season is sufficient for a wide
variety of crops. The mean annual snowfall for the period 1940 to 1969 was 42.5 inches. The ground
is covered with snow an average of 82 days a year. Prevailing winds from the southwest and are
generally heaviest in March, although conditions near the shoreline vary widely. The length of the
growing season varies within different areas of the County from 120 to 140 days; the area along Lake
Huron having the longest growing season, and the area in the extreme northwest comer of the County
having the shortest.

Wildlife

The Saginaw Bay and the Pine, Rifle, and AuGres River and their tributaries offer excellent fishing.
Walleye, Coho, and Chinook salmon produce exceptional sport fishing. Whitetail deer are present in
abundant numbers throughout the county. The best numbers are found in the Gladwin Forest Area, in
part of the AuSable State Forest, and in the Wigwam Bay Wildlife Area. Recent timber cuttings and
oak stands are the most attractive areas for deer. Ruffed grouse and woodcock are present along
streams, lowland brush, and recent aspen cutting sites. Squirrels are present in oak stands on public
land. Waterfowl hunting is excellent in the Wigwam Bay Wildlife Area and along the Saginaw Bay.
Snipe hunting is great in the mud flats of Saginaw Bay during low water periods.

INVENTORY OF GAME SPECIES IN ARENAC COUNTY

Species

Waterfowl

Whitetail Deer

Squirrels

Fox

Raccoon

Cottontail Rabbits

Snowshoe Hare

Relative Abundance

High

Moderate

High

Low (cyclic)

Management Potential and
Game Range Zones
Medium-The Wigwam
Bay Wildlife Area, fresh
water marshes of Saginaw
Bay, some barrow pits,
ponds, and inland marshes
provide the best waterfowl
hunting. During the spring
and fall migrations, many
waterfowl species of Central
North America can be
observed in this area. Many
also nest here.

Good-High hunting
populations occur
throughout the County with
the most-hunted area being
public land.

Good-Squirrel populations
are particularly heavy in oak
and farm woodlot areas.

Moderate-Fox hunting
occurs throughout the
County.

Good-Raccoon hunting is
popular throughout the
County.

Moderate-This
underexploited resource has
suffered recent disease due
to overpopulation.

Limited-Certain areas of

Adams, AuGres, Moffatt,
and Turner Townships
supply hunting of this
species.
Pheasants / Moderate / Moderate-Populations
have recently increased.
Ruffed Grouse / Moderate / Medium-Found in fair
numbers in wooded areas
bordering and including
swamp regions.
Woodcock / Moderate / Medium-Found in fair
numbers in wooded areas
bordering and including
swamp regions.
Coyote / High / Not managed-Species is
underexploited and has
increased greatly in recent
years.
Bear / Low / Limited-Sightings of this
species have increased in the
recent past.
Beaver / High / Medium-Found along
streams and in the woodland
swamps in the northwest
portion of the County. They
are managed by limited
trapping and by moving
surplus from areas of
nuisance to other localities.
Turkey / High / High-Flocks planted in
previous years have grown
in numbers.

ARENAC COUNTY INVENTORY OF RIVERS AND STREAMS

Description

AuGres River

AuGres River-East Branch

Pine River

Pine River-North Branch

Pine River-Middle Branch

Pine River-South Branch

Rifle River

Game fish include walleye, perch, and salmon;
MDNR Public Access site; Point Lookout
Harbor of Refuge; City Campground, Boat
Launch, Marina, and State-owned dock in the
City of AuGres

Singing Bridge Public Access Site at the
mouth with access to Lake Huron; 4.5 miles of
this river in Arenac County; game fish include
smelt, steelhead, and trout

MDNR Public Access Site at the mouth with
access to Saginaw Bay; game fish include perch and walleye

Intermittent waterway; sucker fishing in the
spring

A designated Natural River; major canoe river
with 600+ registered canoes and many liveries;
MDNR Public Access sites at Maple Ridge
Road, in the City of Omer, and north of Omer;
access near the Arenac County Road
Commission and Omer Fire Hall; game fish
include walleye, trout, and salmon; sucker
fishing in the spring near Omer; stream bank
camping

Creek/Drain

Big Creek

Burtch Creek

Cedar Creek Drain

Mansfield Creek

Richter Creek

Saganing Creek

Saverine Creek

Townline Creek

Wells Creek

ARENAC COUNTY INVENTORY OF DRAINS

Description

County drain; no public access; sucker fishing
in the spring; not a navigable stream; excellent
trout fishing in the upper reach

Intermittent waterway

County drain; excellent trout fishing in upper
reach

Trout stream flowing into the Rifle River in
Clayton Township; flows westerly along the
Ogemaw County into Arenac County;
approximately five miles long

Approximately two miles long; flows into
Rifle River in Clayton Township; some trout
fishing

Some walleye fishing; no public access

County drain only

Trout stream in Clayton Township; flows into
the Rifle River from the north; approximately
two miles long

Flows into Forest Lake; trout and bass fishing;
no migrating fish due to Forest Lake Dam

Barrow Pit

ARENAC COUNTY INVENTORY OF BARROW PITS

Description

Privately owned; less than two acres on a five
acre parcel in the northeast comer ofNE1I4 of
NW1I4 of Section 32, T.18N-R.4E.; no access

Barrow Pits-2 Pits

Barrow Pit

Barrow Pit-Oasis Lake

Barrow Pit "B"

Privately owned; fifteen acres or less on a 450
acre parcel in Section 20 of T. 18N.-R.4E.
along SE shoulder ofI-75 and U.S. 23
connector.

Four acres; Section 8, Lincoln Township,
T.18N.-R.2E.; no public access

Privately owned; five acres; Section 31, Deep
River Township in SE1I4 along 1-75

22 acres; Section 3, T.19N.-R.3E.; public
access of Old M-76, owned by Arenac County

State owned; thirty acres in Sections 28 and 33
of T.20N.-R.3E.; no access by practical means

Lakes and Ponds

Arenac County has twenty-six natural lakes and ponds, none of which exceed 45 acres in size. There
are twenty artificial ponds, three gravel pits, and a marsh extending through several sections of
AuGres Township. The County's total water acreage in lakes and ponds is 325.8 acres.

ARENAC COUNTY LAKE INVENTORY

LAKE / LAKE / ORIGIN / ACRE / TOWNSHIP / LOCATION! / INLET!
# / NAME / S / P / SECTION / OUTLET
1 / None / 1 / 2.0 / Arenac / T.18N.-R.6E., / Neither
Section 4
2 / None / 1 / 5.6 / Arenac / T.18N.-R.6E., / Neither
Section 5
3 / None / 1 / 2.0 / Arenac / T.18N.-R.6E., / Neither
Section 5
4 / None / 1 / 14.4 / Adams / T.19N.-R.3E., / Both
Section 30
5 / None / 1 / 20.8 / Adams / T.19N.-R.3E., / Both
Section 30
6 / None / 1 / 0.6 / Adams / T.19N.-R.3E., / Neither
Section 36
7 / None / 1 / 0.4 / Adams / T.19N.-R.3E., / Neither
Section 36
8 / None / 1 / 19.2 / Deep River / T.19N.-R.4E., / Both
Section 3
9 / None / 1 / 8.0 / Deep River / T.19N.-R.4E., / Both
Section 3
10 / None / 1 / 2.0 / Deep River / T.19N.-R.4E., / Neither
Section 16
11 / None / 1 / 4.8 / Deep River / T.19N.-R.4E., / Neither
Section 16
12 / None / 1 / 38.0 / AuGres / T.19N.-R.6E., / Neither
Section 3
13 / None / 1 / 42.0 / AuGres / T.19N.-R.6E., / Neither
Section 4
14 / None / 1 / 6.4 / AuGres / T.19N.-R.6E., / Neither
Section 12
15 / None / 22 / 0.0 / AuGres / T.19N.-R.6E., / Inlet
Sections 15,16,21,22
16 / Duck / 1 / 21.0 / AuGres / T.19N.-R.6E., / Both
Sections 32,33
17 / None / 1 / 11.2 / AuGres / T.19N.-R.6E., / Neither
Sections 32, 33
18 / None / 1 / 9.0 / AuGres / T.19N.-R.6E., / Both
Section 33
19 / None / 1 / 8.0 / Sims / T.19N.-R.7E., / Neither
Section 2
20 / None / 9 / 1.6 / Sims / T.19N.-R.7E., / Neither
Section 5
21 / None / 1 / 1.5 / Sims / T.19N.-R. 7E., / Neither
Section 10
22 / None / 1 / 14.4 / Moffatt / T.20N.-R.3E., / Both
Section 29
23 / None / 1 / 9.6 / Turner / T.20N.-R.6E., / Neither
Section 15
24 / None / 1 / 3.2 / Turner / T.20N.-R.6E., / Neither
Sections 15,16
25 / None / 1 / 18.0 / Whitney / T.20N.-R. 7E., / Outlet
Sections 22, 23
26 / Cranberry / 1 / 34.0 / Whitney / T.20N.-R.7E., / Neither
Sections 23, 24

GEOLOGY AND SOILS

Most of Arenac County is an old lake bed. Small areas consist of ground moraines and waterlaid
moraines. In the lake bed areas, the material ranges from clay to clay loam, loam or sand in texture.
In many places this fine-textured material has been covered by sand that ranges from six inches to
many feet in thickness. Deep deposits of sandy material occur throughout the lake bed, but they are
predominantly in the northwestern part of the County. Elevation of the lake bed ranges from slightly
less than 600 feet to 750 feet above sea level. The soil associations found in the County are listed
below. A chart indicating possible limitations of these soil associations on recreational use follows.

Soil Associations

Dominant Soils That Have a Loamy or Clayey Subsoil

1. Nester-Isabella-Kawkawlin- Twining association: Mainly level to sloping, well-drained to
somewhat poorly drained soils from loamy glacial till.

2. Kawkawlin- Twining-Sims Association: Mainly level to gently sloping, somewhat poorly
drained to very poorly drained soils from clay loam and sandy clay loam glacial material.

3. Wisner-Sims association: Level or nearly level, poorly drained and very poorly drained soils
formed in clay loam.

4. Charity-Pickford association: Level or nearly level, poorly drained and very poorly drained
soils formed in clay or silty clay.

Soils Formed in Shallow, Sandy Deposits over Loamy or Clayey Material

5. losco-Kawkawlin-Sims association: Mainly nearly level to undulating, somewhat poorly
drained and poorly drained soils formed in clay loam or in sand underlain by clay loam.

6. Allendale-Pinconning-Pickford association: Nearly level to undulating, somewhat poorly
drained and poorly drained soils formed in sandy material over clay or silty clay or in clay or
silty clay.

Soils Formed in Sandy or Loamy Material

7. Grayling association: Nearly level to undulating, well drained to moderately well drained
sands.