Flat River (Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flat River |
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Flat River upstream from Whites Bridge, Fall 2006
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| Counties | Montcalm, Kent, Ionia |
| Cities | Belvidere Township, Lowell, Greenville, Belding |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | First Lake, Montcalm County 915 ft (279 m) 43°26′23″N 85°6′7″W / 43.43972°N 85.10194°W |
| River mouth | Grand River 617 ft (188 m) 42°55′40″N 85°20′19″W / 42.92778°N 85.33861°W |
| Length | 70 mi (110 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 560 sq mi (1,500 km2) |
The Flat River is an important river in the western part of Michigan, United States. It's a smaller river that flows into a bigger one called the Grand River. The Flat River starts from a chain of lakes and travels through a few different counties and towns before joining the Grand River. It's about 70 miles (113 km) long!
Contents
Where the Flat River Starts and Goes
The Flat River begins its journey in Montcalm County, Michigan. It flows out of a lake called First Lake. This lake is the last in a group of connected lakes known as Six Lakes. These lakes are located in Belvidere Township, west of Edmore.
The River's Path
From its start, the Flat River mostly flows south and a little bit west. It travels through three different counties: Montcalm County, Ionia County, and Kent County. Finally, it flows into the Grand River in the city of Lowell.
Cities Along the Way
As the Flat River winds its way, it passes through several towns and cities. Besides Lowell, it also flows through Greenville and Belding. These towns have grown up around the river, using its water and enjoying its beauty.
Historic Bridges and Dams
The Flat River is known for a few interesting structures that cross it. These include historic bridges and several dams.
Covered Bridges
Two old and beautiful covered bridges used to cross the Flat River.
- One is the Fallasburg Bridge. You can find it in Fallasburg County Park in Vergennes Township, Kent County. This is a few miles north of Lowell.
- The other was Whites Bridge. It was located a few miles northeast of Fallasburg Bridge, in Keene Township, Ionia County, near Smyrna.
The Story of White's Bridge
White's Bridge was very special. It was the oldest covered bridge of its kind in Michigan. Sadly, on July 7, 2013, a fire destroyed it. People are working hard to raise money and rebuild this important piece of history.
Dams on the River
There are five dams built along the Flat River. Dams are structures that control the flow of water. The dams are located in Greenville, Belding, at the site of Whites Bridge, Burroughs, and Lowell.
The Flat River in Song
The Flat River is even famous enough to be mentioned in a song! It's the river named in a folk song called "Sad Ballad of Jack Haggerty." This song is sometimes also known as "Flat River Girl."
