Shiawassee River

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Saginaw River watershed

The Shiawassee River in the U.S. state of Michigan is approximately 110 miles long and generally flows in a northerly direction. It merges together with the Flint River, the Cass River and the Tittabawassee River to become the Saginaw River which eventually drains into the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron.

It has historical significance as a former trading route for local Indian tribes and sections of the Shiawassee River were used by lumber and grain mills to generate power.

Supporting approximately 742,400 acres of watershed environment, there are over 61 species of fish, including darters, minnows,channel catfish, pugnose shiner, greater redhorse, stonecat, river chub and striped shiner. There are also 14 species of freshwater mussel found in the watershed. The swamps and fens adjacent to the river's headwaters support several globally rare species of animals and play a major role in the travels of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds.

Every year in May, HeadWatersTrails Inc. in Holly (Oakland County) hosts an Annual Shiawassee River Paddle,exposing people to miles of wonderful twists and turns in the river between Holly and Fenton. Canoes are available for rent thru Heavners Canoe Rental if you don't own a boat.

Other groups that help maintain and conserve the Shiawassee River include The Nature Conservancy and the Friends of the Shiawassee River. The Friends of the Shiawassee River are a Non-profit organization founded in 1996. Their mission is to Care, to maintain and improve the water quality and habitats of the Shiawassee River watershed; Share, to enhance the community’s appreciation and knowledge of the river, especially among youth; and Enjoy, to increase recreational access and responsible use of the Shiawassee River. The Friends also hold an annual River clean-up and conduct invasive species removal workdays.