The Jordan River Watershed Ecosystem

• Is widely recognized as one of Michigan's premier watershed ecosystems.
• Is approximately 125 square miles (100,000 acres), traversing from the rolling hills of its headwaters (elevation 1,190 feet) to the shores of Lake Charlevoix (elevation 590 feet). It contains over 94 linear miles of rivers and streams and the Jordan Valley State Forest (25,000 acres of undeveloped forest lands).
• Is renowned for the Jordan River - the first river in Michigan to be designated wild and scenic under the state's Natural Rivers Act in 1972.
• Possesses a full range of ecological components resulting in a high degree of biodiversity and biologic integrity, including forested land; unfragmented headwaters; intact, integrated riparian zones; continuous greenbelts and ecologic corridors.
• Has a long and successful tradition of conservation, preservation, and collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies; including the work and support of surrounding communities who collectively have contributed to the protection of the Jordan River watershed.