Fletcher's Pond Bottomlands

Alpena & Montmorency Counties

History

HeadWaters Land Conservancy (HWLC) has received a generous donation of the Fletcher Pond bottomlands from the Thunder Bay Audubon Society (TBAS). This gift marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to protect and manage one of Michigan’s most cherished wetland areas.

The Thunder Bay Audubon Society has been a dedicated steward of this land for decades, working to safeguard its ecological value. By transferring ownership to HWLC, TBAS is ensuring that conservation efforts will continue under the care of an organization committed to long-term land protection.

“Over the past year and a half, Thunder Bay Audubon Society (TBAS) has had several discussions about our Fletcher Pond property. Since the early 1980s, Thunder Bay Audubon Society has owned over 7,000 acres of bottomland on the Fletcher Floodwaters in Montmorency and Alpena counties. At the time, there were limited entities in Northeast Michigan that were dedicated to preserving lands and resources for future generations, hence TBAS filled that void for this property. As the years have gone by, to be good stewards of the land and accompanying wildlife, we have struggled with less active, older members. We are grateful for the opportunity to donate our Fletcher Pond property to Headwaters Land Conservancy as their mission aligns with ours to preserve and protect this special place,” said Karen Tetzlaff, TBAS President.

TBAS will remain actively involved in the osprey project, ensuring that these majestic birds continue to thrive at Fletcher Pond.

Land

Spanning parts of Alpena and Montmorency counties, Fletcher Pond is one of Michigan’s largest impoundments, providing critical habitat for a diverse array of plant and animal species, including migratory birds, fish, and native vegetation. 

Bottomlands are the submerged lands beneath a body of water, extending from the shoreline to the ordinary high-water mark. This means they are the land underneath lakes, rivers, or ponds, rather than the water itself. Ownership and management of bottomlands can be complex, as they often fall under a mix of private and public jurisdiction, depending on state laws, historical land grants, and conservation agreements.

In many cases, bottomlands are owned by the adjacent upland property owners, meaning those who own land directly next to the water also hold rights to the submerged lands extending from their property into the waterbody. These rights can be subject to restrictions, particularly when it comes to activities that impact water quality, habitat, or public access.

However, there are exceptions. In the case of Fletcher’s Pond, the bottomlands were not solely owned by adjacent property owners but instead the majority belonged to the Thunder Bay Audubon Society. This means that while the water in the pond is a shared resource, the physical lakebed itself was under the society’s ownership. The significance of acquiring bottomlands, as in this case, is that it allows for greater control over conservation efforts, habitat restoration, and the management of ecological resources.

Owning bottomlands can be particularly important for environmental protection, as these areas often contain critical habitats for fish, aquatic plants, and other wildlife. Additionally, controlling bottomlands can influence the use and management of the waterbody above, ensuring it is preserved for ecological and public benefits rather than being subject to degradation from private development or intensive use.

Planning A Visit

As HWLC does not own the water, it still remains the property of the State of Michigan, nothing will change in visiting the pond. Please be aware of your impact on inland waterways. Always practice clean, drain, dry on your watercrafts when exiting bodies of water in Michigan. Doing so will stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.