Silver Lake Road bridge 2016 Fenton

Silver Lake Road bridge replacement slated for 2016 - Tri-County Times Newspaper: Local News for Fenton, Linden and Holly MI - Tri County Times

Upcoming Summer Paddles 2015

July 16, through August 17 

Thursday evenings Fenton Music in the Park & Farmers Market Thursday 7 – 8:30 Enjoy the market and music. Meet other paddlers and launch on your own from Strom Park. You can paddle into the mill pond by the gazebo or go up river for a longer ride. Someone from Keepers will be there at 6:30 to launch with you. 

 July 20, Monday 

Shiawassee River Paddle Cole Rd to Duffield & possibly beyond to Byron Mill Pond. Meet in parking lot at the corner of Seymour & Silver Lake Rd. at 11:00. We will drive to Cole Rd to unload boats then spot cars at McCaslin Lake Rd launch, Bird Rd and Duffield Rd. Cole Rd is where we got out last month and the is the section that the crew cleared on Sunday, July 12. 

 July 29, Wednesday 

– Linden Music by the Mill Backbeats - Beatles Tribute Band 7 - 8:30 Listen on the water! You can paddle from Fenton’s Bush Park, Lake Ponemah’s boat launch or launch directly on Linden’s Mill Pond. 

July 30, Thursday- Keepers moonlight paddle, Linden Mill Pond. Pack your dinner and we will dine by the gazebo or pick up a sandwich from Bridge 117, Subway, Linden Coney or… Meet @ 6:30 for dinner.

 August 5 – 26, 

Wednesday evenings -

 Linden Music by the Mill and Farmers Market Free concert by the Mill 7:00 – 8:30 Enjoy the farmers market, grab something to eat and launch at your convenience__._,_.___

 Posted by: Maggie Yerman

2015 Revised paddling schedule

June 4, Thursday - Keepers moonlight paddle, Linden Mill Pond Dinner at Bridge 117 @ 6:30 pm Paddles wet 7:30.

June 6, Saturday - Keepers Linden’s river cleanup meet 8:00 am Linden Mill Pond. We’ll have two groups, one going up river to Tupper Lake other down river to Hogan Rd. This includes litter cleanup along the banks and Mill Pond.

June 7, Sunday - Headwaters Trails River Cleanup We’ll go from Holly Water Works Park to Strom Park in Fenton to prepare for the Adventure Paddle the following Sunday. Meet at 9:00 in Water Works Park. 

June 14, Sunday - Headwaters Trails "Adventure Paddle" registration begins at 11 am.  Pleasure Paddle starting on river at noon, sweep boat launches at 1:00 pm.

June 18, Thursday - Fenton Music in the Park & Farmers Market Keepers will launch from Strom Park in Fenton and then paddle into the mill pond by the gazebo to listen to the free Concert from 7 - 8:30 pm.  Paddles wet at 6:30 pm.

June 22, Monday -Shiawassee River Paddle from downtown Linden to McCaslin Lake Road. Meet at 11:00 am in the parking lot beside the river and behind the businesses on Bridge St. We will shuttle cars and be on the river by noon.

June 27, Saturday - City of Fenton river cleanup meet 8 am in Bush Park behind St. John’s church off Adelaide.

June 28, Sunday - River Fest in Fenton Bush Park from 12 - 6 pm, music, food, ducky races, cardboard boat race and more!

July 2, Thursday - Keepers moonlight paddle, Fenton Strom Park 301 East St. We’ll paddle up-river to the beaver dam then back to Fenton for dinner at Fenton Fire Hall (This is the first time to  try this event from this location, change possible depending on weeds in mill pond.)

July 12, Sunday -There will be a river cleanup on this day but depending upon the success of the previous cleanups, it has not yet been decided which stretch of the river will be worked on.

July 16, Thursday- Fenton Music in the Park & Farmers Market Thursday Enjoy the market and music. Keepers will launch from Strom Park at 6:30 and then paddle into the mill pond by the gazebo to listen to the concert from 7 - 8:30 

July 20, Monday – Shiawassee River Paddle from Byron to Geeck Rd County Park, Durand. We’ll stop mid-point at Walnut Hills for snacks & break. Meet at the Byron HS ball field at 11:00 to shuttle cars’ paddles wet at noon. Boat rentals are available from Cheff's Canoe rental 989-288-7067.

July 29, Wednesday – Linden Music by the Mill (actually on the water) Backbeats - Beatles Tribute Band 7:00 to 8:30 Listen on the water! You can paddle from Fenton’s Bush Park, Lake Ponemah’s boat launch or launch directly on Linden’s Mill Pond.

July 30, Thursday- Keepers moonlight paddle, Linden Mill Pond. Dine together first at 6:30, paddles wet at 7:30. Restaurant TBA.

August 5, Wednesday - Linden Music by the Mill and Farmers Market Free concert by the Mill 7:00 – 8:30 Enjoy the farmers market, grab something to eat and launch at your convince.

August 19,  Wednesday  - Linden Music by the Mill and Farmers Market  Free concert by the Mill 7:00 – 8:30 Enjoy the farmers market, grab something to eat and launch at your convince..

August 17,  Monday - Shiawassee River Paddle from Shiatown Park in Vernon to Lytle Rd Park in Corunna. We can continue to McCurdy Park in Corunna or portage the dam to Harmon Partridge Park in Owosso. 

August 27,  Thursday -  Keepers moonlight paddle, Argentine.  Meet at Lobdell Lake Boat Launch off Argentine Rd.  Paddle to Planks on the Lake Restaurant then back to the launch in the moonlight.  Paddles wet at 6:30.

September 24, Thursday- Keepers moonlight paddle. Holly. Meet at Holly’s mill pond across from Waterworks Park on Broad St. We’ll paddle up river then have dinner in Holly after the paddle.  Paddles wet at 6:30 pm.

October 3, Saturday - Headwaters Trails "Canoeing in Color” Paddle from Holly Water Works Park to Fenton Strom Park. Registration opens 11:00 in Water Works Park with boats launching at noon. Boats rental through Heavners Canoe Rental 248-685-2379.  Call in advance to reserve a canoe or kayak.

Road work in Fenton

http://whmi.com/news/article/22574

Funding Shiatown Dam removal

Good news, more funding, more action

Fish Lake Road canoe launch

Holly Township, working with Headwaters Trails Inc., submitted a grant application for $45,000 to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for a Fish Lake Road Launch and Parking construction project. 

HeadWatersTrails Inc out of Holly,MI needs to get the MDEQ and Road Commission permits approved and raise the final $15,000 match money needed for the project.  Any donations you can give toward making that match will be greatly appreciated, - not only by Headwaters Trails and the people who currently use the river, - but by future generations who will use this site and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the Shiawassee River.

As many of you know, Headwaters Trails has been working on keeping the Shiawassee River open for paddling by doing things like building a launch at Water Works Park and a bridge there to get to the launch from the parking area.  That is the start of the Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail in Holly. 

At Fish Lake Road, down stream from Water Works Park, Headwaters Trails has purchased land to build a canoe launch which can function as a take out for people who only want a short trip on the river.

The site needs to have excavation, then fill, gravel, geotextile fabric and railings added to make a place for vehicles to stop and park safely.  From that parking area, a handicap accessible ramp needs to be built.  Headwaters Trails hired an engineering firm to draw up plans to build a launch that will be acceptable to both the MDEQ and Oakland County Road Commission.  This
grant application is to fund this project.

Headwaters Trails Inc. is a 501c3 Federal non-profit corporation.  Money donated is tax deductible.

Chuck Julian
Headwaters Trails Inc.
P.O. Box 33
Holly, MI 48442-0033

Historical census info

 In 1895 the U.S. Atlas
provided this Census Data for ‪#‎Shiawassee‬ County,
by city/town:

Owosso (6,564),
Corunna (1,382),
Laingsburg (654),
Bancroft (642),
Vernon (585),
Perry (440),
Morrice (420),
Byron (413),
Durand (255),
New Lothrop (195). 

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Shiawassee River Fest

Support river communities

A river and Pi

Gain some understanding of the Shiawassee River and why it does what it does....

http://www.theguardian.com/science/alexs-adventures-in-numberland/2015/mar/14/pi-day-2015-pi-rivers-truth-grime

New Maps coming soon

Many folks are hard at work updating new river maps for recreation near and upon The Shiawassee River.

Look for them at upcoming events like Fenton Expo, Quiet Water Symposium in Lansing, and other venues.

With a little prior planning, a canoe/kayak trip of 20 miles in one day is quite possible. Explore new areas, see more wildlife, and experience a different section of the river. Some parts are skinny, some wide, others flow slow, while certain sections are quick. Something for everyone.

Get some some friends together, stage some vehicles downriver , then everyone shuttles back to the launch site. Take lots of pics throughout the day, share with people , let them know about your adventure on the Shiawassee.

Fenton sewer mishap

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2014/12/fenton_construction_mishap_cau.html

Thumb History Michigan

Various links to interesting history, origin of names, languages, etc

The Logging of the Cass River in the Thumb of Michigan 

 The Fur Trade of the Thumb of Michigan

Chief Otusson of the Thumb of Michigan 

Podunk the Land both Elevated and Sunk

The Rivers of the Saginaw Valley -- 1839

The Meaning of the Thumb of Michigan Place Names 

The Meaning of Michigan County Names 

The Meaning of U. S. State Names

Stories of Early Caro, Michigan

http://ipoetry.us/
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Linden Environmental Issue

Underground gasoline leak confirmed in Linden

Posted: Friday, November 21, 2014 2:56 pm

Tri County Times

Linden — After reports came into the Times that an underground gas leak, 

reportedly from a gas station in downtown Linden, had contaminated ground 

in the small city, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Analyst 

Marjorie Frisch confirmed that Beacon and Bridge gas station is responsible.

Beacon and Bridge is located at 110 East Broad St.,

and owned by Quick SaV Food Stores LTD, out of Flint.

This underground gas leak has been under investigation since June of this year, 

and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs,

Bureau of Fire Services (LARA) was notified upon confirmation.

According to an email from Frisch, “The gas station’s responsibilities are defined

 in Part 213 of Act  451. They will need to submit an IAR (Initial Assessment Report)

 in 180 days from the confirmed release date (Nov. 14, 2014).” 

In Part 213, the liable owner or operator needs to define the extent of

contamination in soil and groundwater and provide corrective actions 

to deal with all contamination issues. 

The DEQ will work with the gas station during these 180 days.

After testing the sump pump in the business located at 

109 North Bridge St., Bridge Street Exchange, 

the DEQ enlisted the assistance of Environmental Consulting & Technology (ECT),

which, according to ECT Senior Design Engineer Joel Parker, 

put in a vapor mitigation system at the affected business.

The gas components that were found at 109 North Bridge 

were tracked back to the gas station’s underground storage tanks. 

The DEQ remedied this situation with the implementation of the mitigation system.

Kevin Begola, owner of Bridge Street Exchange said the past 4 months 

have been a very stressful time as a property owner due to the situation at hand.

“I am relieved that this issue is finally coming to light. 

“After purchasing my building, we started noticing some smells 

that were alarming so we worked with these agencies to further inspect

the situation and what they uncovered was very shocking."

In November 2012, the Times reported that petroleum related ground contamination

 was found in the ground where the Union Block once stood, 

prompting Linden City to change its mind on purchasing the parcel. 

According to an article from December 2012, the termination stemmed from

the second environmental study conducted by Atwell Hicks who 

“identified the presence of petroleum related contaminants in soil and groundwater 

on the southwestern portion of the property at concentrations above the DEQ criteria.”

About 50 residents and business owners got together on Friday morning 

at the City Council Chambers for an informational meeting with 

representatives of the DEQ, its environmental testing firm, 

the health department, and other personnel to discuss the results of the 

air and ground water testing that was done over the summer, 

and to find out what will be done next.

Parker told the audience that the flow of the ground water 

helped determine why the contamination ended up at Begola’s business.

Linden City Manager Paul Zelenak said,

 “We were informed Thursday morning by the DEQ that the

Beacon and Bridge gas station was the likely source of the leak.” 

He said that they have been working with the DEQ and ECT over a year ago 

on the matter of ground contamination. The DEQ’s first tests were inconclusive, 

but after businesses began smelling fumes earlier this year, 

they had them come back for more testing.

“If we want to move forward as a city 

we need to have this problem taken care of,” Zelenak said.

“We’re just pleased that we are moving forward with this with the help of the DEQ. 

They will come up with ways to fix the problem.”

Residents may call Frisch at (517) 284­ -5101 with questions or concerns.

 Linden City will post updates on its website www.lindenmi.us, 

and at city hall and the library.

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Next steps Shiatown Dam Removal

Shiatown Dam Removal
Project Next Steps
By Graham Sturgeon, staff writer
http://www.owossoindependent.com

PLANNING – Stakeholder panel met Wednesday, Sept. 24, to
discuss planning for the ongoing removal of the Shiatown Dam on the
Shiawassee River just upstream of the Bennington Road bridge.
They included the Shiawassee Township Supervisor (STS), members
of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and
members of the Friends of the Shiawassee River (FOSR).
Phil Hathaway (FOSR),
Kevin Smith (FOSR),
Chris Freiberger (MDNR),
Joe Leonardi (MDNR),
Anthony Karhoff (STS)
Gary Burk (FOSR)
Tom Cook (FOSR)

An update on the continuing removal of the Shiatown
Dam, on the Shiawassee River just upstream of
the Bennington Road bridge, was Wednesday night
by the Friends of the Shiawassee River (FOSR) at the
Shiawassee Township Hall in Bancroft. Members of the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)
and Shiawassee Township officials heard engineering
consultant Scott Dierks’ three-phased plan to gradually
remove what has been termed the dangerous and outdated
dam from the Shiawassee River, and to restore the
river’s flow and functionality.

The process began two years ago with the impoundment
drawdown and this group is planning the next two phases
of the plan, set throughout 2015. Partial dam removal began
in the fall of 2012 after a 12-year-old girl drowned
at the dam in May of that year. The next phase of the
removal calls for the elimination of the piers, retaining
walls and the powerhouse, along with filling in of the approximately
12-foot-deep scour hole just downstream of
the dam, using the concrete rubble created by demolition
of the structure.

Phase III will include channel restoration, stabilization
and habitat improvements. The group hopes to create a
safe atmosphere that can be enjoyed by the community,
and to create a viable aquatic habitat for the river’s wildlife
and vegetation.

The FOSR has sought and received a number of grants;
organizing those plans will aid the group in obtaining future
grants. They have already received a $162,700 grant
from the MDNR, and a $62,500 grant from the Saginaw
Bay Watershed Initiative Network (SBWIN). Both of
these grants were earmarked for Phase II of the project,
and the group has applied for several other grants that will
aid in the restoration of the river, including a $30,000 Fish
and Wildlife grant. The group plans to create bid documents
by the start of the year, with construction beginning
by mid-summer.

The plan for now appears to involve a gradual removal
of the existing structure, as the group wants to retain the
sediments that have accumulated on the upstream side
of the dam to maintain the river’s shape and integrity.
Removing the dam all at once would have the effect of
widening and deepening the river due to the immediate
loss of most of the collected sediment. For this reason,
the dam’s skirting will initially be left in its place to promote
a gradual dispersal of the sediment in question. The
gradual removal option should have the effect of lowering
the floodplain, therefore reducing the risk of flooding for
those in the river’s contiguous vicinity.

After the panel concluded their demonstration they then
opened the floor to the audience for questioning. Some
of the better questions asked were concerning the matter
of flood insurance and the issue of the dreaded sea lampreys.
A local resident asked if those living in the floodplain
would see a decrease in their flood insurance if the
floodplain were lowered, to which FOSR member Gary
Burk replied that he was not sure.
“If anything it will reduce flood risks downstream
because there will not be the threat of dam failures,”
Burk said. “We have already taken flood risks out of the
equation upstream by controlling the flow of water into
the dam.”

On the issue of sea lamprey, MDNR representative Joe
Leonardi dispelled the fear of an infestation should the
dam be removed. “As it is currently, the dam is not a barrier
that is keeping the sea lamprey out. But there is not
as large of a population as people would think.” He also
noted that the state plans to use TFM, or 3-triflouromenthyl-
4-nitrophenol, to treat the entire river to eliminate
the dangerous aquatic predator.

For more information, persons may check the Friends of
the Shiawassee River website, www.shiawasseeriver.org

The Shiawassee River

Where IS the Shiawassee you ask ?

Many people start at the headwaters near HOLLY,MI
in Oakland County and it flows up to SAGINAW,MI

ECO-Tourism Facts and Figures

Yearly ECO-Tourism matters immensly to River communities

Genesee County Parks puts the value at $19 MILLION for 2013

New Footbridge in Chesaning

Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 10:25 am

The Argus-Press 

CHESANING — The village of Chesaning is planning a ribbon cutting ceremony

 Aug. 13 for a new footbridge that has been constructed over the Shiawassee River.

 The ceremony is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. near the bridge behind the 

chamber of commerce, according to Chris Mishler, a  volunteer who helped with the project.

 Following a program, those in attendance will cross 

the bridge and refreshments will be served in Cole Park.

http://goo.gl/maps/jYwTO

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Easements enhance Conservation efforts

A Message from NOHLC Executive Director Sue Julian

The House of Representatives in Washington voted 277 to 130 for H.R. 4719,
 The “America Gives More Act of 2014,” a charity package
 that includes the Conservation Easement Incentive Act. 

Among many good causes, this bill makes permanent the
federal tax deduction for conservation easement donations. 

This allows NOHLC to work with our neighbors to conserve 
their land and protect valuable natural and
historic resources in northern Oakland county.
 
This important tax incentive enables families to choose conservation
thereby improving the quality of our air and water,
promoting locally grown food, protecting wildlife habitat, 
and supporting rural livelihoods.  
NOHLC appreciates the bi-partisan support for private land conservation
shown by the votes of Representatives Rogers, Bentivolio and Peters.  
 
More importantly, making the enhanced incentive permanent 
is about ensuring a legacy.  Land tells the story of our nation,
providing both a window to the past and a key to a healthy
and secure future.  It ensures that open spaces will be there 
for future generations to farm, graze or simply enjoy. 
Our grandchildren’s children will thank us for making
this vital incentive for conservation permanent.
 
Now it is up to the Senate to vote for it. 
This House passage represents a unique opportunity for 
Congress to make a final push to get this legislation
over the finish line and make the incentive permanent once and for all. 
Our organization protects the landscapes that make this
community a wonderful place to live, and we need to
have this important incentive in our conservation toolkit.

NOHLC
http://www.nohlc.org/


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Awards for Shiawassee River Trail

- The Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail - 
is featured in the ""The Review"" an official magazine
 of the Michigan Municipal League. 
-The magazine acts as a medium for the exchange 
of ideas and information among the officials of 
Michigan cities and villages.
- It has been published continuously, ten times-a-year,
since 1928. It is mailed to over 10,000 elected and 
key appointed officials in Michigan cities and villages 
and pass-along readership is over 40,000

http://www.mml.org/thereview/review-julyaug-2014/