• In 1976, the Natural Resources Commission designated the Boardman River as a "Natural River" worthy of special protection and management.
  
  
• In 1986, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division selected the Boardman River as a "Blue Ribbon" trout stream. According to the state, Blue Ribbon trout streams are Michigan's best trout streams, support excellent stocks of wild resident trout, and, among other qualities, have an earned reputation for a quality trout fishing experience.
  
  
• Almost 55% of the Watershed is forested, which helps support and maintain the river's high quality and diverse wildlife populations, and recreational value. Agriculture comprises 17% of the Watershed, wetlands 3%, and open areas and water bodies account for 17%. The remaining 8% of the land area is in urban areas.
  
  
• The Boardman River originates at an elevation of 1,090 feet above sea level, and drops to an elevation at 580 feet at the mouth.
  
  
• The average daily discharge (near Mayfield) is 192 cubic feet per second.
  
  
• The river system is conducive to cold water fish species having a cold, clean water supply; productive gravel bottom for food organisms; and suitable escape cover and spawning habitat.
  
  
• The Watershed contains a wide variety of timber cover. Areas immediate to the river contain tag alder, willows, ninebark, highbush cranberry and dogwood with varying mixtures of cedar, balsam, hemlock, tamarack, aspen, and white birch. Upland areas contain red oak, red maple, aspen and jack pine with large white pines and red pines scattered throughout both the upland and lowland areas.
  
  
• About 75% of the Watershed area is in private ownership. The remaining 25% is in state ownership within the boundaries of state forests. About 54% of the river frontage is commercially or privately owned. The remaining 46% is state owned.

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