Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail - Holly Canoeing, Kayaking - Pure Michigan Travel

Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail
You can launch your canoe or kayak anytime from WaterWorks Park at 690 S. Broad Street in Holly and paddle to Strom Park on East Street in Fenton, seven river miles. This segment of the Shiawassee River is an adventure that takes about two and a half to three hours. The River here is shallow and slow moving but it has many twists and turns, an occasional beaver dam and changing scenery which add challenge and adventure to the paddling trip. The volunteer organization Headwaters Trails has added mile markers, interpretive signage, launch sites and trailhead parking. Restaurants and shopping beckon in the historic communities at each end of the river trail. Future development of this Heritage Water Trail will enable extended trips to the west through Fenton, Linden and Byron in Genesee County and then northward past Walnut Hills Campground and on to Owosso and Chesaning along the way to Saginaw Bay, a total distance of 110 miles. At present there is no livery serving this Pure Michigan adventure. Paddlers are requested to observe the "Leave No Trace" ethic, to share the resource with other river users and to take nothing but Good Memories.
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Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail - Holly Canoeing, Kayaking - Pure Michigan Travel
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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

2009 Shiawassee River -- Heritage Water Trail

The Shiawassee River Trail and Headwaters Trails, Inc

Headwaters Trails, Inc. is based in Oakland County, Michigan, and dedicated to the development of a trail network and accompanying recreational activities in the northwest headwaters region. Over the last three years, Sue Julian and Doug Lanyk have been leading a paddling effort to create a designated water trail in Oakland County, with assistance from the OakRivers Initiative . They have focused on the stretch of the Shiawassee River from the Village of Holly to the City of Fenton. Their successes include:

* Installation of canoe/kayak launch site at Holly Waterworks Park with funding from REI
* Development of a signage program, with funding from the Saginaw Watershed Initiative Network
* Holly to Fenton canoe races - this year 2009 is June 7th
* Regular river cleanups and paddle trips

Shiawassee River Signage
With grant support, Headwaters Trails, Inc has developed a signage program for the Shiawassee River. Current funding will support installation from Holly to Fenton; all communities along the Shiawassee are welcome to use the same signage designs. It is hoped that signage will be developed and installed along the Shiawassee River all the way to Saginaw Bay. Several types of signage have been proposed for the Shiawassee River:

Wayside Interpretive Exhibits – large signs and kiosks that help visitors learn about the Shiawassee River and natural history. Five of these are planned for Oakland County at various landing spots.
Safety Signs – single sided metal signs that alert paddlers of upcoming obstacles. Ten of these will be installed from Holly to Fenton
Mile Posts – mile markers will be placed between Holly and Fenton marking the 7 mile trip.
Emergency Access Posts – negotiated with landowners and the North Oakland Fire Authority, these posts are for emergency landings and ambulance services if needed.

http://www.oursouthernlakes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=72

Written by
Sara McDonnell
University of Michigan
Center for Applied Environmental Research
432 N. Saginaw St., Ste 1001
Flint, MI 48502-1950
810-767-7272 phone
810-767-7183 fax
smcdonne@umflint.edu