Shiawassee River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shiawassee River |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Springfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan 42°43′51″N 83°30′39″W / 42.73086°N 83.51077°W |
| River mouth | Saginaw River, Michigan 43°23′13″N 83°57′58″W / 43.38697°N 83.96608°W |
| Length | 110 mi (180 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,201 sq mi (3,110 km2) |
The Shiawassee River is a cool river in the state of Michigan, USA. It flows for about 110 miles (177 km) from its start. The river helps drain water from a large area. This area covers parts of Oakland, Genesee, Livingston, Shiawassee, Midland, and Saginaw counties.
The Shiawassee River flows north. It joins with the Tittabawassee River to form the Saginaw River. The Saginaw River then flows into Saginaw Bay, which is part of Lake Huron. The name "Shiawassee" comes from the Chippewa language. It means "the river straight ahead."
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Exploring the Shiawassee River
The Shiawassee River basin is shaped like an hourglass. It is about 65 miles (105 km) long. It is 30 miles (48 km) wide at its ends. But it narrows to only 5 miles (8 km) wide near Corunna.
Where the River Begins
The river starts in Oakland County. It begins in Springfield Township at Shiawassee Lake. Most of the land around the river is rural. This means it has farms and small communities. Farms are common in the lower parts of the river. Upstream, you'll find farms and small towns.
Rivers Joining the Shiawassee
Near where it meets the Tittabawassee River, the Shiawassee River gets water from other rivers. These include the Bad, Flint, and Cass Rivers. This area is inside the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. Smaller streams also flow into the Shiawassee. These include Denton/North Ore Creek, South Branch Shiawassee, and Beaver Creek. The river flows through several towns. These towns are Holly, Fenton, Linden, Byron, Corunna, Owosso, and Chesaning.
Amazing Animals in the River
The Shiawassee River watershed is home to many living things. Over 61 types of fish live here. You can find darters, minnows, and channel catfish. Other fish include pugnose shiner and river chub. There are also 14 kinds of freshwater mussels.
The swamps and wet areas near the river's start are very important. They provide a home for rare plants and animals. These areas are also key stops for birds that migrate.
How the River's Land Was Formed
The land around the Shiawassee River was shaped by glaciers. Glaciers are like giant ice sheets.
Upper River Geology
The upper part of the Shiawassee River has hills and flat areas. These areas have sand and gravel. Water can easily flow through these sandy spots. This helps feed the river with groundwater.
Lower River Geology
The lower part of the river is flatter. It has fine clay and old beach deposits. These were left behind by a huge ancient lake called Lake Saginaw. This lake covered much of the area after the last ice age. The river has cut deeply into this land. This is also true for the smaller streams and farm drains that flow into it.
Protecting the Shiawassee River
Many groups work hard to keep the Shiawassee River healthy. They want to protect its natural beauty and wildlife.
HeadWaters Trails Inc.
HeadWaters Trails Inc. is a group in Holly. They help people use the river for fun activities like canoeing. They also protect the river's plants and animals. Each year, volunteers clean the river. They remove fallen trees and trash. The fallen trees are often anchored to the banks. This helps protect the shore and creates homes for fish.
These efforts allow people to paddle canoes and kayaks. You can start in Holly and go all the way to Lake Ponemah. More adventurous paddlers can even go to the dam in Byron. Headwaters Trails hosts fun events. The "Adventure Paddle" happens in June. "Canoeing in Color" is in October. These events help people learn about the river. They also raise money for improvements. This includes new places to launch boats and signs.
Friends of the Shiawassee River
Another important group is the Friends of the Shiawassee River. This non-profit organization started in 1996. Their main goals are to:
- Care: Improve the water quality and habitats.
- Share: Help the community learn about the river, especially young people.
- Enjoy: Make it easier for people to use the river for recreation.
The Friends also organize annual river clean-ups. They work to remove plants that don't belong there. They focus on the part of the river from Walnut Hills campground down to Owosso.
Keepers of the Shiawassee
The Keepers of the Shiawassee is a newer group. They help volunteers in Genesee County. Their goal is to make the river easy to navigate for paddlers. They also hold paddling events. These events, like moonlight paddles, help people learn about the river. They also help the towns along the river.
Grants and Partnerships
Headwaters Trails Inc. has received grants. These grants helped them build a boat launch in Water Works Park in Holly. They also added a bridge to make the launch easier to reach. They put up signs that tell about the river's history and nature. They even marked the river with mile markers and emergency take-out spots.
They also bought land for a new take-out spot at Fish Lake Road. This new spot will be accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities. Headwaters Trails Inc. worked with Oakland County Parks. Together, they named the river the "Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail."
Land Conservation Efforts
Several groups work to protect the land around the river. These include the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy (NOHLC), the Michigan Nature Association (MNA), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). They buy land or get agreements to prevent building on it. This helps keep the river's banks natural.
Because of these efforts, the upper Shiawassee River doesn't flood easily. When you paddle, you mostly see trees and fields, not houses. This also helps protect rare animals like the Blanding's turtle. It also protects plants like the fringed gentian.
NOHLC is fighting against invasive plants. These are plants that are not native and can harm local plants. Examples include Autumn olive and Buckthorn. These invasive plants can crowd out native plants. Native plants are important for many animals. For example, some birds, like Warblers, need specific native plants to survive.
Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail
The Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail is a special path for kayakers and canoeists. It has signs and markers to guide you.
The trail starts at Water Works Park in Holly, Michigan. After paddling about 7 miles (11 km), you can take your boat out at Strom Park in Fenton. The groups working on the river are extending the trail. They want to make it possible to paddle all the way to Byron. They are also creating new places to launch boats along the river.
