River News

‘Fall/Winter 2009 - Vol. 14: Issue 3’

Headwaters Aerial View

Greetings Friends of the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair,

Welcome to the fall/winter news edition. Inside you will find information about activities along and in the river and how a group of citizens can help keep a river clean.  There are some studies being done on the river that may be in your own backyard. These studies include measuring stream flow and collecting macroinvertabrate (aquatic bugs) data for measuring water quality. If these sound interesting to you, there are ways to get involved and become a volunteer. We also have included some tips for fall and winter water quality care.

Happy Holidays to our Watershed Friends.

See you on the river,
Anne M. Vaara
Executive Director

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The Clinton River has a rich history of use but nothing may be more challenging these days than navigation for the paddling community and the loss of aquatic habitat due to the woody debris issue. From the fast and furious flows to the falling woody debris, protecting this habitat has become increasingly more difficult. Paddling the Clinton River can be tough. Jerry Reis of Outdoor Escorts and other volunteers have been keeping a navigation channel open from Avon/Livernois to Ryan Road. He started back in the early 1990’s so he could paddle freely without too many portages. Read more »

In the summer of 2009, Trout Unlimited member and avid fisherman Adam Avery and Dr. Scott Tiegs, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Oakland University, began to characterize in detail the streamflow and temperature of Paint Creek.  Of particular interest was the effect of summertime precipitation events on streamflow and temperature.  Read more »

Over 200 volunteers already participate in the Adopt-A-Stream program throughout the Clinton River watershed.  However, there is a need for more volunteers. Interested citizens do not need prior experience with water quality monitoring. Adopt-A-Stream volunteers come from all walks of life, but are brought together by their concern for our local water quality, natural resources, and environment. New volunteers from all cities, villages, and townships are encouraged to attend.  Read more »

Discarded monofilament fishing line can wreak havoc on the environment by entangling, injuring and killing birds and aquatic wildlife.  It can also cost boaters thousands of dollars when it gets caught in boat propellers and other gear.

Local kayak outfitters Outdoor Escorts and the St. Clair Shores Waterfront Advisory Committee have recently installed monofilament recycling stations at various locations throughout the watershed. Read more »

This past summer CRWC helped coordinate several different projects aimed to conserve and restore parts of our watershed.   CRWC in partnership with local chapters of Boy Scouts of America completed four projects in an effort to increase the abundance and diversity of fish and wildlife in the area.  Over 10 wood duck nest boxes were constructed and strategically placed in two different nature preserves for hopes that they will attract the spectacular duck species.  Read more »

Winter brings with it lots of fun outdoor activities, like sledding and skiing. Winter also means mounds of snow to shovel and layers of slippery ice to remove from our sidewalks and driveways. We often attempt to make the job easier by using various products to melt the snow and ice. However, many people do not realize that many of these products have hidden impacts. When the ice melts, the salt and chemicals dissolve and flow into street drains and catch basins that lead directly to a lake or stream. Read more »