After 10 Years of Success, Water Trail Prepares for Expansion
More than 10 years ago, the Clinton River Watershed Council, together with regional partners, developed a master plan for the newly-established Clinton River Water Trail.
A water trail is a designated route along a lake, river, canal, or bay for people using small boats such as kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, single sailboats or rowboats. Sometimes called “blueways,” water trails are the aquatic equivalent of a hiking trail or “greenway” and feature well-developed access and launch points.
Often, water trails are near significant historical, environmental or cultural points of interest and include nearby amenities such as restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds.
The master plan provided a framework for developing, enhancing, managing and promoting the Water Trail. In addition, the master plan assisted local communities and regional agencies with efforts to maximize the Water Trail for community and economic development.
“LOTS of wildlife!!! Spring peepers, deer, sandhill cranes, paired geese looking for good nesting spots, lots of signs of beaver activity. Truly a BEAUTIFUL river!!!”
For years prior to the establishment of the Water Trail, veteran kayakers had paddled upper stretches of the river, but the entire river hadn’t been developed for broader audiences.
The Clinton River is 81.5 miles long, 72 miles of which is navigable as the Clinton River Water Trail. The trail includes urban areas, marshlands, woodlands and parks and offers a variety of experiences for beginners to experienced paddlers. Many communities have access sites near their downtowns, which gives paddlers easy access to restaurants and shops.
In order to help with this major planning project, CRWC hired a temporary water fellow, who was be on staff through the end of the summer. Kaija Windeler graduated from Michigan Technological University in April with a degree in Applied Ecology and Environmental Science and has a strong background in outdoor and environmental education.
“Nine-mile round trip and a little wet today. Definitely suggest to anyone no matter how experienced. Peaceful and lots of wildlife.”
Windeler was responsible for assisting with Water Trail activities including organizing and coordinating community feedback and engagement, assisting with community and user group planning meetings and developing a strategy to increase collaboration with CRWC River Stewards and paddler groups, and leading a Water Trail launch site inventory.
CRWC’s meetings with partner communities will focus on establishing a collective vision for the future of the Water Trail and coordinating improvement efforts such as installing new launches and wayfinding signs.
We’re also aiming to re-establish regular meetings for partner communities which were halted due to COVID-19.
“It was a beautiful day for a little therapy. Temps were awesome, and the water wasn’t too cold.”
The new plan will feature updated action items, future plans and new communications efforts. Strategies will focus on increasing individual and group usage of the Water Trail; improving visibility; improving user experiences; aligning strategies with watershed wide education and conservation efforts.