The Red Cedar River Is An Underdeveloped, Prized, Mid-Michigan River Asset. 

by Mike Stout, President and Founder, Michigan Waterways Stewards
This was the first time I have paddled the 22 miles of the Red Cedar River running from Williamston to Lansing, MI. I was told this would be about a four hour trip with no known obstructions, other than the underwater dam located on the campus of MSU.
​This section of the Red Cedar Rivers is packed with varied rural, urban, and campus living, intermixed with business and industry, and a number of treasured parks and preserves. ​It  is home of an abundance of wildlife and scenic beauty. It is a stretch of river I look forward to returning.
But, on this winter day, January 13, 2023, I was forced to take 11 portages. Because of the extraordinary effort required to portage around the many  river-wide obstructions, of which eight were located in Meridian Riverside Park, the paddle took two hours longer than expected. I finished at just under six hours.

The Red Cedar River - Meridian Township

•  SCENIC
•  WILD
•  ​NOT USER FRIENDLY
While this was the most scenic stretch, including several parks, preserves, nature centers, and accompanying river trail systems, it was the most challenging to paddle due to eight river-wide obstructions found over a short distance of about 1.25 miles.  
Let me take you down Segment Two of the Red Cedar River.
With a little effort, Meridian Township could greatly enhance the Red Cedar River appeal and usage, and build on its remarkable recreation and park system reputation:
  • It appears that along the entire south side of the Red Cedar River here, there are accessible river trails allowing the City to  access the river.
  • If the Township did not want to remove these river-wide obstructions in their entirely, then create 'at least' 10 - 12’ passages.
  • With the river at seasonal low levels now, now is the ideal time to conduct river improvement work.  
  • Depending on the size and skill of a dedicated crew, it is reasonable to believe this work could be completed within a couple of days. 
  • Once the obstructions have been removed, and natural debris pulled from the river, when the ground hardens during a deep freeze or later in the year when the ground dries, any piles of wood could be moved elsewhere to be discarded.
To view the  January 24, 2023 presentation made to Meridian Township Board, please download the attachment below.
meridian_township_board__1.24.23.pdf
File Size: 21517 kb
File Type: pdf
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CREATING  A MID-MICHIGAN TOP RIVER DESTINATION

With a little effort, improved focus, and a collaborative effort, we can transform the Red Cedar River into a top river destination not just in Michigan. It is worthy of a grand celebration.