River News

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 »

Headwaters Aerial View

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

Welcome to our new edition of our summer news. We hope you find our re-designed concept interesting and easy to read. In our attempt to ‘go green’, we have shortened up this edition and have included an E-NEWS on line. You will find that some of the information contained in these articles is also on our web site. You can find out more about our programs, services and partnerships on our web site where we also provide links to much more information. Please let us know how we are doing so we can continue to provide you with the educational opportunities that your membership provides.

See you on the river,
Anne M. Vaara
Executive Director
Download this Issue as PDF

The Clinton River Watershed and surrounding areas have plenty of activities that you can pack into a day or even an entire weekend. There are a few terrific initiatives that are happening currently that will help you plan some fun. The first is the St. Clair Tourism Initiative that is sparking interest as a way to bring in people who live locally, around metropolitan Detroit and the Windsor, Ontario area to all of the wonderful and special activities in the Lake St. Clair area. Read more »

It’s Cruise Night! Not on Woodward or Gratiot, but on the waterway that connects us all…the Clinton River.

Join us and other friends of the CRWC for an evening of fun aboard “The Clinton Friendship,” Thursday, July 30, 2009. Cruise the Clinton River and on to Lake St. Clair as you enjoy a delicious meal, music, and cocktails. Read more »

You and the CRWC have an extraordinary partner in protecting our water resources. The Noble Odyssey Foundation (NOF) has partnered with us for many seasons in our river clean ups as well as many other programs and events. The young men and women of the NOF’s Sea Cadet program work with us to clear logs that would otherwise create jams or hazards by floating into the Great Lakes.

Read more »

Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. Each type of organism has the potential to affect multiple parts of its surrounding environment, and in turn, changes in the environment can affect the organisms inhabiting it. An awareness of these natural properties helps us to appreciate the intricate webs that collectively make up a productive ecosystem. Read more »

Nate Childers a science teacher and a Stream Leaders Teacher at Rochester’s Hart Middle School was recently recognized as Middle School Science Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Science Teachers Association. Science teacher of the Year winners are evaluated on a number of criteria, including inspiring students, demonstrating innovative strategies, being excellent role models and exhibiting a passion for science and teaching. Read more »

LEED: (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

The Clinton River Watershed Council has supported and is encouraging the use of LEED standards for site development and storm water management. The use of innovative storm water management BMP’s (best management practices) helps preserve the landscape, recycle water and prevents erosion of silt and nutrients off site. We have learned that keeping our water on site and re-using it is more cost effective and helps preserve the quality of our water. Read more »

A rain barrel is a container that collects rain water from roof tops. Did you know that during an average rainstorm (1″ in 24 hours) more than 700 gallons of water runs off the roof of a typical home?

Rain barrels come in several different shapes and sizes, but they all do the same thing: save water and decrease storm water runoff. Read more »