Black River (Southwest Michigan)

:"For other "Black Rivers" in Michigan, see Black River (Michigan)."Black River is a river in the southwest part of the U.S. state of Michigan that empties into Lake Michigan in South Haven at coord|42|24|08|N|86|17|04|W|, where it discharges past the South Pier Lighthouse. The river takes its name from the dark brown color of its water, which is caused by suspended sediments and organic materials picked up along its course. The river supports a variety of wildlife including trout, snapping turtles, leeches, and many other varieties of flora and fauna.

About three miles from its mouth on Lake Michigan, the river forks, with the South Branch draining Van Buren County. Less than three miles further upstream, the river forks again into the Middle and North Branches. The Middle branch drains areas of both Van Buren and Allegan counties, and the North Branch watershed is entirely in Allegan County.

Tributaries (from mouth):
*South Branch Black River, rises in northeast Arlington Township
**Butternut Creek, confluence in northwest Geneva Township
**Cedar Creek, confluence in west central Geneva Township, rises in east central Covert Township
**Eastman Creek, confluence in central Geneva Township
**Maple Creek, confluence in Bangor
**Great Bear Lake Drain, confluence in Columbia Township just east of Breedsville
***Great Bear Lake (boundary between Columbia and Bloomingdale Township
**Lower and Upper Jeptha Lakes (Columbia Township)
**South and North Scott Lakes (Arlington Township)
*Middle Branch Black River, rises in Columbia Township
**Spice Bush Creek, confluence in east central Casco Township
**Scott Creek, confluence in east central Casco Township
***Lower and Upper Scott Lakes (Lee Township)
**Barber Creek, confluence in central Lee Township
***Saddle Lake, (Columbia Township)
**Osterhout Lake (Lee Township)
**Melvin Creek, confluence in southern Lee Township
*North Branch Black River, rises in boundary between Ganges Township and Clyde Township