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The Dead River Community Forest
The Life of the Dead River
There is a place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with a strong psyche, defined by its waters. One Ojibwe name for this meandering waterway is Jiibay-Manidoo-Ziibi, meaning river of spirits or river of ghosts. Some stories say that the spray in the gorges of its tumultuous falls resemble ascending spirits. Other stories passed down claim there are burial mounds along the river near present day Tourist Park. Another Indigenous name for the river is Noquemenon-Ziibi, or river of the berry patch of the Noque people, referring to the importance of the blueberry patches along the shores to the Noque people. When French settlers arrived, they stripped the name down to Rivière des Morts or River of the Dead. Today, the waters are now known as the Dead River.
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In the early 1900s, Edmund Longyear, and later his cousin John Munro Longyear, owned this land. This was a time when large tracts of land were purchased speculatively, often as potential railroad investments. Longyear may have held the DRCF parcels for mineral or timber interests. Historic vegetation maps from the 1800s shows us that this area was once primarily hemlock, maple, and cedar. Maple and cedar were coveted for high quality home furnishings, and hemlock was often used in the leather tanning process. The high demand for timber across the US at this time led to large swaths of deforestation. It is unclear whether these parcels were harvested and to what extent during Longyear’s ownership, but there is evidence that some timber was harvested historically.
In 1896, a wooden railroad bridge was built on the Bayous parcel across a steep waterfall on the Dead River for transport of mining and timber materials. This original wooden structure was outdated within twenty years as rail traffic increased and the modernizing railroad industry began to use larger, heavier locomotives. The current steel structure, commonly referred to as the Trestle Bridge, was built in 1916 by Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company, and was quite a feat of engineering at the time. It is still actively used today.
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Meanwhile on the Bridges parcel, the State Highway Department began the task of building a bridge across the Dead River in 1919. To accomplish this, they purchased an existing steel truss bridge from Pennsylvania that previously crossed the Allegheny River. The 271ft bridge was shipped to Marquette and was installed on the site in 1921. Despite the major flood event in 2003, the Old 510 Bridge survived, however over time the weight limit was reduced due to the aging structure. The Old 510 Bridge was decommissioned and closed to vehicular traffic in 2010 upon completion of the new 510 bridge. Both 510 bridges are owned by the Marquette County Road Commission, however, views of both can be seen from the DRCF Bridges parcel.
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The McClure Storage Basin and surrounding aquatic systems, including oxbow ponds, bayous, and vernal pools, create a dynamic hydrological network. Previously stocked with trout by the Michigan DNR, the basin now supports species like smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye, as reported by anglers. These water bodies are influenced by periodic flooding, sediment deposition, and spring runoff. They provide essential ecological services like water filtration and erosion control, aided by riparian vegetation that stabilizes the riverbanks. The Reany Creek-Dead River watershed scored an 81 out of 100 in the Importance to Drinking Water Index. Increasing the amount of preserved land within this watershed has the potential to improve the quality of water produced by this watershed, and it protects this natural resource used by our community from contamination or pollution that could come from development.
The Bridges parcel provides a fascinating window into the dramatic geological history of the region, including the cataclysmic Sudbury impact event approximately 1.85 billion years ago. This event, originating in Ontario about 500 km to the east, deposited a unique geological layer known as the Sudbury impact layer, which is exceptionally well-preserved at McClure and represents the thickest and most complete exposure in Michigan. This layer offers key insights into the processes involved in hypervelocity impacts and their effects on Earth's crust. The site is geologically unique not only for its proximity to the Sudbury impact but also for its location within a region shaped by glacial recession and tectonic history. The outcrops include iron-rich banded formations, carbonaceous slates, and sedimentary units with remnants of ancient volcanic activity. The dramatic terrain includes elevations ranging from 1300 to 1200 feet above sea level. These formations, combined with the impact layer, offer a rich archive of both terrestrial and extraterrestrial processes that shaped this area over billions of years.
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The Bayous parcel supports a rich diversity of habitats, ranging from mesic northern forests with sugar maple and eastern hemlock to largely undisturbed floodplain forests along the Dead River. These ecosystems provide vital resources for numerous species, including river otters, white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, and American beavers.
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Bird surveys have documented over 40 species, including nesting bald eagles. The mature and diverse forests, alongside forest edges and riparian areas, create habitats for neotropical migratory birds, raptors, waterfowl, and resident songbirds. The property's proximity to Lake Superior and the Dead River makes it an important stopover and migratory path for birds and other wildlife, connecting inland, snow-heavy areas to the lakeshore.
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Key features such as oxbow ponds and vernal pools provide critical breeding and foraging habitats, while mature trees and conifer-rich areas enhance biodiversity and support climate resilience across the landscape.
Bryon (seen pictured) and Amy Ennis’s journey to their McClure Basin home is a story of discovery, resilience, and a deep connection to the land’s geology and history. Amy, a Marquette native, grew up with ties to the local logging industry, while Bryon, recruited to play football at NMU, brought his East Coast roots to Michigan. The couple first encountered the basin’s natural beauty during their time as students, dreaming of one day living in this remarkable place. Years later, while paddling the basin, Bryon noticed smoke and traced it to a fire sparked by lightning. After extinguishing the blaze, they saw a for-sale sign on the property. By 1995, the land was theirs—a dream realized.
The property revealed unique geological wonders tied to the Sudbury meteor impact, including banded iron deposits from ancient oceanic collisions. Their journey to ownership reflected the broader challenges of preserving the area’s legacy. As land leasing costs rose, the McClure Basin Association formed, eventually enabling residents to secure their parcels. For Bryon and Amy, their ten-acre parcel, rich with outcroppings and history, stands as a testament to their commitment to a land shaped by time, fire, and community.
Collected here are glimpses of the Dead River Community Forest, the Dead River Watershed, surrounding geographies, waters, and landscapes. Here are images of people who have lived along its banks and cherished it as best they knew how. There are images of species who have been here for some time, and others who have just arrived. There are trees whose mysteries and lives far outlive our own. There are portals into the an animated world that is offering itself to us. What links these images together is a deep reverence, an acceptance of our place in this story, and a true gratitude for what remains.
One of the most cherished white pines on the property is seen here. Adored by UPLC staff and those fortunate enough to encounter it, we eagerly await the day the public can experience its majesty. For many Indigenous communities, the white pine holds profound spiritual significance, symbolizing The Great Peace. Among the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, it is known as the Tree of Peace and represents unity and democracy. Its long needles, growing in clusters of five, symbolize the original five nations of the confederacy, brought together under the Great Law of Peace—one of the earliest known systems of participatory governance. This tree embodies the values of peace, unity, and shared purpose, linking Michigan’s natural heritage with deep cultural and historical roots. It is also fittingly the state tree of Michigan.
UPLC is sharing the full collection of images from the DRCF in a limited edition book to supporters who make a gift of $500 or more this Giving Tuesday.
Your gift today will continue the story of the Dead River Community Forest
and places like it across the U.P.
In 2024, your donations supported
Hands-On Learning
Opportunities
This year, UPLC worked directly with 10 students from University of Michigan and Northern Michigan University to provide hand-on learning experiences.
These included access to property, research assistance, mentorship, and funding for materials.
Working with American Bird Conservancy and Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance, UPLC continued multi-year breeding bird surveys and initiated habitat restoration efforts. We also partnered with volunteers to restore riparian areas, stabilize stream banks, plant native saplings, and improve trails.
Protection of
Natural Resources
This year the Chocolay Bayou welcomed over 1,000 visitors through events such as
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Spring Birding Hike: Hikers witness the spring migration with bird experts from LWBA.
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4th Annual ArtWalk:
Art and music graces the trails of the Bayou and attendees have the opportunity to support local artists or create their own!
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Forest Forensics:
Travel through history by investigating the features of the forest which reveal clues of human impact and natural succession. ​​
Recreational Opportunities
for Everyone
And more...
or Give Below