The wetland treatment site is located southwest of the lake. The land belongs to the State of Michigan and is dedicated to public and research uses.
Dots indicate water monitoring stations.
The community of Houghton Lake, located in the central lower peninsula of Michigan, has a seasonally variable population, averaging approximately 5,000. A sewage treatment plant was built in the early 1970 s to protect the large shallow recreational lake. Wastewater from this residential community is collected and transported to two 5-acre aerated lagoons, which provide six weeks detention. Sludge accumulates on the bottom of these lagoons, below the aeration pipes. Discharge can be to 85 acres of seepage beds, or to 85 acres of flood irrigation area, or to a 1500 acre peatland.