{{short description|River in Michigan, United States}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox river | name = Plaster Creek | image = PlasterCreekMI.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Plaster Creek west of Kalamazoo Avenue | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = United States | subdivision_type2 = State | subdivision_name2 = Michigan | subdivision_type3 = County | subdivision_name3 = Kent | source1_location = Gaines Township, Kent County, Michigan | mouth_location = Grand River at Grand Rapids, Michigan | length = {{convert|26|mi|km|abbr=on}} | source1_elevation = | mouth_elevation = {{convert|581|ft|m|abbr=on}} | discharge1_location= mouth | discharge1_avg = {{convert|66.42|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}} (''estimate'')<ref name=NHDPlus>{{Cite web|title=Watershed Report: Plaster Creek|author=United States Environmental Protection Agency|url=https://watersgeo.epa.gov/watershedreport/?comid=9007741|access-date=2021-07-01|url-status=live|website=watersgeo.epa.gov|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701234658/https://watersgeo.epa.gov/watershedreport/?comid=9007741|archivedate= 2021-07-01}}</ref> | basin_size = {{convert|57|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} | pushpin_map = Michigan | pushpin_map_caption = Location of the mouth within Michigan }} {{coord|42|56|56|N|85|41|55|W|display=title}}

'''Plaster Creek''' is a {{convert|25.9|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map], accessed May 19, 2011</ref> urban stream in Kent County, Michigan in the United States. It is a tributary of the Grand River. The stream is named for the large deposit of gypsum found at its mouth. Its mean monthly flow averages 22 million gallons per day.

Two bridges listed on the National Register of Historic Places cross the creek.

==Watershed== The headwaters are located in Dutton Shadyside Park, at Hanna Lake Avenue and 76th Street, just south of the unincorporated town of Dutton in Gaines Township. The creek flows into the Grand River just south of Wealthy Street in downtown Grand Rapids. The main stream is approximately {{convert|26|mi}} long and drains a {{convert|57|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} basin.

The Plaster Creek Watershed is considered to contain one of the most polluted creeks in West Michigan. Priority pollutants of the creek can be linked to stormwater runoff but include issues such as sedimentation, E.coli contamination, nutrient pollution, thermal pollution and toxic substances. However, local groups such as The [https://www.lgrow.org/ Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds] and [https://calvin.edu/plaster-creek-stewards/index.html Plaster Creek Stewards] have worked to address these issues. "Plaster Creek Stewards is a collaboration of Calvin University faculty, staff, and students working with local schools, churches, and community partners to restore the health and beauty of the watershed".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Plaster Creek Stewards |url=https://calvin.edu/plaster-creek-stewards/#:~:text=Plaster%20Creek%20Stewards%20is%20a,and%20beauty%20of%20the%20watershed. |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Calvin University |language=en}}</ref>

==Flora and fauna== Plaster Creek is a salmon spawning stream, and salmon have been seen as far upstream as the headwaters at Dutton Shadyside Park. The stream is not considered to be a trout stream, but has been designated as a warm water fishery. One endangered species ''Epioblasma triquetra'' (the snuffbox mussel) lives in the Plaster Creek watershed.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/wb-nps-plaster_cr_wmp_293403_7.pdf|title= Plaster Creek Watershed Management Plan |author= Fishbek, Thompson, Carr& Huber, Inc. |date=October 2008 |publisher= |location= |page= 20 |format= |accessdate= 24 April 2010|quote= }}</ref> The threatened Beak Grass (''Diarrhena americana'') as well as Endangered Virginia Bluebells (''Mertensia virginica)'' grows along the banks in some areas.

==Tributaries== Streams flowing into the creek include Little Plaster Creek, the small Maple Creek, Whiskey Creek, and the former Silver Creek, now culverted as the Silver Creek Drain.

==Trails== A series of trails along Plaster Creek is being planned in Grand Rapids:

;Plaster Creek Trail - Phase I Beginning at Ken-O-Sha Park School (1353 VanAuken SE) and following Plaster Creek, this pathway offers interpretive signs and a stunning display of spring-blooming wild flowers along the creek's bank and wetland areas. This portion of the Plaster Creek Trail is {{convert|1.2|mi|km}}.

;Plaster Creek Trail - Phase II The Plaster Creek extension is approximately {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} in length. It starts at Plaster Creek and Eastern Avenue, travels north on the east side of Eastern Avenue, crosses 28th Street, then proceeds westerly to Division Avenue. The trail serves two purposes, as a non-motorized trail and as a flood protection<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/ehp/plaster-creek-dea.pdf |title= Draft Environmental Assessment Plaster Creek Flood Mitigation Project |author= City of Grand Rapids, Michigan |date=April 2006 |format= }}</ref> and mitigation facility.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/download_upload/binary_object_cache/epsd_Blazing_New_Trails.pdf|title=Blazing New Trails|author=Randel Lemoine|accessdate=12 December 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728081443/http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/download_upload/binary_object_cache/epsd_Blazing_New_Trails.pdf|archivedate=28 July 2011}}</ref>

;Plaster Creek Trail - Phase III Division Avenue to Oxford Street.

Eventually, this trail will connect with Kent Trails and the Paul Henry-Thornapple Rail Trail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/download_upload/binary_object_cache/parksandrec_Kent%20County%20Parks%20and%20Trails.pdf|title=Kent County Trails & Parks|format=Map|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711014807/http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/download_upload/binary_object_cache/parksandrec_Kent%20County%20Parks%20and%20Trails.pdf|archivedate=2009-07-11}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{MichiganTrails}}

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Category:Geography of Grand Rapids, Michigan Category:Rivers of Kent County, Michigan Category:Tributaries of the Grand River (Michigan) Category:Rivers of Michigan