Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed
Encyclopedia
The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed is a seventy-five mile-long waterway consisting of fourteen lakes and connecting rivers in the northwestern section of the Lower Peninsula
of the U.S. state
of Michigan
.
The watershed includes 500 square mile in Antrim County
, Charlevoix County
, Grand Traverse County
, and Kalkaska County
. The watershed includes a series of fourteen lakes and interconnecting rivers. From the uppermost lake in the chain, Beals Lake in Echo Township
, Antrim County, the water flows 55 miles (88.5 km) and drops 40 feet (12.2 m) in elevation. It has over 200 miles (321.9 km) of shoreline and almost 60 square mile of water surface.
in central Antrim County. From here, the waterway traverses a number of small lakes flowing north, then making a sharp turn near the village of Ellsworth
, flows south through a narrow valley, paralleling the tracks of the Pere Marquette Railroad, until emptying into Intermediate Lake. The outlet of Intermediate Lake converges with the Cedar River
in the village of Bellaire
, gaining considerable volume. Now a river of substantial flow, it continues south into 1700 acres (6.9 km²) Lake Bellaire. Leaving the lake, the stream becomes the Grass River
, winding for some two miles (3 km) through the scenic Grass River Natural Area before emptying into Clam Lake. Clam Lake in turn empties directly into Torch Lake
. At over 18000 acres (72.8 km²) in size, Torch Lake is the largest body of water in the system. The waterway, now clarified after traversing the immense depths of the lake, continues south through the Torch River, joins with the Rapid River
, a major tributary, and empties into Lake Skegemog
, a 2500 acres (10.1 km²) lake that is studded with large stump fields, the result of the flooding of timberlands when the lake level was raised several feet by the construction of the dam at the terminus of the system. Lake Skegemog, which is the meeting point of Grand Traverse
, Kalkaska
and Antrim
counties, is conjoined at its western end to 7700 acres (31.2 km²) Elk Lake
, the second-largest and final lake in the system. The outflow of Elk Lake, the Elk River
, flows a short distance to a power dam in the town of Elk Rapids
, then out into the east arm of the Grand Traverse Bay
of Lake Michigan
at . For most of its length, “The Chain” is navigable by small boat, broken up only by a dam in Bellaire. Larger boats are able to navigate between Elk Rapids and Torch Lake.
native Americans were inhabiting the region with the arrival of the first white settlers, who began arriving in the middle of the 19th century to attempt farming. The thin soils and short, cool summers made traditional farming difficult, and the region remained sparsely settled until the 1880s, when lumber interests began exploiting the regions vast tracts of white pine
forests. The waterway provided an excellent means of transporting logs down to sawmills located along the way. The arrival of the railroads in the 1890s accelerated lumbering and other economic activities, and brought in visitors from distant places, who marveled at the natural beauty of lakes and rivers of the chain, turning it into a major destination for vacationers from downstate and elsewhere. Scores of resorts cropped up on the shorelines of all the major lakes of the system, catering to fisherman and wild-life enthusiasts. By 1910, the lumber era had all but passed, and many of the towns and villages in the area that had prospered from its riches went into decline. Many of the regions farmers, having failed to get decent yields of traditional crops, either moved on, or turned to cultivation of fruit crops, most notably cherries, as the areas sandy soil and cool lake climate were found to be quite favorable for growing such produce. Fruit farming and tourism became, and is to this day, the leading economic activities of the region.
Lower Peninsula of Michigan
The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is the southern of the two major landmasses of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border, which it shares with Ohio and Indiana. Geographically, the Lower Peninsula has a recognizable shape that many people...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
.
The watershed includes 500 square mile in Antrim County
Antrim County, Michigan
-History:Antrim County was formed in 1863. In 1950 its population was 10,721. The county seat was originally located in Elk Rapids, but was moved to Bellaire in 1904 after 25 years of litigation.-Demographics:...
, Charlevoix County
Charlevoix County, Michigan
-Airports:*Beaver Island is served by two airlines:**Welke Airport**Beaver Island Airport-Ferry service:*Beaver Island Boat Company maintains a regular auto ferry from Charlevoix:*The Ironton Ferry at Ironton, Michigan crosses the south arm of Lake Charlevoix...
, Grand Traverse County
Grand Traverse County, Michigan
-Air service:*Grand Traverse County is served by Cherry Capital Airport, which is located near Traverse City.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 77,654 people, 30,396 households, and 20,730 families residing in the county. The population density was 167 people per square mile . ...
, and Kalkaska County
Kalkaska County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,571 people, 6,428 households, and 4,634 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile . There were 10,822 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
. The watershed includes a series of fourteen lakes and interconnecting rivers. From the uppermost lake in the chain, Beals Lake in Echo Township
Echo Township, Michigan
Echo Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 928.- Communities :Pleasant Valley is an unincorporated community in the township at .-Geography:...
, Antrim County, the water flows 55 miles (88.5 km) and drops 40 feet (12.2 m) in elevation. It has over 200 miles (321.9 km) of shoreline and almost 60 square mile of water surface.
Geography
The chain of lakes system begins with the upper stage of the Intermediate River, which rises in hill country at 45°00′20"N 85°04′45"W in the northwest corner of Chestonia TownshipChestonia Township, Michigan
Chestonia Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 546 at the 2000 census. From the 1901 to 1932, the junction of the East Jordan and Southern and the Detroit and Charlevoix railroads lied within the township.-Geography:According to the United...
in central Antrim County. From here, the waterway traverses a number of small lakes flowing north, then making a sharp turn near the village of Ellsworth
Ellsworth, Michigan
Ellsworth is a village in Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 483 at the 2000 census. The village is primarily a bedroom community with its primary industry being gravel and other aggregates. Agriculture and forestry are also important industries...
, flows south through a narrow valley, paralleling the tracks of the Pere Marquette Railroad, until emptying into Intermediate Lake. The outlet of Intermediate Lake converges with the Cedar River
Cedar River (Antrim County, Michigan)
Cedar River is a stream in Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan and is part of the Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed.The Cedar River rises in southwest Chestonia Township at and flows mostly to the west into the Intermediate River in Bellaire at ....
in the village of Bellaire
Bellaire, Michigan
Bellaire is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,164. It is the county seat of Antrim County. The town has a very scenic main street, and is a popular location for tourists. Bellaire is also home to the Antrim County Courthouse, a historic...
, gaining considerable volume. Now a river of substantial flow, it continues south into 1700 acres (6.9 km²) Lake Bellaire. Leaving the lake, the stream becomes the Grass River
Grass River (Michigan)
The Grass River is a short river in Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of a watershed that begins in northern Antrim County with Intermediate Lake, which is connected by the Intermediate River with Lake Bellaire. The Grass River flows from Lake Bellaire into Clam Lake, which...
, winding for some two miles (3 km) through the scenic Grass River Natural Area before emptying into Clam Lake. Clam Lake in turn empties directly into Torch Lake
Torch Lake (Antrim County, Michigan)
Torch Lake at long is Michigan's longest inland lake and at approximately 18,770 acres is Michigan's second largest inland lake. National Geographic rated it the third most beautiful lake in the world. An average property on Torch Lake costs approximately two million dollars...
. At over 18000 acres (72.8 km²) in size, Torch Lake is the largest body of water in the system. The waterway, now clarified after traversing the immense depths of the lake, continues south through the Torch River, joins with the Rapid River
Rapid River (Kalkaska County, Michigan)
Rapid River is a river in Kalkaska County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river empties into Torch River at the community of Torch River just south of Torch Lake....
, a major tributary, and empties into Lake Skegemog
Lake Skegemog
Lake Skegemog is a Northern Michigan lake located on the border of three counties, Antrim County, Michigan, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, and Kalkaska County, Michigan, with a surface area of . The Lake is attached to Elk Lake and is considered to be part of the Northwest Michigan Chain O'Lakes...
, a 2500 acres (10.1 km²) lake that is studded with large stump fields, the result of the flooding of timberlands when the lake level was raised several feet by the construction of the dam at the terminus of the system. Lake Skegemog, which is the meeting point of Grand Traverse
Grand Traverse County, Michigan
-Air service:*Grand Traverse County is served by Cherry Capital Airport, which is located near Traverse City.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 77,654 people, 30,396 households, and 20,730 families residing in the county. The population density was 167 people per square mile . ...
, Kalkaska
Kalkaska County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,571 people, 6,428 households, and 4,634 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile . There were 10,822 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
and Antrim
Antrim County, Michigan
-History:Antrim County was formed in 1863. In 1950 its population was 10,721. The county seat was originally located in Elk Rapids, but was moved to Bellaire in 1904 after 25 years of litigation.-Demographics:...
counties, is conjoined at its western end to 7700 acres (31.2 km²) Elk Lake
Elk Lake (Michigan)
Elk Lake is located in Antrim and Grand Traverse counties in Northern Michigan. The lake is about a mile and a half wide and nine miles long, and is centered at near the town of Elk Rapids. It has maximum depth of , making it Michigan's second deepest after Torch Lake...
, the second-largest and final lake in the system. The outflow of Elk Lake, the Elk River
Elk River (Michigan)
The Elk River is a very short but significant river in the Lake Michigan drainage basin of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is only 1.5 miles in length, and flows from Elk Lake into Grand Traverse Bay. It forms a waterway and harbor for the municipality of Elk Rapids.Elk Lake is 192 feet deep and...
, flows a short distance to a power dam in the town of Elk Rapids
Elk Rapids, Michigan
Elk Rapids is a village in Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,700 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Elk Rapids Township, about north of Traverse City. It is physically split by the Elk River, which runs between nearby Elk Lake and Grand Traverse...
, then out into the east arm of the Grand Traverse Bay
Grand Traverse Bay
Grand Traverse Bay is a bay of Lake Michigan formed by part of Northern Michigan. The bay is long, 10 miles wide, and up to deep in spots. It is divided into two arms by the Old Mission Peninsula...
of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
at . For most of its length, “The Chain” is navigable by small boat, broken up only by a dam in Bellaire. Larger boats are able to navigate between Elk Rapids and Torch Lake.
History
Various tribes of primarily OjibwaOjibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
native Americans were inhabiting the region with the arrival of the first white settlers, who began arriving in the middle of the 19th century to attempt farming. The thin soils and short, cool summers made traditional farming difficult, and the region remained sparsely settled until the 1880s, when lumber interests began exploiting the regions vast tracts of white pine
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus, commonly known as the eastern white pine, is a large pine native to eastern North America, occurring from Newfoundland west to Minnesota and southeastern Manitoba, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to the northern edge of Georgia.It is occasionally known as simply white pine,...
forests. The waterway provided an excellent means of transporting logs down to sawmills located along the way. The arrival of the railroads in the 1890s accelerated lumbering and other economic activities, and brought in visitors from distant places, who marveled at the natural beauty of lakes and rivers of the chain, turning it into a major destination for vacationers from downstate and elsewhere. Scores of resorts cropped up on the shorelines of all the major lakes of the system, catering to fisherman and wild-life enthusiasts. By 1910, the lumber era had all but passed, and many of the towns and villages in the area that had prospered from its riches went into decline. Many of the regions farmers, having failed to get decent yields of traditional crops, either moved on, or turned to cultivation of fruit crops, most notably cherries, as the areas sandy soil and cool lake climate were found to be quite favorable for growing such produce. Fruit farming and tourism became, and is to this day, the leading economic activities of the region.
Rivers and lakes in the watershed
The fourteen lakes (numbered) and connecting waterways in the chain of lakes are highlighted in bold. Other tributaries are in normal text- Elk RiverElk River (Michigan)The Elk River is a very short but significant river in the Lake Michigan drainage basin of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is only 1.5 miles in length, and flows from Elk Lake into Grand Traverse Bay. It forms a waterway and harbor for the municipality of Elk Rapids.Elk Lake is 192 feet deep and...
- 1) Elk LakeElk Lake (Michigan)Elk Lake is located in Antrim and Grand Traverse counties in Northern Michigan. The lake is about a mile and a half wide and nine miles long, and is centered at near the town of Elk Rapids. It has maximum depth of , making it Michigan's second deepest after Torch Lake...
- Williamsburg Creek
- Bissell Pond
- Bissell Creek
- Bissell Pond
- Battle Creek
- 2) Lake SkegemogLake SkegemogLake Skegemog is a Northern Michigan lake located on the border of three counties, Antrim County, Michigan, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, and Kalkaska County, Michigan, with a surface area of . The Lake is attached to Elk Lake and is considered to be part of the Northwest Michigan Chain O'Lakes...
- Barker Creek
- Desmond Creek
- Torch River
- Rapid RiverRapid River (Kalkaska County, Michigan)Rapid River is a river in Kalkaska County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river empties into Torch River at the community of Torch River just south of Torch Lake....
- Rugg Pond (also known as Antrim Pond)
- Little Rapid River
- Rugg Pond (also known as Antrim Pond)
- 3) Torch Lake (Antrim County, Michigan)Torch Lake (Antrim County, Michigan)Torch Lake at long is Michigan's longest inland lake and at approximately 18,770 acres is Michigan's second largest inland lake. National Geographic rated it the third most beautiful lake in the world. An average property on Torch Lake costs approximately two million dollars...
- Spencer Creek
- Eastport Creek
- Wilkinson Creek (also Wilkenson Creek)
- 4) Clam Lake
- Finch Creek
- Crow Creek
- Grass RiverGrass River (Michigan)The Grass River is a short river in Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of a watershed that begins in northern Antrim County with Intermediate Lake, which is connected by the Intermediate River with Lake Bellaire. The Grass River flows from Lake Bellaire into Clam Lake, which...
- Cold Creek
- Shanty Creek
- 5) Lake Bellaire
- Grass Creek
- Intermediate River
- Cedar RiverCedar River (Antrim County, Michigan)Cedar River is a stream in Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan and is part of the Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed.The Cedar River rises in southwest Chestonia Township at and flows mostly to the west into the Intermediate River in Bellaire at ....
- Blair Lake
- North Branch Cedar River
- Woolcott Creek
- 6) Intermediate Lake
- Openo Creek
- Fisk Creek
- 7) Hanley Lake
- Green River
- Ogletree Creek
- Kitty Ann Creek
- Toad Lake
- Toad Creek
- Mud Lake
- Little Torch Lake
- Mud Lake
- Toad Creek
- 8) Ben-way Lake
- Benway Creek
- 9) Wilson Lake
- Vonstraten Creek
- King Creek
- Eaton Lake
- 10) Ellsworth Lake
- Skinner Creek
- Skinner Lake
- Marion Creek
- 11) St. Clair Lake
- St. Clair Creek
- Lyman Creek
- Lymans Lake (also Lyman Lake)
- Lyman Creek
- 12) Sixmile Lake
- Liscon Creek
- Ranney Creek
- Vance Creek
- Dingman River
- Smith Creek
- 13) Scotts Lake
- Beal Creek
- 14) Beals Lake
- Intermediate River
- Spence Creek
- Taylor Creek
- Seamon Creek
- Hitchcock Creek
- Intermediate River
- Liscon Creek
- St. Clair Creek
- Skinner Creek
- Vonstraten Creek
- Ogletree Creek
- Green River
- Cedar River
- Finch Creek
- Rapid River
- Williamsburg Creek
- 1) Elk Lake
Cities, villages, and townships in the watershed
The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed includes all or portions of the following cities, villages, and townships:- Antrim CountyAntrim County, Michigan-History:Antrim County was formed in 1863. In 1950 its population was 10,721. The county seat was originally located in Elk Rapids, but was moved to Bellaire in 1904 after 25 years of litigation.-Demographics:...
- Banks TownshipBanks Township, MichiganBanks Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,813.- Communities :...
- BellaireBellaire, MichiganBellaire is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,164. It is the county seat of Antrim County. The town has a very scenic main street, and is a popular location for tourists. Bellaire is also home to the Antrim County Courthouse, a historic...
- Central LakeCentral Lake, MichiganCentral Lake is a village in Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 990 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Central Lake Township.-Geography:...
- Central Lake TownshipCentral Lake Township, MichiganCentral Lake Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,254 at the 2000 census. The Village of Central Lake is located within the township.-Geography:...
- Chestonia TownshipChestonia Township, MichiganChestonia Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 546 at the 2000 census. From the 1901 to 1932, the junction of the East Jordan and Southern and the Detroit and Charlevoix railroads lied within the township.-Geography:According to the United...
- Custer TownshipCuster Township, Antrim County, MichiganCuster Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 988 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Echo TownshipEcho Township, MichiganEcho Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 928.- Communities :Pleasant Valley is an unincorporated community in the township at .-Geography:...
- EllsworthEllsworth, MichiganEllsworth is a village in Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 483 at the 2000 census. The village is primarily a bedroom community with its primary industry being gravel and other aggregates. Agriculture and forestry are also important industries...
- Elk RapidsElk Rapids, MichiganElk Rapids is a village in Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,700 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Elk Rapids Township, about north of Traverse City. It is physically split by the Elk River, which runs between nearby Elk Lake and Grand Traverse...
- Forest Home TownshipForest Home Township, MichiganForest Home Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,858 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Helena TownshipHelena Township, MichiganHelena Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 878 at the 2000 census.- Communities :* Alden is an unincorporated community in the township on the southeast end of Torch Lake...
- Kearney TownshipKearney Township, MichiganKearney Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,764 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census...
- Mancelona TownshipMancelona Township, MichiganMancelona Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,100 at the 2000 census.- Communities :* The Village of Mancelona is located within the township at the junction of US 131 and M-88 and M-66...
- Milton TownshipMilton Township, Antrim County, MichiganMilton Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,072 at the 2000 census.- Communities :...
- Star TownshipStar Township, MichiganStar Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 745 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Torch Lake TownshipTorch Lake Township, Antrim County, MichiganTorch Lake Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,159.-Communities:...
- Warner TownshipWarner Township, MichiganWarner Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 389 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Banks Township
- Charlevoix CountyCharlevoix County, Michigan-Airports:*Beaver Island is served by two airlines:**Welke Airport**Beaver Island Airport-Ferry service:*Beaver Island Boat Company maintains a regular auto ferry from Charlevoix:*The Ironton Ferry at Ironton, Michigan crosses the south arm of Lake Charlevoix...
- Marion TownshipMarion Township, Charlevoix County, MichiganMarion Township is a civil township of Charlevoix County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,492 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Norwood TownshipNorwood Township, MichiganNorwood Township is a civil township of Charlevoix County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 714 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- South Arm TownshipSouth Arm Township, MichiganSouth Arm Township is a civil township of Charlevoix County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,844 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Marion Township
- Grand Traverse CountyGrand Traverse County, Michigan-Air service:*Grand Traverse County is served by Cherry Capital Airport, which is located near Traverse City.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 77,654 people, 30,396 households, and 20,730 families residing in the county. The population density was 167 people per square mile . ...
- Whitewater TownshipWhitewater Township, MichiganWhitewater Township is a civil township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,467 at the 2000 census.-Communities:...
- Whitewater Township
- Kalkaska CountyKalkaska County, Michigan-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,571 people, 6,428 households, and 4,634 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile . There were 10,822 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
- Clearwater TownshipClearwater Township, MichiganClearwater Township is a civil township of Kalkaska County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,382...
- Cold Springs Township
- KalkaskaKalkaska, MichiganKalkaska is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 2,226. It is the county seat of Kalkaska County.-Geography:...
- Kalkaska TownshipKalkaska Township, MichiganKalkaska Township is a civil township of Kalkaska County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,830 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Rapid River TownshipRapid River Township, MichiganRapid River Township is a civil township of Kalkaska County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,005 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Clearwater Township
- Otsego CountyOtsego County, Michigan-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,301 people, 8,995 households, and 6,539 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 13,375 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...
- Elmira TownshipElmira Township, MichiganElmira Township is a civil township of Otsego County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,598 at the 2000 census.-Communities:*Elmira is an unincorporated community on M-32 at the western boundary of the township.-Geography:...
- Elmira Township
External links
- Elk River Watershed, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
- Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality