Plaster Creek is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data
The National Map
accessed May 19, 2011

urban stream An urban stream is a formerly natural waterway that flows through a heavily populated area. Urban streams are often polluted by urban runoff and combined sewer outflows. Water scarcity makes flow management in the rehabilitation of urban stream ...

Kent County, Michigan Kent County is located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the county had a population of 657,974, making it the fourth most populous county in Michigan, and the largest outside of the Detroit area. Its county seat is Grand ...

in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. It is a tributary of the Grand River. The stream is named for the large deposit of

gypsum Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula . It is widely mined and is used as a fertilizer and as the main constituent in many forms of plaster, blackboard or sidewalk chalk, and drywall. ...

found at its mouth. Its mean monthly flow averages 22 million gallons per day. Two bridges listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

cross the creek.

Watershed

The

headwaters The headwaters of a river or stream is the farthest place in that river or stream from its estuary or downstream confluence with another river, as measured along the course of the river. It is also known as a river's source. Definition The ...

are located in Dutton Shadyside Park, at Hanna Lake Avenue and 76th Street, just south of the unincorporated town of Dutton in Gaines Township. The creek flows into the Grand River just south of Wealthy Street in downtown

Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...

. The main stream is approximately long and drains a basin. The Plaster Creek Watershed is considered to contain one of the most polluted creeks in West Michigan. Priority pollutants of the creek can be linked to stormwater runoff but include issues such as sedimentation, E.coli contamination, nutrient pollution, thermal pollution and toxic substances. However, local groups such as Th
Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds
an

have worked to address these issues. "Plaster Creek Stewards is a collaboration of Calvin University faculty, staff, and students working with local schools, churches, and community partners to restore the health and beauty of the watershed".

Flora and fauna

Plaster Creek is a

salmon Salmon () is the common name for several list of commercially important fish species, commercially important species of euryhaline ray-finned fish from the family (biology), family Salmonidae, which are native to tributary, tributaries of the ...

spawning stream, and salmon have been seen as far upstream as the headwaters at Dutton Shadyside Park. The stream is not considered to be a trout stream, but has been designated as a warm water fishery. One

endangered species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...

Epioblasma triquetra ''Epioblasma triquetra'', common name the snuffbox mussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, a mollusk in the family Unionidae. It is native to eastern North America, where it is a listed as an endangered species in both Canada and the United St ...

'' (the snuffbox mussel) lives in the Plaster Creek watershed. The threatened Beak Grass ('' Diarrhena americana'') as well as Endangered Virginia Bluebells (''Mertensia virginica)'' grows along the banks in some areas.

Tributaries

Streams flowing into the creek include Little Plaster Creek, the small Maple Creek, Whiskey Creek, and the former Silver Creek, now

culvert A culvert is a structure that channels water past an obstacle or to a subterranean waterway. Typically embedded so as to be surrounded by soil, a culvert may be made from a pipe, reinforced concrete or other material. In the United Kingdom ...

ed as the Silver Creek Drain.

Trails

A series of trails along Plaster Creek is being planned in Grand Rapids: ;Plaster Creek Trail - Phase I Beginning at Ken-O-Sha Park School (1353 VanAuken SE) and following Plaster Creek, this pathway offers interpretive signs and a stunning display of spring-blooming wild flowers along the creek's bank and wetland areas. This portion of the Plaster Creek Trail is . ;Plaster Creek Trail - Phase II The Plaster Creek extension is approximately in length. It starts at Plaster Creek and Eastern Avenue, travels north on the east side of Eastern Avenue, crosses 28th Street, then proceeds westerly to Division Avenue. The trail serves two purposes, as a non-motorized trail and as a flood protection and mitigation facility. ;Plaster Creek Trail - Phase III Division Avenue to Oxford Street. Eventually, this trail will connect with Kent Trails and the Paul Henry-Thornapple Rail Trail.

References

{{authority control Geography of Grand Rapids, Michigan Rivers of Kent County, Michigan Rivers of Michigan Tributaries of Lake Michigan