Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Rule Changes

Confirmed the Bear Creek detection and asked boaters to watch for invasive snails

Michigan officials have confirmed the New Zealand mudsnail in Bear Creek, a coldwater tributary of the Thornapple River in Kent County. It is the first detection of the invasive snail in southern Lower Michigan, about 75 miles south of the closest known infestation.

Updated 4 days ago

Money Moves

As of October 2026: Co-leads Reclaim the Rivers

Michigan will spend $89 million from pollution settlements to strip decades of industrial contamination from the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Reclaim the Rivers initiative Thursday at Belle Isle, with money targeting PCB-heavy sediment and damaged wildlife habitat.

Updated Oct 2

Built World

As of September 2026: Manages Belle Isle and oversees the restoration

After 16 months behind construction fences, Belle Isle's James Scott Memorial Fountain reopens Sept. 30. Visitors won't see water flowing until spring 2027, because a standard policy bars turning on fountain water in cold months.

Updated Sep 16