OFFICIALLY JUNE 26
BUT THE FUN HAPPENS ALL YEAR LONG
Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC), Friends of the Detroit River (FDR), Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) and Friends of the Rouge (FOTR) are celebrating National Canoe and Kayak Day on Sun. June 26. We encourage everyone to take advantage of the more than 200 miles of water trails across these four beautiful Southeast Michigan rivers all year long.
DOWNLOAD A RIVER BINGO CARD
AND EXPLORE NATURE AS YOU PADDLE!
Take a photo of your completed bingo card and post it on social media with hashtags
#semich #canoeandkayakday
CANOE & KAYAK DAY ACTIVITIES
Enjoy a paddle on your favorite Southeast Michigan river
CLINTON RIVER
Lots of Activities in Macomb County!
Clinton River Water Trail
The Clinton River Water Trail ranges from steep gradients to slow-moving waters and provides over 72 miles for everyone to paddle and enjoy. To learn more about the Water Trail, access trail maps and determine the best locations for your skill level, visit crwc.org/recreation/paddling.
Sunday, June 26, 11 am – 2 pm - CRWC Canoe and Kayak Day Paddle
Join the Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) for a paddle from Shelby Twp. to Utica. Prior to the paddle, representatives will host a quick educational session about CRWC’s new water trail app and resources available for paddlers. This paddle is for those comfortable with paddling. Paddlers will need to bring their own canoe or kayak and will be responsible for their own transportation at the conclusion of the paddle.
Launch location: Launch from Riverbends at Ryan Rd. and land in downtown Utica.
End celebration: Shamrock Pub, 7715 Auburn Road, Utica, MI 48317
We look forward to seeing you on the river!
DETROIT RIVER
Become a Friend of the Detroit River!
National Canoe and Kayak Day
June 26, 2022
9 a.m.
Bring your own boat, paddle, or flotation device. Meet at the launch for a relaxed pace paddle to discover and learn about invasive species. Register at: https://bit.ly/NationalCanoeDay Check Friends of the Detroit River’s Facebook page for more information.
HURON RIVER
Free Paddle Trips!
Hosted by the Huron River Watershed Council for Southeast Michigan Canoe & Kayak Week
Bring your own watercraft for an “out and back” paddle trip exploring a unique section of the Huron River National Water Trail. HRWC staff and local experts will give a short talk on the river’s ecology, history and features. Exact location of each meet up will be sent to participants after they register. Limited single person kayaks available for those in need.
Questions? Contact Allie Schneider at HRWC, aschneider@hrwc.org, (734) 769-5123 x 610
Sunday, June 26, 5 pm-8 pm
Paddle Meetup Argo Pond, Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor’s Argo Pond is nestled between the 22-acre Argo Park & Natural Area on the east side of the river and the 38-acre Bandemer Park on the west side. You might see the belted kingfishers, wood ducks and green herons that make the sheltered riverbanks their home. The dominant trees on the steep shoreline to the east are oaks and hickories, with an understory of black and choke cherry, white ash, American basswood, musclewood, and hop hornbeam. Argo Pond is one of the few places in the city where bullfrogs live, and there are at least five species of turtles that dig their nests along its banks. The area gets busy with summertime paddlers renting canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards at the canoe livery, and the south side of Bandemer Park is home to the Ann Arbor Rowing Club.
Boat Rental Information: Argo Park Canoe & Kayak Livery will provide discount kayak and canoe rentals ($5 per boat). Details upon registration.
Register at https://huronriverwatertrail.org/events/
Registration Form: https://hrwc.secure.force.com/volunteerEventRegisterPageBootstrap?cid=7013l0000017AKpAAM&
Do-It-Yourself River Cleanups on the Water or from the Shore
Picking up trash in the river and along the shore helps keep the Huron River and its tributaries healthy and safe for people and wildlife. Head out and spend an afternoon on the river or at a park – trash bag in hand! Use your own canoe or kayak, borrow one, or rent one and hit a section of the river to pick up trash while you paddle. Details on put in and take out locations throughout the Huron can be found thanks to the Huron River Watershsed Council at www.huronriverwatertrail.org. For how-to instructions on preparing for a cleanup, go to www.hrwc.org/cleanup.
Adopt-A-Stormdrain with the Huron River Watershed Council
Keep the Huron River free of trash and reduce neighborhood flooding. Stormdrains carry runoff and pollution to our waterways – no filters, no treatment. Regularly cleaning litter and debris from a storm drain’s grate is simple, and there are no strict timelines so you can volunteer whenever it is convenient for you. Learn more at www.hrwc.org/adoptastormdrain.
Huron River Water Trail
Explore the Huron River Water Trail—104 miles of inland paddling and five Trail Towns to welcome you—designated a National Water Trail by the National Park Service. Connect to the river’s natural environment, its history, and the communities it touches in Southeast Michigan. From rapids to placid flat water, from small town to city, a variety of adventures await. Find maps, links to outfitters, recommended trips, things to do and see in the Trail Towns and everything you need to plan your Water Trail adventure at www.huronriverwatertrail.org.
ROUGE RIVER
Come Enjoy the Rouge!
The Lower Rouge River Water Trail is a 27-mile (43.45 km) inland paddling trail connecting people to the river’s natural environment, its history, and the communities it touches in Michigan’s Rouge Watershed. A variety of paddling experiences await you. For kayaking, canoeing, and hiking off-shore, follow the Lower Rouge River Water Trail to learn what others already know – that the Rouge River is a Michigan treasure worth exploring.
https://therouge.org/water-trail/
National Canoe Day
Saturday June 25, 10am-2pm
Ford Field Park, Dearborn
Celebrate National Canoe Day with Friends of the Rouge. If you’ve never paddled before this is your chance to learn a few paddling safety tips and take a spin around the Ford Field Park Pond for free! Motor City Canoe Rental will provide livery services, including kayak or canoe rental and PFD’s for the scheduled paddle trip.
https://therouge.org/water-trail/water-trail-events/
Paddle Trail – New Canoe/Kayak Rental Open in Dearborn
Friends of the Rouge is excited to announce the opening of Motor City Canoe’s newest location at Ford Field in Dearborn. At this new location, Motor City Canoe offers rental canoes and kayaks for paddling in the Dearborn area of the Lower Rouge River Water Trail. The Ford Field location will be open on weekends for your summer paddling adventure. Please see their website for additional information about equipment rentals, services provided, and safety precautions.
https://therouge.org/paddle-trail-new-canoe-kayak-rental-open-in-dearborn/
RESPECT YOUR WATERSHED
It is important to remember that most water bodies support a wide variety of recreational uses. People use these water resources to swim, fish, boat and paddle. It is also important to remember that while some shoreline is public land, much is owned by private citizens, many of whom believe the shoreline is an extension of their front yard. Whether it’s interacting with local residents or other river users, paddlers have a responsibility to be good ambassadors of the water trail.
Interacting with Local Residents and Other River Access Users
Drive courteously and within the speed limit. Good driving etiquette, particularly in residential areas, is essential for maintaining positive relationships with those that live near paddling destinations.
Park in designated areas, making sure not to block driveways or interfere with traffic.
Change clothes discretely.
Do not play loud music.
Follow the laws and rules of the area that you are using.
Consider taking a few minutes to pick up litter left by others.
Interacting with Anglers
Stay in the main flow whenever possible while paddling past anglers or while paddling in heavily fished waters.
In areas that are being fished, paddle past consistently with minimal splashing or interference.
Avoid shouting or being loud.
Don’t approach casting anglers.
Avoid startling anglers. Pass anglers on highly visible paths down the river and make eye contact with the angler as far upstream as possible.
Interacting with Boaters
At put-ins and take-outs, behave in a friendly, positive manner toward others and be helpful to those who might need assistance.
Allow for spacing upstream and downstream of others, particularly in a rapid, and seek to avoid collisions.
When entering a rapid, the upstream craft has the right of way. Those entering the current should yield to those already in it.
When exiting the current, avoid eddies that are full, if possible, and take care when entering occupied eddies.
When playing, avoid blocking navigation by yielding to oncoming, upstream craft. Exit a play spot after a reasonable time to allow someone else to use it.
Always provide assistance to others who are in trouble or who are injured.
Tips provided by www.michiganwatertrails.org.
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN WAter trAILS
Thank you to www.michiganwatertrails.org for this interactive map
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Clinton River Watershed Council
Friends of the Detroit River
Huron River Watershed Council
Friends of the Rouge
