News

Special thanks to all of the volunteers that helped make the Shiawassee River Cleanup 2022 a big success this past week Thanks to all of you for your hard work to open the river to recreational paddling.

Headwaters Trails Adventure Paddle happens Saturday, June 11th.

Come join us for a pleasure paddle on the Shiawassee National Water Trail from Holly to Fenton.

Registration begins at 11AM at Waterworks Park, Holly, MI

Volunteers are needed for the annual river cleanup to open the Shiawassee River for the paddling season. The event will occur on Saturday June 4 and Sunday June 5, 2022. We will be doing the work in sections, going from one major road to the next or starting at a park. On Saturday, we have groups starting at Holly Water Works Park, Fenton Bush Park, Hogan Road, Duffield Road and the Ball field in Byron. On Sunday, groups starting at the Linden Parking lot below the Dam, McCaslin Lake Road, and Duffield Road. The work involves picking up trash as well as cutting a path through the trees that have fallen across the river. Each group will have at least one leader who can teach you everything you need to know about clearing the river in a manner that is approved by the Michigan DNR. We need people with trash bags and grabbers as well as people with chain saws. Logs that are cut are anchored in the river as shore protection and fish habitat.

Mary Blanchard is representing Headwaters Trails regarding our interests in water run-off from Holly Hills to the Shiawassee National Water Trail. Below is an update on the issues and a call to action.

The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Fund has given Headwaters Trails and the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy (NOHLC) a grant of $50,000.00 to be used for the construction of a canoe launch at Fish Lake Road on property already owned by Headwaters Trails Inc. Headwaters Trails has additionally raised $80,000.00 to complete this project, through grants of $10,000 from Saginaw Bay WIN, $17,000 from Holly Township and the rest from individual donors. See the article about the launch in the Tri-County Times.

The Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail is now designated a National Water Trail by the National Park Service. It is one of five National Water Trails in the State of Michigan.

This designation recognizes the efforts of those involved in creating a water trail and maintaining it as a recreational asset to the communities along the trail. The trail is now listed in the National Recreation Trail database. The trail is 88 miles long and stretches from the Village of Holly to the Village of Chesaning. It runs through Oakland, Genesee, Shiawassee and Saginaw counties.

Headwaters Trails is pleased to announce a fresh new look to our website. The site has been modernized, to be more secure and responsive whether you use a computer, tablet or phone. Check it out and check in frequently to find out what’s new on the river and trails.