Platte River (Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Platte River |
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Platte River, near Lake Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lake Dubonnet 44°41′07″N 85°47′57″W / 44.68528°N 85.79917°W |
| River mouth | Lake Michigan Platte River Point at Platte Bay 44°43′54″N 86°09′10″W / 44.73167°N 86.15278°W |
The Platte River is a cool river found in the northern part of Michigan. It flows through beautiful areas like the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. A lot of the river also runs through the Pere Marquette State Forest.
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About the Platte River
The Platte River is about 29.5 miles (47.5 km) (47.5 km) long. It starts from Lake Dubonnet. The area of land that drains into the river, called its watershed, is about 193 square miles (500 km2) (500 km²). Most of this land is covered by forests, open spaces, or wetlands. These wetlands help keep the river's water very clear. You can find different kinds of trees here, like conifers and hardwoods. Near Big Platte Lake and Little Platte Lake, there are swamps with trees like tamarack and arborvitae.
Where Does the Platte River Start?
The Platte River actually begins at Long Lake in Grand Traverse County. From there, it flows southwest into Lake Dubonnet. After that, it heads west and then turns north. It flows through Mud Lake and then into Lake Ann.
Other Streams Joining In
Other streams also add water to Lake Ann. Ransom Creek, for example, flows into Lake Ann. Ransom Creek itself gets water from Ransom Lake, Bellows Lake, and Lyons Lake.
The River's Journey
From Lake Ann, the Platte River flows west and south. It picks up water from Upper and Lower Woodcock Lakes. Then it goes through Bronson Lake. The river keeps flowing southwest. You'll find the Platte River State Fish Hatchery along the river near Platte Creek, Michigan. Brundage Creek also joins the river nearby. The main part of the river also gets water from Collison Creek, just east of Honor, Michigan. At the Platte River Campground, the river turns northwest and flows towards Platte Lake.
North Branch of the Platte
There's also a north branch of the Platte River. It gets water from Little Platte Lake. This north branch then joins the main river just before both flow into Big Platte Lake.
From Platte Lake to Lake Michigan
The lower part of the Platte River starts as the water flowing out of Platte Lake. This is south of Empire, Michigan. It generally flows northwest. About a third of the way from Platte Lake, the river gets wider and forms Loon Lake. Finally, the Platte River reaches its end at Platte Bay in Lake Michigan, at a spot called Platte River Point. Mud Lake is another small stream that flows into the river upstream from Loon Lake.
Fun on the Platte River
The Platte River is a great place for outdoor activities! In the national lakeshore area, there are three places where you can launch a boat. There's also a special launch area just for canoes. Plus, you can find three picnic areas along the river, perfect for a snack or lunch.
River Temperature
The part of the river above Platte Lake is usually much faster and colder. But the lower part of the river, after it leaves Platte Lake, gets much warmer. This is because it flows through Platte Lake, which is relatively shallow and about 3-mile (4.8 km) (4.8 km) long. The shallow water warms up more easily in the sun.
