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Flint River National Water Trail

The Flint River National Water Trail is a 72 mile water trail that provides a variety of recreational experiences and opportunities with 25 access sites across two counties, including the new Chevy Commons State Park. The Flint River National Water Trail was designated by the National Park Service in November 2020, and was also one of the first eight water trails in Michigan given state water trail designation in 2018. The Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC) offers many opportunities to paddle and enjoy our nationally recognized water trail. 

What Lives Here

Look closely and you will find rich biodiversity along the river. Many of these species help inform us that the Flint River is healthy and improving:

  • River otters have been spotted in Lapeer County.

  • Eagles, heron, and osprey can be seen all along the river, including in downtown Flint.

  • Muskrat, beaver, turtle, and deer sightings often delight paddlers as well.

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We’ve also observed much smaller organisms thrive throughout the river system for a number of years. Benthic macroinvertebrates, more commonly known as bugs or river critters, tell us how healthy our rivers, lakes, and streams are.​

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These organisms that live in the stream have different levels of sensitivity to pollution. Some can live only in water with little or no pollution, but others can exist even with surprising levels of pollution. By collecting them and noting what types and how many of each type are living in the stream, we can get an idea of how healthy the river is. The more benthic macroinvertebrates we find that are sensitive, the higher the score, meaning the healthier the stream is. We track that information from season to season and year to year, and share it with both local and state agencies.

 

Every spring and fall FRWC monitors 34 different sites in and around Genesee and Lapeer counties. Our monitoring process revolves around a specific 300 foot stretch at each stream so that we are consistent in monitoring the same area every time. As part of the process we spend 90 “wet net” minutes collecting at a site. This means that regardless of how many volunteers you have at a site, the total time spent collecting is 90 minutes. So if you have 2 volunteers collecting, you would each spend 45 minutes sampling all the available habitats within the 300 foot stretch.

About the Friends of The Flint River Watershed

The Friends of the Flint River Watershed, Inc. (Friends) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC), a program of Genesee County Parks and Recreation. Together, the Friends and FRWC work to protect, promote, and improve the Flint River ecosystem and its watershed to benefit plants, animals, individuals, businesses, and the community for all to enjoy and experience. Donations are tax-deductible. 

EIN: 38-3546239

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630 W. Kearsley St.

Flint, MI 48503

(810) 767-6490

flintriverfriends@gmail.com

© 2024 Friends of the Flint River Watershed, Inc.
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