Log Jam at Shiatown Dam

Photo taken Aug 7, 2010 by Jasmin at Big Country Photographics as seen on the DeviantArt webpage

This woody debris has been here soooo long - green grass has begun to grow upon the log jam

Shiatown Dam badly needs maintenance as the spring ice jams put pressure on the crumbling concrete

Shiatown Dam Inspection Report 2010

Shiatown Dam Inspection report 2010

Shiatown Dam Google Earth Image April 2009

(please click on the picture with your mouse to see enlarged view)

Notice the date of the Google Earth Imagery for this satellite view :  April 1, 2009

My picture taken and posted on Panoramio in April 2010 confirms the logjam still exists.
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Shiawassee River walk on Labor Day weekend

More than 200 people attended the seventh annual event, which started on the Owosso Heritage Footbridge,
went along the scenic Shiawassee River, and ended in Corunna, Michigan


Hundreds in Mid-Michigan celebrated Labor Day by lacing up and hitting the roads | abc12.com
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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

Pics from June 7th 2009 Event

A few preliminary pictures from June 7th , 2009 running of the Shiawassee River Paddle Event

http://community.webshots.com/album/572909160sPvHKF? vhost=community


Article in the Oakland Press

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/06/06/news/doc4a2a70fa63caf576119867.txt


We had some other great photographers stationed at various points
---expect to see more great shots of paddlers in the next few days.


Sincere THANKS to all those that attended and helped make this event possible in 2009 !!

Willi Gutmann

Upcoming River Events

Upcoming River Events

Care, Share and Enjoy the Shiawassee River!

Sunday, May 3rd & Saturday, May 23rd
River Cleanup – Holly to Fenton

Bring your chainsaw and gloves! We need help removing fallen trees and trash before the canoe race.

Contact: Douglas Lanyk, dslanyk@comcast dot net


Sunday, June 7th
Canoe/Kayak Race and Fun Paddle (Holly to Fenton)

10:00am On-site registration, Water Works Building, Broad Street, Holly, MI

11:45am Canoe Race

1:15pm Leisure/fun paddle

More info online at www.headwaterstrailsinc.org

Sunday, June 14th

Fishing Contest

12:00pm WaterWorks Park in Holly

Contact: Douglas Lanyk, dslanyk@comcast dot net


Saturday, June 20th
River Cleanup Linden to Argentine

7:30am Breakfast at Argentine Township Hall

Lunch provided after cleanup

Contact: Teresa at 810-735-5050 or Maggie at 810-735-9570

Map between Holly and Fenton

A fairly detailed map of the river between Holly and Fenton

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf554cM800x9teSCzupunKr1ncgsj2YpDnV4wOmGNaa9sWNAEuMgK5JXxeM-MqcVJdBovNIIstPkOd2T1SiruFIVoXA0cYpqZ30Oo-5wlXBEbR9vMH13V_tLHXpiGbphk5XPRgA/s1600-h/Shiawassee+River+Map+-Holly+to+Fenton.jpg


http://shiawassee-river.blogspot.com/2007/10/map-for-shiawassee-river.html#links

Map of Shiawassee River Paddle Event

Maps of the Shiawassee River area near Holly Michigan

http://www.oakgov.com/peds/assets/docs/es_docs/rg_shiawassee_map.pdf


http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=111387343905039436857.00043cdbc211bc40f011d&z=14

http://www.headwaterstrailsinc.org/trail_map.htm


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WaterWorks_Park_Launch.JPG

Video & Pictures Shiawassee River in Holly Michigan

Autumn paddle on the Shiawassee River Oct 22, 2007
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2888318540592134799

Pictures -various Shiawassee River events and paddles
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/567721407KouRMx
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/558922603hqUlLA
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/558834458DganqU
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/547204034BrRPch

Short little video snippets from the Shiawassee River from Holly to Fenton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY6tT7U1j4c&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlPgM3mM2RY&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwuttZOYnbI&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUiQOvt4E3o&feature=channel_page

Expanding the Paddling on Shiawassee River

The information was provided by Sara McDonnell,
Project Coordinator for the Center for Applied Environmental Research
at the University of Michigan - Flint.


"We want to promote the Shiawassee River as a water trail and
encourage people to kayak and canoe close to home," McDonnell said.

The first phase of the project undertaken by Headwaters Trails,
which runs by the Shiawassee River from Holly to Fenton, is already underway.
Their successes include installation of a canoe/kayak launch site,
development of a signage program, annual Holly to Fenton canoe races
and regular river cleanups and paddle trips.
Headwaters Trails is led by Sue Julian and Doug Lanyk.


"The Holly to Fenton section is being managed by Headwaters Trails.

They've already identified launches, emergency takeouts, and where signs need to be installed.

That's the first phase of the Shiawassee River trail," McDonnell said.

"There's funding secured for the signs from Holly to Fenton."


McDonnell also said because of the progress made in the first phase,

Southern Lakes Planning Initiative has taken on the next stretch of the river, from Fenton to Argentine.


"We'll be pursuing funding for signs from Fenton to Argentine this winter," she said.


McDonnell said a group, made up of representatives from Headwaters Trails,

Fenton Area Paddlers, Southern Lakes Parks and Recreation, the cities of Linden and Fenton,

Argentine Township, interested residents, teachers, individuals from the University of Michigan-Flint,

and those interested in the outdoors, met last April.


"(They) discussed the potential of extending the Shiawassee River Heritage Trial in Oakland County,

west through Genesee County by creating signage, recreation-based business, and continued river cleanups," she said.

Mayor David Lossing said people on the trail could stop at the launches and visit the different areas, grabbing a bite to eat on the way.

He said the city would do anything they could to help out this effort which would have a positive impact on the economy.

Councilor Ray Culbert said he thinks it's an excellent idea.

"(It would) really spur the growth of the economy," he said.

"It's such a wonderful asset, creating a regional trail," said Christopher Wren, city manager. "It's a phenomonal idea."

For more information regarding the river trail, visit www.oursouthernlakes.com.

Chesaning Dam

News
$900K grant paves way for Chesaning dam removal

By MICHAEL PETERSON,
Argus-Press Staff Writer


CHESANING - The Chesaning dam is on its way out after a $900,000 grant through the Clean Michigan Initiative will help push funding for the Shiawassee River Restoration and removal of the dam.

State Senator Roger Kahn, R-District 32, has been very involved in the project and was instrumental in the push for the grant, said Bob Grnak, Kahn's media coordinator.“We think its the most wonderful thing ever,” Village Manager Marlene Schultz said. “It's not like a loan we have to pay back. We really feel fortunate and if it wasn't for Sen. Kahn we wouldn't have had this.

Total cost of the restoration - including planning, engineering and construction - is about $1.7 million. In addition to the grant, funding also will come from private citizens, businesses, the township and village.The dam has declined to the point where maintenance and repair is not a practical option.Tom Meder, coordinator for the Shiawassee River Restoration Committee, said they have been working on this project for seven years.

“The dam was deteriorating and something had to be done,” Meder said. “It has been repaired over the course of the last 30 years, but it is beyond repair now. We are going to remove it.”Engineers have developed a solution that restores fish passage, creates new river habitat, interconnects fragmented aquatic habitat and preserves the impoundment needed for the Showboat Festival, while eliminating the long-term liabilities associated with a failing dam.
Meder also believes the restoration will help to boost tourism.

“It will become a really prolific fishery now and people will be coming to use it,” Meder said. “Our campgrounds will literally be more useable because we will have fish right up near the campgrounds.”Meder explained the Shiawassee River goes right through the Chesaning campgrounds and with the dam fish cannot swim near the camping areas.

The dam was built in 1863 to create power for the grist mill and was a key element to Chesaning's success as a lumber hub in the mid-1800s.However, the dam is most notably used today for the annual Chesaning Showboat Festival, which is a major aspect of the cultural identity in the village.Meder is hopeful the project starts in the fall.

Maps along Shiawassee River

WaterWorksPark in Holly, Michigan Map (click on yellow pin icon)


View Larger Map

3 Tubes RailRoad Bridge on Shiawassee River Map (click on yellow pin icon)


View Larger Map

Fish Lake Road take-out on Shiawassee River Map (click on yellow pin icon)


View Larger Map

Wilson Lake off the Shiawassee River Map (click on yellow pin icon)


View Larger Map

Fenton Mill Pond on the Shiawassee River Map (click on yellow pin icon)


View Larger Map

Strom Park in Fenton, Michigan Map (click on yellow pin icon)


View Larger Map

Map - Holly to Corunna

CLICK on photo to enlarge and zoom in

A tremendous amount of data available at :
http://gwmap.rsgis.msu.edu/viewer.htm

Paddling over a Dam - Just Plain Stupid

Michigan has about 2,500 dams, nearly 1,500 of them under six feet in height, according to the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Learn , study, take classes, paddle with friends, groups, etc.
Water is mischievous/ deceiving in the amount of power even light current has.

It' s a great article for discussion

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/09/kayakers_death_in_shiawassee_r.html

And yeah, I did flip my boat in 32 degree water with a wetsuit on later that day below Delhi.
Fellow paddlers helped me out, no questions asked, no inquisition, just camaraderie.

We evolve and learn by taking risks while attempting to control as many external factors as possible.

Challenge people if they have safety equipment and why they aren't using it.
What's the worst that could happen...you get verbally abused for a second, so what.
I'm no paddling genius with an awesome roll and superman S on my chest, but I do care a little.

People also learn thru large paddle events -they see other boats, gear, equipment.
One thing that makes it tough is all the paddling/ rowing clubs are like islands.
Unless you visit (via e-mail) each club and invite them, it's tough to get a decent turnout.
Many don't even have webpages, they are just private lists of people who go out and paddle.
There is no one stop clearing house of paddling info in Michigan.
Canoe, kayak, sculling, whitewater, flatwater, surf, touring, racing, --thats a lot of territory !.

People are constantly buying boats and are in need of instruction, exposure to other boats,
safety protocols, in a nut shell " they don't know what they they don't know" .
How can you ask questions when your un-aware equipment like float bags exist for rec boats ?
If the guy at the shops like Dunhams/Dicks/ Cabellas etc. never told them the paddle can be offset for wind...
it all relates to a inherent problem with paddle sports in the Michigan-the land of water,water everywhere.

*When someone drowns falling off a powerboat because no vest is worn
-we the taxpayers pay for the body retrieval time, resources, etc.
No boatowner ever came up on murder one charges for negligent homicide,
had his boat impounded for the season, etc. etc.

We also pay monetarily when kayakers/canoeists do some foolish stuff.
Curious to hear comments, feedback, etc. either on the boards or via personal mail

Map of Shiawassee River in Argentine

Click on map to enlarge

Update - Shiawassee River Conditions

A review by Doug Lanyk from HeadWatersTrails August 14th, 2008

My how things change.
Jimmy and I Took a trip yesterday evening from
Holly's Waterworks Park to Bush Park in Fenton.
My expectations were slightly low water and an easy paddle.
So much for my powers of precognition.
The water level at waterworks park was about 3 inches higher
than I would have thought. The recent rainfall that missed
my house must have hit somewhere else in the headwaters region.

It was a good start to the journey. The river was quiet
and the wildlife was repeatedly surprised by us quietly
gliding down the river. Numerous deer, fish, turtles,
and heron were motivated to seek further cover upon
being observed at close quarters.
There is a tree partially blocking the river just after
the 3 tubes. You can still paddle around on the the shallow side.
It's small and will be easily removed, but beware if you try it,
it's covered in poison ivy. The quiet paddle was just about
perfect until another downed tree just before Fish Lake Rd.
Last week Jimmy had to portage the tree. Last night we had enough
water to bump over it. Once again it was smooth sailing.

The next item of note was the water level in Haddon pond.
It was noticeably lower. The beaver created marsh following the
pond had lot's of fresh bank showing and a bit of challenging
paddling to go around trees we are accustomed to going over.
The reason for the low water level was soon apparent.
The big beaver dam is gone! I don't know if it had help
but the center of the old dam is now completely washed out.
No drop whatsoever. This has aesthetic ramifications.
The old dump that comes up to the river at that point
is now showing a whole lot of garbage.

Some new work near Scarbury's Ford was noticed too.
The ford itself had low water and we had to bump our way across.
The last beaver dam before the Fenton Millpond has been beefed up.
It's now bigger and badder than ever before.
It's about a one foot drop that we skated over.
The millpond itself was a pungent mess. It is severely grown over.
It was a bit of work to get the boats across.
After dumping our first load of picked up garbage off at
Strom park we were rewarded for our work by finding a
blue grass band playing at the bandstand in Downtown Dibbleville.

As we portaged the dam, lot's of curious people questioned us
about paddling on the river. It was a good opportunity for
educating more people about our efforts. Below the dam
we launched Jimmy in his canoe just before I did a seal launch
off of the rocks. It was fun when the the crowd listening to the
band brokeout in applause and cheers in the middle of a song.

From the Dam to Bush Park was a bigger challenge than the millpond.
The water had disapeared. It was very shallow for most of the rest
of the trip. Where we did the cleanup a couple of weeks ago it was
hard to tell we had been there.
The trees that were totally submerged when we cut those above are
now completely above the water. More garbage has been exposed too.
By this time it was getting dark and we were glad that my truck was
right there. A longer trip would have been less than fun.

Get outside.
Doug.

Shiawassee River Trail connects to Lake Ponemah

***__Click on image for a full size view___***

--Look carefully to follow the Shiawassee River (blue line)as it connects to Lake Ponemah on thru Bush Park in downtown Fenton, along the old mill pond to Wilson Lake (follow Grand Trunk Western Railroad tracks) over near Holly and from the WaterWorks Park on Broad Street in Holly.

Webcam VIDEO & Photos - Shiawassee River Paddle Event 2008

Video of the racers on the Shiawassee River Water Heritage Trail

http://home.comcast.net/~hollywastewater/CANOEvideo.htm

Keep in mind these pictures were taken from several hundreds of yards away - very windy conditions made it difficult to shoot clear pictures.
-- Right click to save pictures.

Webcam photos & video taken alongside the river - THANKS guys !!!!

http://home.comcast.net/~hollywastewater/CANNOE%20RACE.htm

Maps WaterWorks Park & Strom Park

Map for Shiawassee River,
Map for Water Works Park in Holly
Map for Strom Park in Fenton

http://shiawassee-river.blogspot.com/2007/10/map-for-shiawassee-river.html#links