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 Sat. 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!
Guided Paddle on the Clinton River
Wednesday, June 23 – 6-9 p.m. and Thursday, June 24 – 6-9 p.m.Together with Simple Adventures and Clinton Township, the Clinton River Watershed Council is hosting two Paddle Safety Workshops along the Clinton River. The event will begin at Budd Park in Clinton Township with a one-hour on-land training and a safety overview followed by an approximately two-hour guided paddle to Shadyside Park in Mt. Clemens. Shuttles will be available to transport the paddlers between locations. The cost to participate is $65 and includes canoe or kayak rental. Lower ticket prices are available for those who bring a canoe or kayak, or individuals only interested in the on-land workshop. This program is great for beginners or those with limited paddling experience! Register today: https://www.simpleadventures.net/special-events
National Canoe and Kayak Day Send-Off
Saturday, June 26 – 8-10 a.m.In celebration of national Canoe and Kayak Day, Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) is encouraging paddlers to hit the river on Saturday, June 26. Members of the CRWC will be stationed at the Lake St. Clair Metro boat launch, sending paddlers off for a great day with dry bags, water trail maps and more. Stop by and visit the team, and bring a friend to experience what the Lake St. Clair or Clinton River Water Trail has to offer!
Weekly Clean
Every Wednesday in April-Nov. from 10 am – 12 pmFrom April through November, every Wednesday volunteers gather to help clean up different locations throughout the Clinton River Watershed. Weekly Clean events are for all ages, backgrounds and skill levels with activities ranging from on-land garbage collecting to paddling and water trail cleanups. This ongoing cleanup campaign is made possible by the hundreds of enthusiastic residents, students and volunteers who come together throughout the year to clean up the Clinton River, its watershed and Lake St. Clair. For any questions or additional information, please contact the CRWC at 248-601-0606.
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.
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, 2021
9 a.m.
To celebrate National Canoe and Kayak Day, Friends of the Detroit River will host a BYOK (Bring Your Own Kayak) group paddle departing from the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, 5437 W Jefferson Ave, Trenton. 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
Tuesday, June 22, put in @5pm, Oakwoods Metropark, New Boston
Paddle among the islands and along the scenic river shoreline as the Huron makes its way through Oakwoods Metropark in New Boston. Oakwoods is known for its mature woodlands, tallgrass prairies, and slow-moving backwaters with plentiful natural habitat for birds and waterfowl. You can expect to encounter a variety of bird species on this out and back paddle and could see bald eagles or ospreys, ducks, muskrats, swans, mink, or white-tailed deer. While the paddle trip is free, there will be a $10 per vehicle fee to enter the metropark, unless you have an annual pass.
Register: www.hrwc.org/paddleoakwoods
Thursday, June 24, put in @5pm, Bandemer Park, Ann Arbor
Paddle along three Ann Arbor nature areas, Bird Hills, Hilltop and Barton as you paddle upstream to Barton Dam a few miles north of the city. Barton Nature Area is 98-acres and contains the Barton oxbow, (a term used to refer to a u-shaped meander in a river). The present vegetation signals the history of the land here, suggesting that most of the oxbow was prairie and oak savanna prior to being farmed. Currently this area contains a mix of old field, dry prairie, wet meadow and shrubland, mesic forest, and emergent marsh, making habitat for a wide variety of birds, waterfowl, and turtles and a paddle trip that will feel like you are up north.
Register: www.hrwc.org/paddlebandemer
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 stormdrain’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
June 26, 2021
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.To celebrate National Canoe Day, Friends of the Rouge will partner with the National Kidney Foundation of MIchigan, and Motor City Canoe and Kayak Rental to promote paddling as a healthy fitness and recreation alternative! If you are a beginning paddler or if you’ve never paddled before, join us for the “Demo Day” session! This is your chance to learn basic boating safety tips and try a kayak on the Rouge River! We will also host two paddle trips for more experienced paddlers.
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
