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Where
is Dolan Natural Area? (top)
The Dolan Natural Area is located in southeastern Kent
County south of 100th Avenue on Baker Road. Two large wooden
signs on the east side of Baker Road and north of the
Coldwater River identify the property.
The
property is comprised of a variety of hardwoods, pine trees,
wetlands and beautiful meadow lands. The south boundary of
our property follows the Coldwater River for approximately
3/4 of river mile. Tyler Creek enters the Coldwater on the
eastern side of the property.
Grand
Valley State University conducted an inventory of flora
species on the property in the mid-1980's. An amazing stand
of Virginia Bluebells was found to exist and the Michigan
Natural Association, in cooperation with WMTU, established a
trail which marks their springtime location.
It
is very common to see deer, rabbits, grouse and other game
species. However, one may only hunt with a
camera.
Two
small ponds, which contain some bluegills and small bass,
exist on the property. They are close to Baker Road near the
north sign. The ponds are open to fishing during the
appropriate seasons.
Hiking
trails exist in the Dolan Natural Area that loosely follow
the property's border and bisect the meadow lands. A
well-marked foot path follows the north bank of the
Coldwater River and provides ready access to the stream for
fishermen. The trails are also good for cross-country skiing
during the winter months. Please ... no hunting, no fires,
no camping, and no snowmobiles or off-road
vehicles.
How
WMTU Aquired the Property (top)
Beginning in 1983, West Michigan Trout Unlimited began
acquiring title to 127 acres of undeveloped forest and
meadow land along the norht bank of the Coldwater River in
southeastern Kent County. At the time of the first land
transfer to WMTU, such a a project, i.e. the private
management of natural resources in the public interest, was
quite new for conservation groups.
Prominent
Grand Rapids physician, Dr. James Maher, who had long been
interested in conservation and the environment, wanted to
protect his family's parcel of river property from
streamside development. The Maher family had managed their
property with the intent of preserving its undeveloped state
and had attempted to further enhance its value to wildlife
by planting stands of pine trees and autumn olive
shrubs.
However
in the late 1970's and early 80's, with his children growing
up and the demands of his practice increasing, Dr. Maher
began to consider other parties to manage the property. As
both the Coldwater River and Tyler Creek either bordered or
cut through the property, and both were designated trout
streams, he thought of West Michigan Trout Unlimited. It
appeared a natural fit.
A
formal proposal was submitted in November 1982 that called
for dividing the property into six parcels of approximately
20 acres each and transferring one parcel to WMTU each year
for the next six years. The deeds required preservation of
the property as a "natural area" and restricted its usage to
the study and enjoyment of the flora, fauna, fish and reiver
ecology. Additionally, WMTU agreed not to operate the area
as a private hunting or fishing preserve, but to maintain
the property for public use.
The
Dolan Family Name (top)
Transfer of the final parcel of property to WMTU occurred in
1982. Unfortunately, due to Dr. Maher's untimely death in
1989, he was not able to witness the last conveyance of
property to WMTU. However, according to longtime friend and
former WMTU President, Jon Bachelder, Dr. Maher "expressed
considerable satisfaction with TU's stewardship of the
property and asked that it be named the Dolan Natural Area,
in honor of his mother's family."
WMTU
Conservation Efforts (top)
The WMTU chapter has been active in enhancing and
maintaining the property as time and funding raised from our
annual banquet and volunteer labor permits. In 1985 we put
in the small foot bridges to help the hiker in crossing the
small ravines and spring-fed feeder creeks. And in 1987, the
chapter raised money at their annual banquet to designate
funding for the bank improvement on the Coldwater. Our
chapter members and volunteers brought in rocks and gravel
to aid in bank erosion stabilization just west of Tyler
Creek. Today, in keeping with the environment, and a
"natural setting," this is one of the most picturesque areas
of the property.
Anyone
who is interested in joining or simply would like some
additional information about the West Michigan Trout
Unlimited chapter or the National Trout Unlimited
organization can call WMTU at 616-752-8596 or
email
WMTU.
The
Fishing (top)
The Coldwater River and Tyler Creek produce some excellent
mayfly hatches throughout the course of the trout season.
The Coldwater generally produces good fishing through the
Brown Drake hatch. Both streams have excellent fishing
during Hendrickson time.
Students
from the Lakewood Junior High School conducted stream
samplings on the Coldwater River and Tyler Creek. Generally,
the students found the streams to be in excellent condition
with potential for fish holding structures. Past surveys by
DNR fisheries biologists have confirmed that the water
quality and temperatures are suitable for both Brown and
Rainbow trout.
As
testament to the Coldwater River's diverse mayfly and
stonefly populations, good fish holding capacity, and its
cooler temperatures, the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources in the late 1980's attempted to introduce Red Band
trout into the Coldwater. Although the experiment did not
succeed, it does confirm the high regard in which fish
biologists hold the Coldwater.
Nothing
is easy for a trout stream in today's modern society.
Erosion, agricultural and road run-off (non-point source
pollution) and urban sprawl are three problems that confront
our watersheds. The Coldwater River watershed is no
different. It is often easy to point fingers at someone else
and proclaim "the proposed development is wrong," or
"farmers shouldn't till so close to the river," but we must
realize that we all contribute to the problem. Consequently,
it is vital that we become involved in, and support,
organizations such as Trout Unlimited in an attempt to
create positive impact on our watersheds for future
generations.
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