In addition to the lakes and rivers mentioned above, Grass Creek flows southeasterly from the central portion of the township and discharges into Lake Bellaire. A number of unnamed flowing water bodies originate in the wetland areas or in the valleys and are fed by natural springs and runoff from precipitation.

 

Wet areas exist throughout the township. These result from a number of different geological conditions. In some cases, bedrock close to the ground surface prevents the precipitation from percolating into the groundwater table. In other instances, topography of the land surface, in conjunction with specific soil types result in areas of standing water or soggy ground.

Sources:                Forest Home Township,

                              Northwest Michigan Regional Planning and Development Commission

                              Northwest Michigan Council of Governments,

 

 

SOILS

 

Knowledge of soils is important in determining which areas have suitability or limitations for various types of uses. Different properties of each soil type provide useful information regarding slope, suitability for farming and forestry production and ability to use onsite septic waste disposal systems. In addition, information about the corrosiveness of soil, and potential for contraction and expansion provides guidance as to types of materials that should be used for sewer and water lines.

 

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The 1978 Soil Survey of Antrim County is a moderate intensity soil survey which means the soils have not been broken down into the greatest possible number of soil units, type or smallest sized units possible. Soil surveys conducted on a countywide basis tend not to be site specific and this is the case with the one developed for Antrim County. The information is very useful for drawing conclusions regarding the township but is not suitable for making decisions on an individual site.

 

Rodney Cortright, Michigan State University Extension, has an extensive background in soils, and provided assistance in interpreting and defining the Antrim County Soil Survey and the characteristics of individual soil types.

 

The bulk of the soils in Forest Home Township are Emmet-Montcalm Soils or Tawas-Ensley-Roscommon Soils. The Emmet-Montcalm Soils are generally well drained soils on gently sloping to very steep slopes. The Tawas-Ensley-Roscommon Soils are poorly drained or very poorly drained soils that are generally found on level to nearly level areas along the lakes, rivers and creeks in the township.

 

Forest Suitability - The majority of soils in Forest Home Township are rated as being of either national or regional importance for the production of timber. The soils are rated based upon their ability to produce a given amount of wood fiber per acre per year. The vast majority of the land is rated as "Nationally Important" based on a study conducted by the Prime Forestlands Identification Project in 1982. Mike Meriweather, Antrim County Forester indicates the soils in Forest Home Township are prime for producing high quality hardwoods such as maple, basswood and ash.

 

The Forest Soils Map depicts the lands within the township. Those areas shown as "other" tend to follow small creeks or are located in areas of organic soils. These tend to be lands which are wet for a considerable portion of the year and are not suitable for most species of trees.

 

While wet areas tend to hinder tree growth, steep slopes for the most part do not have this same impact. The harvesting of trees can create erosion problems if not undertaken properly.

 

Agricultural Suitability - According to Burt Stanley, Michigan State University Extension, the northern and south central portions of the township are rated as being of prime importance for agricultural purposes. Small areas of the township are rated as prime if drained but those areas are few and far between (see attached map). The areas with steep slopes are not considered suitable for agricultural purposes due to inability to use modern farm equipment on the steep slopes.

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