Cut River (Roscommon County, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cut River |
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The Cut River in Gerrish Township
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 Location within the state of Michigan
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Higgins Lake Gerrish Township, Michigan 1,155 ft (352 m) 44°26′05″N 84°40′19″W / 44.43472°N 84.67194°W |
| River mouth | Houghton Lake Markey Township, Michigan 1,138 ft (347 m) 44°21′35″N 84°41′09″W / 44.35972°N 84.68583°W |
| Length | 10 mi (16 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Waterbodies | Marl Lake |
The Cut River is a small but important stream in Roscommon County, Michigan. It flows about 10 miles (16 km) from Higgins Lake to Houghton Lake. The river also passes through Marl Lake, which is part of South Higgins Lake State Park. Locals sometimes call it "the Cut."
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Fun Things to Do on the Cut River
The Cut River is a great place for outdoor activities. It's known for its calm waters and beautiful natural views. This makes it perfect for smaller boats like canoes and kayaks.
Fishing and Boating
Many people enjoy fishing in the Cut River. You can find fish like smallmouth bass, yellow perch, trout, and northern pike here. The river is also a popular spot for walleye to lay their eggs.
There is one public spot where you can get into the river, located at Marl Lake. The river has only three bridges crossing over it. These are on East Higgins Lake Drive, West Lansing Road, and East Houghton Lake Drive.
River History
Long ago, in the late 1800s, the Cut River was used to move lumber. Logs from the Higgins Lake area were floated down to Houghton Lake. Parts of the river were even dug deeper to help with this. Today, you won't see any signs of this old lumber transport.
How the Cut River Helps Lakes
The Cut River plays a big role in controlling the water levels of Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake. This is very important for the environment and for people living near the lakes.
The Small Dam
Near Higgins Lake, there is a small dam on the Cut River. This dam helps to manage how much water flows out of Higgins Lake. It also affects the water level in Houghton Lake. You can find this dam under the bridge on East Higgins Lake Drive.
Because of this dam, fish from Houghton Lake cannot swim upstream to Higgins Lake. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources watches the river's water levels closely. This helps protect the fish populations, especially the walleye that come to spawn.
Water Levels and Fish Life
Sometimes, the water level in Higgins Lake changes. This can cause the Cut River to have very low water levels. When the water is too low, it can be hard for the fish to survive.
The river's water flow also affects other areas. It connects to the Muskegon River, which eventually flows into Lake Michigan. So, changes in the Cut River can have effects far beyond its banks.
