Springtime fallen tree cleanup on Shiawassee River

Steve Hoffman and Doug Lanyk set out on Sunday with 75 degree F air temps

and 45 degree high water to clear the Shiawassee River  between Holly and Fenton.

Another 8 dead fall tree blockages were removed by chainsaws and they worked
until the machines ran out of gas making a full day of it all.

Springtime is always a rough start with deadfall from winter and spring storms.
Once the big stuff is cleared each year, the river is quite navigable along the 7 mile trail.


View Holly - Shiawassee River in a larger map

Thanks to to the hard work of Headwaterstrails Inc. 

the river will soon be ready for paddlesport activities.

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Average AIR temperatures in Fenton Michigan

Soon the connecting ponds and lakes will be free of ice - enabling paddling.

The water temps will still be bone chilling without proper clothing the next few weeks
-take the appropriate precautions and if you don't know what they are, stay home.

Spring snow melt and rain can cause very swift current on the Shiawassee River

{ click on the chart below for a better view }

REI Awards Grant for New Fenton Launch Site

REI Awards Grant for new Kayak and Canoe Launch Site in Fenton,Michigan at Bush Park

On behalf of the newly formed volunteer group promising to look after river issues in the Fenton to Argentine stretch -- Keepers of the Shiawassee -- Headwaters Trials applied for and received a grant in the amount of $3579. It is the plan of Keepers to encourage urban kayaking by developing a short learning paddle river segment around Bush Park in Fenton, Michigan.

http://www.cityoffenton.org/parks/bush.asp

The Fenton Rotary Club has an annual commitment to maintaining and improving that park. They will install an at-grade launch next to the Gazebo which can be accessed from North Leroy street. Then next spring Keepers will grade the banks and create a similar launch site one-eighth of a mile upstream.

Novice paddlers, especially families with children, will be able to practice their canoe or kayak skills from one launch to the other, all within the reach of Bush Park amenities--parking, restrooms, playscape, and picnic areas.

Southern Lakes Parks and Recreation will offer classes for children and adults using this stretch. Collectively, all participants hope to introduce new participants to the river and its possibilities for close to home recreation.

REI is a national outdoor retail co-op with three stores in southeast Michigan--Troy, Northville and Ann Arbor.



http://www.headwaterstrailsinc.org/about_us.htm
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DDA plan outlines projects for next 15 years

Shiawassee Riverwalk, a walkway on both sides of the river from Rackham Park toward Bush Park, $500,000.

Canoe Launches, two, accessing the Shiawassee River and Fenton Mill Pond, $160,000.


Tri-County Times > Archives > News > Local > DDA plan outlines projects for next 15 years

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Fenton kayak launch in Millpond Park

 This would be awesome and well recieved by many paddlers

Fenton Downtown Development Authority considering installing kayak launch in Millpond Park (with poll) | MLive.com

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Shiawassee River June 6th, 2010 Canoe Kayak Race and Fun Paddle

Holly to Fenton Canoe/Kayak Race & Pleasure Paddle

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Paddle 7 Miles from WaterWorks Park in Holly to Strom Park in Fenton

Mail Registration
http://www.headwaterstrailsinc.org/RiverRaceregistrationform2010.doc

PUT-IN
-WaterWorks Park -
602 South Broad St, Holly, MI 48442-1674

TAKE-OUT
--Strom Park--
299 South East Street, Fenton,MI
near the East Street Bridge.

Schedule:
10:00 am On-site registration begins
11:30 am Introductory Ceremony
11:45 am Experienced Canoeists
12:15 pm Novice/Youth Canoeists
12:45 pm Kayak/ Single person canoeists
1:00-2:00 Pleasure paddle begins
1 - 6 pm Continuous race results and trophies
6:00 pm Final river sweep completed

Canoe rentals, call 248-685-2379.
Canoes available for rental thru Heavners Livery
Shuttle transport all day long until 6pm

Prizes for First, Second & Third Places in all three races.

Ribbons for all entrants.

Enter the following category:
Experienced 2-person canoe team
Novice/Youth 2-person canoeists
Kayaks/ Single person canoeists
Pleasure Run (per craft)

Children under 12 paddle free.

Questions ?

Call Sue Julian, 248-634-3513
or email sjulian @ provide dot net

Call Doug Lanyk 248-634-4551
or email dslanyk @ comcast dot net

Call Willi Gutmann 586-215-6387
or e-mail Willi_H2O @ Yahoo dot Com

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** Maps **
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=111387343905039436857.00043cdbc211bc40f011d&z=14
-
http://shiawassee-river.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-map-for-shiawassee-river-heritage.html
-
http://shiawassee-river.blogspot.com/2007/10/map-for-shiawassee-river.html#links

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**Additional info**
http://www.headwaterstrailsinc.org/about_us.htm
http://shiawassee-river.blogspot.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiawassee_River
**Videos**
http://www.youtube.com/user/WilliH2O
**Pictures**
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/558922603hqUlLA
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/558834458DganqU
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/547204034BrRPch



Please make checks payable to
Headwaters Trails, Inc. and Mail to: P.O. Box 33, Holly, MI, 48442-0033.

Enjoy an Adventure on the Shiawassee River!
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Kayaking Shiawassee : Holly to Argentine

We Made It! Holly to McCaslin Lk. Rd. past Argentine.

Google Earth view - detailed gps map


Shiawassee River detailed gps map

Willi and I left Waterworks Park just after 8:00 AM. It was a clear
brisk morning with the temperatures in the high 20's The sun glinting
off of the frost was a preview of the beauty that we would see. The
water is very high! Beware the 3 tubes at this water level. I became
fully awake when I did a gear check in the middle tube. My equipment
for the day included my new Prijon kayak, my new drysuit, and the skirt
from my Dagger. The Prijon is a lot longer and narrower than my
dagger. When I tried to duck low and shoot the tube my control was
minimal. Between the high current and my lack of experience in this
boat I ended up practicing my half roll. The positives of the incident
are. My skirt held even if it is not a perfect fit, and my drysuit
works well. A little bit of pumping and chasing down a runaway thermos
put us back on the quest. There are several passable but annoying trees
down in the next 2 miles so it was a bit of a slog. For those who
want to explore you can go down several channels not normally open.
From Fish Lake Rd. to Fenton it was a smooth paddle. That may change a
bit with lower watter levels. In Fenton we picked up Steve for the rest
of the trip. Steve also thought swimming was a good idea. He tried a
commando launch below the Fenton dam. After a little bit of pumping we
were on our way. From the dam to Strom park is a wild and fun ride.
It's most of a mile of solid class II rapids. Be sure to duck at the
bridges. There are 2 trees down near Bush Park and another half a dozen
or so down behind the apartments. Two of which involve a portage. Lake
Ponemah was a high energy paddle. There was a steady 20 MPH Southerly
breeze and the associated white caps. We ordered carry out from the
Linden Hotel from Tupper Lake. This gave us a nice rest while sitting
in the terraces looking at the Linden water wheel. From Linden to Hogan
Rd. it was a great paddle, wide fast and smooth. Past Hogan Rd. there
were more trees down. We would have been portaging if is wasn't for the
flood. The waste water plant is having an issue. "The Digester process
has experienced an upset." is a quote from Joe Goergen from Genesee
Drain Commissioners office. In short at the moment it stinks. Once we
left the woods past the sportsmens club It was a smooth paddle for the
rest of the day. We pulled up at McCaslin Rd about 7 PM. It was a full
day. 21.8 miles with a lot of trees down. Time to fire up the chainsaws.

Doug.


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Shiawassee River : Holly to Argentine

Click on link above to see detailed individual photos in high resolution
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Keeping the Shiawassee River navigable for paddlers

Written by Doug Lanyk - Sunday , 11/8/2009

What a day! Steve H and I met at 10:30 to stage cars and clear the 3 portages and 2 other downed trees on the Holly to Fenton stretch of the river.
We hadn't even spotted my truck in Fenton When the kayaks started to roll in. The sunshine and the mid 60's had everyone out. Of course I was on a mission to cut dead trees so I was dressed to spend the day in 45 deg. water. I found it embarrassing having just had our grand opening and the river blocked up already. We set off from Waterworks park in good order planing to put the location tags on the emergency takeout sign at the wastewater plant as our first stop. I was going to put my 5mm neoprene chest waders on there. So much for good plans. There were multiple trees down behind the Holly Convalescent Center. Three trees were down requiring you to get out of your boat and 2 more low enough the it would be a challenge for most canoes. Steve was dressed to get wet but since it was looking like a long day in the water, we tried to keep him dry. The first of the kayaks passed us there. Finishing off the sign behind the WWTP we did have clear sailing
(or technically paddling) down to the Headwaters Trails property. 2 weeks ago we could scoot by on the left. Today it required getting out of the boat. It was a messy tree with lots of branches catching
everything else coming down the river.




Steve  worked from the bank pulling the debris up on the flood plain. That took another 15 minutes and it was starting to look like a long day. The next ten kayaks passed us there. The third set of kayaks passed us while I was breaking up the logjam just passed Fish Lake Rd. It was on the first sharp corner after the culvert. I wish I new how to fix that spot within the river clearing guidelines. It's a reoccurring problem. Another bunch of fine paddlers caught up to us while I was clearing the 3 blockages in and just passed the tornado zone. The first 2 trees weren't too bad beside the fact that the water was belly button deep. One of them was over 20" diameter. The next bunch was in a spot with a nasty portage.

The start of the marsh had the ground soggy and no good spot to land. 5 trunks had come down on top of each other. It was blocking so much river there was a buildup of water on the up stream side. This was a dicey piece of cutting. No mater how I cut each trunk it wanted to pinch my blade. The kayakers were patient and cheered me on. Giving me a captive audience to sell all the good works done by Headwaters Trails. While I whittled down the trees, Steve put up the Shiawassee logo on milepost 3. Eventually it was cut through and we bid the last of the groups adieu. It still took another 15 minutes or so to finish cutting up the trees. The river was mostly clear after that. Although I did end up cutting several more trees that made the river more of an adventure than it needed to be. Our last task was mounting the logo on milepost 5. There we saw the last of several fishermen that had come up from Fenton by canoe. We slogged our tired butts up to my truck about a quarter after 4:00.

Happy Trails Doug.

Heritage Water trail

By Liz Shaw | Flint Journal   October 16, 2009, 2:55PM

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/10/new_signage_marks_heritage_wat.html

 

View full size            Elizabeth Shaw | Flint Journal 

Canoeists and kayakers prepare to launch at the annual Canoe in Color tour of the Heritage Water Trail on the Shiawassee River from Holly to Fenton

HOLLY and FENTON, Michigan — Not even a gray and rainy sky could dampen spirits at the annual Canoe in Color paddling tour of the Heritage Water Trail along the top of the Shiawassee River from Holly to Fenton.

On Oct. 3, about 60 hardy souls launched a flotilla of canoes and kayaks from Waterworks Park in Holly for the 2.5-hour paddle along the seven-mile route to Strom Park in Fenton.

The day’s only incident was a brief jam-up of kayaks trying to maneuver through a trio of tubes under the railroad tracks, largely thanks to the efforts of a hardworking crew of volunteers who cleared the river of obstacles earlier in the week.

Many were the same die-hard enthusiasts who sawed logs and cleared brush for weeks after a 2007 tornado blocked the route with dozens of broken and uprooted trees.

 

View full size           Elizabeth Shaw | Flint Journal 

Doug Lanyk, vice-president of Headwaters Trails

“Rumor had it that there were two trees interfering with easy passage. Turned out that a wind storm ... knocked down several more,” said Doug Lanyk, vice president of Headwaters Trails, a nonprofit dedicated to building a land-and-water trail network throughout northwestern Oakland County’s headwaters region, where the Shiawassee River begins.

“We ended up cutting six trees out of the way, as well as trimming a bunch of face-slapping branches. Some slobs had put a bag of garbage in the river that we fished out, (too).”

The group also erected the new interpretive signs, mile markers and emergency posts along the route.

“The water has cooled down quite a bit. Working in shorts with water up to my belly button was invigorating,” joked Willi Gutmann, another Headwaters Trails volunteer.

Funded by a $25,500 grant from the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network, the new signage marks the climax of years of dreams and hard work by Headwaters Trails and others.

Many credit that success to Headwaters Trails president Sue Julian and husband Chuck, longtime champions for restoring the waterway and increasing its recreational opportunities.

Fenton Area Paddlers founder Maggie Yerman likened the Rose Township couple to John Muir, the legendary naturalist who founded the Sierra Club to foster and protect the fledgling national parks system in the early 1900s.

Like Muir, the Julians have a wider goal that reaches far beyond that one seven-mile stretch, said Yerman.

 

View full size    Elizabeth Shaw | Flint Journal 

Headwaters Trails volunteer Willi Guttman helped organize Canoe in Color

“They do not let the lack of volunteers stop them from completing the goals of Headwaters Trails. They have contributed money, time, tools and talent, often being the only ones out there in the pouring rain installing signs or spreading gravel,” Yerman said. “Their vision is not limited to the Shiawassee River from Holly to Fenton but all the way to the Saginaw Bay.”

Indeed, the group has worked with government agencies and other public and private agencies to foster a comprehensive plan of recreational land-and-water trails linking the village of Holly and the townships of Groveland, Holly, Rose and Springfield, Seven Lakes State Park, Rose Oaks County Park and the city of Fenton.

The hope is that a maintained and signed river trail will eventually continue along the Shiawassee to Linden, Byron and through Shiawassee County en route to Saginaw County and the Saginaw Bay.

Sue Julian even has her eye on ways to foster camping and other accommodations along the river route, drawing paddlers from all over the region for extended river trips.

“It’s all part of the master plan,” said Julian, chuckling. “It’s going to take a lot of cooperation with the other communities downstream from here but we’re hopeful we can make it happen.”

Most of the interpretive signs were created by Lapeer Township illustrator Gayle Vandercook, a freelance residential designer. 

 

Elizabeth Shaw | Flint Journal 

Headwaters Trails president Sue Julian (right) 

explains signs created by Gayle Vandercook (left) and Kristen Wiltfang (center) 

“At first it was a little overwhelming. I’d never even been on the river,” Vandercook said. “Sue filled me full of notes and photos. She was great for guiding me and checking on the correctness of the science and wildlife.”

The theme of two of the signs, “Share the Resource,” illustrates all the ways the waterways are used by various recreationists, from hikers and anglers to boaters and birders.

Others illustrate the wildlife found along the river, or historical points of interest in the connected towns.

Kristen Wiltfang of Oakland County Planning and economic Development Services provided colorful graphics of the Saginaw Bay Watershed on another of the kiosks.

The signage also includes emergency posts and mile markers, and a bulletin board of events and amenities in the community.

“We want people who come here to know they’re close to all kinds of shopping and restaurants here in Holly,” said Suzanne Perreault of the Holly Downtown Development Authority. “We really can see the value of how this river and trails can attract visitors to our community.”

 

View full size         Elizabeth Shaw | Flint Journal 

The Heritage Water Trail's seven-mile take-out at Strom Park in Fenton

GPS data analysis Fenton,MI - Linden,MI kayaking trip

( click on images to see in full screen mode )

Map of actual path traveled in kayaks along Shiawassee River

Linden,Michigan USGS gauges on Shiawassee River

This gage was operated from 1968-94 then again for a short period 2001-03.
The block house structure would require a considerable amount of work to make it usableand assure that the intakes
to the river are not plugged and are responding to the changes in water levels properly.

If this gaging site was to be used again it would be more economical to establish a new shelter that houses the monitoring instrumentation.
With changes in monitoring instrumentation technology the new shelter would be much smaller than the current building.
A panel box that would hold all the instrumentation would be about 1ft x 3ft x 3ft in size.

Establishment of a gaging station is somewhat site specific and for an exact cost a site visit is needed.
The installation with all the instrumentation would run between $21,500 and $23,500.
This would include all the instrumentation, data logger, pressure transducer, and re-establishing the original datum.
Stage and discharge would be collected on a 15-minute interval transmitted by satellite and
available to the public on the "web" near real-time.
This would be a one-time cost for gage installation.

There would also be a yearly operational cost of $15,500.
This would cover developing and maintaining a stage/discharge rating, record processing,
quality assurance of data, data transmission and publication.

If the data need was something less than a continuous record station, such as peak flow only or stage only
these cost figures would change.

Please feel free to contact myself or Steve Blumer (spblumer@usgs.gov) if you would like to discuss
the re-establishment of this gage or have any additional questions.

=================================
Russel J Minnerick
U.S. Geological Survey
Grayling Field Office Chief
rjminner@usgs.gov
989-348-8291 ext 10
FAX 6866

From:	James R Nicholas/WRD/USGS/DOI
To:	spblumer@usgs.gov, rjminner@usgs.gov
Date:	07/31/2009 08:33 AM
Subject:	********_____ USGS gauges in Linden, MI on Shiawassee River___________************

Jim Nicholas, Director
USGS Michigan Water Science Center
6520 Mercantile Way, Suite 5
Lansing, Michigan 48911
517-887-8906 (w)
517-881-2436 (c)
fax 887-8937
mi.water.usgs.gov

***__ New section Shiawassee River CLEARED ___****

Shiawassee River Heritage Trail

You can now paddle from Fenton's Bush Park to US 23 near Lake Ponemah !

-----Paddlesports is exploding in popularity, it’s cheaper than powerboating.

The secton of the river is now navigable via canoe or kayak-- -approximately 3 miles.

Takeout at US 23 is easy with great access making for a great scenic paddle.

Adventurous people could probably make it all the way to Linden from Bush Park--approx. 6 miles.

Hard core paddlers could start in Holly at Waterworks Park, portage the dam in Fenton and continue into Linden - approx 13 miles.

Various teams used chainsaws to remove many large fallen trees and log jams.

A lot of debris and garbage was also picked up making the river a lot cleaner.

Even the fisherman will be happy as new habitat was created by

securing the logs via cable ties along the banks of the river.

The river is a lot healthier and will flow much easier now.

http://tiny.cc/Shiawassee

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=111387343905039436857.00046f04a2c92216c5e81&ll=42.803241,-83.698869&spn=0.01483,0.026157&z=16

Recently over 100 local paddlers showed up for a canoe/kayak event starting in Holly, Michigan.

Numerous townships and cities are CLEARING the Shiawassee River making it navigable for paddle sports.

The river is currently navigable for 7 miles from Holly to Fenton via the efforts of HeadWatersTrails Inc.

http://www.headwaterstrailsinc.org/

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Grant Announcement--River Trail to Continue Downstream

At the Linden Millpond on June 10th, the Fenton Community Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint announced a grant to continue interpretive signage downstream of Holly on the Shiawassee River. The funding will also allow for an access point to be developed in Argentine Township at McCaslin Lake Road. Follow the links below for more information about the development of the Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail.

http://www.mlive.com/fenton/index.ssf/2009/06/grant_money_has_shiawassee_riv.html

http://www.mlive.com/fenton/index.ssf/2009/07/postponed_shiawassee_river_cle.html

by Eric Fish | The Flint Journal

Monday July 06, 2009, 9:22 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friends of the Shiawassee River

http://shiawasseeriver.org/activities/rivercleanup.html

The full River Cleanup will remove debris from the Shiawassee from Bancroft to Henderson.

http://shiawasseeriver.org/

Shiawassee River Cleanup !

Saturday, August 8, 2009 9 a.m. to noon
Join the Friends of the Shiawassee River for the full cleanup of the River. We'll again be partnering with the Shiawassee County Health Department, Environmental Health Division to remove and recycle tires found in the River habitat, funded by the Great Lakes Commission. The FOSR and SCHD will again lead a summer long collection of tires to be housed (thanks to the City of Owosso) until the collection on 8/8. Reserve your stretch of the river for your group/organization or business ahead of time by following the link above. For more information, call 989.723.9062.

Can't join in on the August 8 cleanup ? Help out Chesaning Parks and Recreation Commission for their first Annual Cleanup on August 15 !

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http://shiawassee-river.blogspot.com/

Willi Gutmann

aka Willi_H2O AT Yahoo.Com

Video documenting Shiawassee River section from Holly to Fenton

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2888318540592134799

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY6tT7U1j4c

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Put-In at Bush Park in Fenton

Shiawassee River -: Put-In at Bush Park in Fenton

Maps of Bush Park in Fenton, Michigan (click on the link below)

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=111387343905039436857.00045555eecc7eece4016&ll=42.799187,-83.705285&spn=0.014831,0.026157&z=16

http://www.co.genesee.mi.us/gcmpc-plan/Files/Maps/Trails%20Maps%20Updated/Fenton.pdf

Bush Park - Fenton,MI on Saturday July 18, 2009

Jim Wright, Tim Julian and I worked on cleaning up the Shiawassee River from Bush Park in Fenton out to US-23 on Saturday, June 27, 2009. We cleaned up around 15 trees blocking the river but there are another 11 to go. One of the trees is around 2 feet in diameter and has another sitting on top of it. Some additional ones may appear as the water level drops. A new one has also fallen from Bush Park since we were down the river. We are planning another go at it on July 18, 2009. We would greatly appreciate any help in doing the work. The water is deep in spots and we found that waders were more trouble than they were worth. They kept filling up and then becoming hard to move in, when the water got shallow again. We also spent time tying logs to the banks with wire to hold them in place. This took quite a bit of time. It appears that no one has cleaned this section of the river in at least 10 years. There is a tremendous amount of trash floating in the river through there, so trash removing people are also needed.

If you are interested in helping us, we are planning on meeting at Bush Park in Fenton at 8:00, Saturday July 18, 2009. Row boats to put trash and tools in would be especially helpful. Please contact if you are interested.

--written by Chuck Julian
chuck.julian@gcs3d.com

June 7th 2009 Shiawassee River Paddle Event

Press Release
Shiawassee River Paddle Event – June 7th, 2009


Shiawassee River Paddle Event
June 7, 2009

Canoes available for rental thru Heavners Canoe Livery on site that day
Shuttle transport from 1pm - 6 pm for continuous transport of boats/ people

Start : WaterWorks Park in Holly, Michigan

End : Strom Park in Fenton, Michigan

Distance : 7 scenic miles of numerous twists and turns


Schedule :

10:00 am : On-site registration begins WaterWorks Building, Broad Street

11:30 am : Introductory Ceremony North side WaterWorks Park

11:45 am : Experienced Canoeists Start at Millpond, Broad Street

12:15 pm : Novice/Youth Canoeists Start at Millpond, Broad Street

12:45 pm : Kayak/ Single person canoeists Start on Shiawassee River, Broad Street

***1:15 pm : Leisure/fun paddle Start on Shiawassee River, Broad Street*****

6:00 pm : Final river sweep completed


Canoes available for rental thru Heavners Canoe Livery on site that day
Shuttle transport from 1pm - 6 pm for continuous transport of boats/ people

Questions ?

Call Sue Julian, 248-634-3513 or email sjulian @ provide dot net

Call Doug Lanyk 248-634-4551 or email dslanyk @ comcast dot net

Call Willi Gutmann 586-215-6387 or e-mail Willi_H2O @ Yahoo dot Com

Map Shiawassee River Paddle Event

Click on Map or Post Title for a full size picture of Shiawassee River
--the river follows along near Grand Trunk Westen Railroad tracks
--the river dips slightly south near Wilson Lake
--the river enters into Fenton Mill Pond (Genessee County) from the East
--the river exits the Fenton Mill Pond and flows North past Bush Park in Fenton


PUT-IN
-WaterWorks Park -
602 South Broad St, Holly, MI 48442-1674


TAKE-OUT
--Strom Park--
299 South East Street, Fenton , MI
near the East Street Bridge.

Link to maps of Shiawassee River between Holly and Fenton

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmpgIUEaKLKgQIeVGR0zpd7-WjOg2EHWKEJI7eRsDluvS4q5_2-uyxGUX-vaUy-u_wL_t4COa2-L_1gWK1kiSjOWEVqPIqYhuhMoUb6VUQKFcREW24iCRkMwoEuqHNuw6bNlhAA/s1600-h/shiawassee+topo.png

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNn6jaxg5dg94t1wLhdWUDzIspjMPrNjQ1p4Asrgvmnb9hnUEoAlTiyG05z_mrzt52Iq1T0gKhrXTi2d4Yp4zecFnxTng_X_WqHO3JaDd-qppsVpsIf0zPRn3GaNXu6OIQ6L3Uw/s1600-h/River+Map.jpg

Fenton Area Paddlers

It is kayaking time again.

We will have a meeting at

Legends Sports Café on Wednesday, April 8 at 7:00pm.

Legends is located on Thompson Rd and US23. Join us in the planning of our weekly evening group and weekend paddles. We usually paddle a local lake during the week and go further a field on weekends, alternating between Saturdays and Sundays. We also need volunteers to plan weekend get-aways. Additional adventures are prompted by individuals notifying other paddlers for impromptu paddles from time to time. Do not worry if you do not have a kayak. Many regular paddlers have extra kayaks that those new to the sport can borrow.

Please join http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/Fenton- area-paddlers/

to find out about upcoming paddles

You can also call Maggie Yerman

(810-735-9570) or email her yerantmag@yahoo. com for more information.

Kayak Classes in Fenton

From: Rob Taylor

Expanding Horizons Kayaking is now offering classes in three locations

- Brighton, South Lyon, and Fenton - and on various days of the week.

No excuses! Shake off those winter blues and get into a local indoor pool

to work on your kayaking skills.

Rob Taylor-----ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor

Phone: (810) 225-3652 --Mobile: (810) 355-6381

Email: taylorrj@ameritech.net

www.expandinghorizonskayaking.com

Winter/Spring2009 Class Schedule

Location	Class	Day	Time	Dates	Cost	To Register
Brighton High School 7878 Brighton Road, Brighton, MI 48116	Beginning Kayaking Session 1	Thursdays (4 weeks)	8-10 pm (classroom 7-8 1st night)	1/29, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26	$145/person $260/couple	Call Brighton Community Education, (810) 299-4130 or online at, brightoncommunityed .com
	Beginning Kayaking Session 2	Thursdays (4 weeks)	8-10pm (classroom 7-8 1st night)	3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2	$145/person $260/person
	Beginning Kayaking Session 3	Thursdays (4 weeks)	8-10 pm (classroom 7-8 1st night)	5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28	$145/person $260/couple
	Rolling	Sundays	1:30-5:30 pm	2/1, 3/15, 4/5, 5/3	$80/person	Call Rob Taylor at (810) 355-6381 or email taylorrj@ameritech. net
	"Over Easy" Open Pool Sessions	Sundays	2:30-5:00 pm	2/15, 3/22, 4/19, 5/10	$30/person
Fenton High School 3200 West Shiawassee Ave., Fenton, MI 48430	Discover Kayaking	Tuesdays	7-10 pm	2/3, 3/3, 5/5	$60/person $100/couple or parent & child	Call Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation, (810) 591-0080 or online at, www.slpr.com
	Beginning Kayaking Session 1	Tuesdays (4 weeks)	8-10 pm (classroom 7-8 1st night)	2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/17	$145/person $260/couple
	Beginning Kayaking Session 2	Tuesdays (4 weeks)	8-10 pm (classroom 7-8 1st night)	3/24, 3/31, 4/14, 4/21	$145/person $260/person
	Beginning Kayaking Session 3	Tuesdays (4 weeks)	8-10 pm (classroom 7-8 1st night)	5/12, 5/19, 5/26, 6/2	$145/person $260/couple
	Rolling	Saturdays	12:30-4:30 pm	3/21 & 5/9	$80/person
	"Over Easy" Open Pool Sessions	Saturdays	12:30-3:00 pm	4/4	$30/person
South Lyon High School 1000 North Lafayette St., South Lyon, MI 48178	Intro to Kayaking	Fridays	7-10 pm	1/30, 3/6, 5/8	$60/person $100/couple or parent/child	Call South Lyon Recreation Authority, (248) 437-8105 or online at, www.slrec.com
	Beginning Kayaking Session 1	Wednesdays	8-10 pm (classroom 7-8 1st night)	2/4, 2/11 2/18, 2/25	$145/person $260/couple
	Beginning Kayaking Session 2	Wednesdays	8-10pm (classroom 7-8 1st night)	3/11, 3/18 3/25, 4/1	$145/person $260/person
	Beginning Kayaking Session 3	Wednesdays	8-10 pm (classroom 7-8 1st night)	5/13, 5/20 5/27, 6/3	$145/person $260/couple
	Rolling	Fridays	6:30 - 10:30 pm	2/27 & 4/3	$80/person
	"Over Easy" Open Pool Sessions	Wednesdays	8-10:30 pm	1/28 & 3/4	$30/person

Class Descriptions

Intro to Kayaking or"Discover" Kayaking:Already own a kayak or thinking of buying a kayak and would like to paddle insafety with some basic skills? Then thisintroductory kayaking class is for you. This 4-hour course is oriented to beginners with minimal or no priorexperience. Topics will include safety & rescues, equipment, and basicmaneuvers. Students will learn how toexit their kayak in the event of a capsize. Several techniques for rescuing someone who has come out of their kayakwill be demonstrated. Paddling techniquefor moving a kayak in a straight line, turning a kayak, and moving a kayaksideways will be taught. Minimum of 3,maximum of 10 students per class.

Beginning Kayaking: These classes are an excellent complete beginner'scourse held in the safe and warm confines of an indoor pool. The class is a series of four weekly two hoursessions. The first session, be dressed for the pool session and at poolside onehour before the scheduled pool time for a safety/orientation session. Attendance at the first day is mandatory. This course will focus on basic kayakingstrokes that are applicable to both sea kayaking and white water kayaking. We will also work on self and assistedrescues, recovery strokes, sweep strokes and the beginning elements ofself-rescue techniques. Studentsshould bring swimming goggles, nose plugs and a towel along with swimming apparel.Participants under 16 must be approved in advance by the instructor.

Kayak Rolling Classes: This class will focus on the elements of hip snapdevelopment, high and low bracing and the Kayak Roll. Either the "C to C" or Sweep Roll will betaught depending upon student's capabilities. Strength is not important in learning to roll… it's all about boat fit,flexibility, and most importantly, proper technique. So if you are ready tolearn to roll that boat, here's your chance. The class will be scheduled for four hours, but please arrive 30-60minutes in advance to be outfitted with gear.

"Over Easy" Open Pool Sessions: Here's a chance to practice allthat you've learned in the Basic Kayaking and Rolling classes in the friendlyenvironment of the Brighton High School pool. Perfect all those different strokes, practice rescues, and work on that"bomb-proof roll" or just come hang-out with other paddlers and swap warstories. Certified instructors will beon hand to provide pointers if needed.