Rouge Riv Middle Brancer h
LIVONIA 275
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Playground
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DEARBORN HEIGHTS
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Newburgh Lake
Livonia, Michigan
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Recommended Launch Site Point of Interest Park/Public Land Log Jams Managed in this Area SMART Bus Route 200
•SMART Bus Route 200 - This Michigan Avenue bus line can be used as a shuttle for paddlers, schedules are available online at: 275 www.smartbus.org/Schedules/Route-Schedules
C G F K B N
Commerce Court Goudy Park Ford Field City Park Kessey Fieldhouse Boat Launch Belanger Park Boat Launch Newburgh Lake Boat Launch
Paddling Access
Food Service
and Amenities
Picnic Area
Recommended Launch Sites
Restrooms
0.5 Mile
Parking
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Primitive Launch
Southeast Michigan
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Launch Sites & Points of Interest
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•Commerce Court - primitive launch site and parking available behind Business Park at 3600 Commerce Court. Access the launch site via short, steep walk from parking lot downhill to river. •Goudy Park - located behind Wayne City Hall with easy access to downtown Wayne. There is ample parking and river access is a short carry down a set of steps to the launch site. Launch improvements are scheduled for 2016. The Park hosts a weekly Farmer’s Market and the annual Rouge-A-Palooza. •Venoy-Dorsey Recreation Area - provides river access and parking but no designated launch site or restroom facility.
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Fort Street Park
Melvindale - River Rouge 39
4
! Forman
City Park
St 85
St
er Rouge Riv
RIVER ROUGE
Belanger Park Boat Launch
ALLEN B PARK!
MELVINDALE
Rouge River
3
Rouge River X
Kessey Fieldhouse Boat Launch
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275
Developed Launch
153
! K
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Dearborn
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Fordson Island
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94 153
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CANTON TWP
Turning Basin
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ROMULUS
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•Inkster Wetlands - created to receive and filter storm water O from akwood B •Kessey Fieldhouse Boat Launch - concrete boat launch located lvd behind the Fieldhouse which has restrooms and ample parking. This the neighborhood and to create wildlife habitat. Stop for a break and 75 stretch of river is channelized. you might hear one of the six species of frogs and toads that live here. •Ford Rouge Center Turning Basin - historic turning basin •Inkster Recreation Area - provides river access via Lower used to facilitate launching of ships for WWI and to accommodate Rouge Pkwy Drive. A pedestrian/bicycle bridge crosses the river and ships supplying ore and other raw materials used in automobile connects the parkland, a picnic shelter and restrooms are located in manufacturing. Watch for freighters 94 as you approach this area. the east side of the park. •Fordson Island - created in the 1920s when the shipping channel •Ford Field City Park (Dearborn) - provides easy river access from was dug. Long term plans are to make the island a nature park. The the pond, has ample parking, restrooms and two picnic shelters. The adjacent former Oakwood Heights neighborhood is being replaced route downstream has a long white water section that can be paddled with green space by Marathon Petroleum. downstream but is too shallow to be paddled back up.
•Fort Street Park – park being created to commemorate the historic 1932 Ford Hunger March, plans to include a dock and kayak launch. •Forman City Park (Detroit) - underdeveloped park located between the railway and I-75 Bridge, plans to add a paddler rest stop. •Belanger Park Boat Launch (City of River Rouge) - a developed launch site provides access to the Detroit River and restroom facilities. Launching is free to residents; non-residents may be charged a fee. •Newburgh Lake Boat Launch (Middle Branch) - canoe and kayak rentals are available from Heavner Canoe Rental at Newburgh Point as well as restrooms and limited parking. You can paddle the lake in an hour or pack lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing and fishing.
Allen Rd
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VAN BUREN TWP
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! Ford Rouge Center
DEARBORN
24
St
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R iv e r Rougre Branch e w Lo
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Fo r
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Paddling Guide
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Published January 2016 Layout Assistance: National Park Service - RTCA Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance
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Park/Public Land
0.5 Mile
Detroit River
rson Ave effe
er Rouge Riv
St 85
RIVER ROUGE
Belanger Park Boat Launch
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X Recommended Launch Site
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Blvd
Point of y Interest Coolidge Hw
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R iv e r Rougre Branch Lowe
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Wayne Paddle
ROMULUS 0
0.125
Park/Public Land
0.25 Mile
Because the Rouge is a very flashy river, paddlers should stay off the river during and after heavy rain or snowmelt. The river can rise rapidly and become very dangerous and water quality deteriorates due to stormwater and CSO inputs. Logjams are common on the lower branch. The featured routes are relatively ! open, but paddlers should expect occasional portages around fresh fallen trees and pull throughs. Freighters can be encountered from the Ford Rouge Center Turning Basin to the mouth and should be given wide berth as they can cause rapid changes in water level and direction of flow. Wind can be an issue from the confluence of the lower and main branches, downstream, as well as on Newburgh Lake. Paddling in the early morning, and use of low-profile boats, such as kayaks, will minimize wind issues. Always wear a personal floatation device when paddling, and around launch sites. Paddle with a friend, or notify someone of your float plan beforehand. Wear protective footwear that can withstand getting wet. Be prepared to be in the water at some point in your trip, however swimming is not recommended. Pack personal gear in a waterproof bag and secure it to your boat to avoid losing items.
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CherryLaunch X Recommended Hill S Site t
Point of Interest
SMART Bus Route 200
e River Roug Lower Branch
n Rd
Ford Field in Dearborn offers an easy launch into a pond that connects to the Lower Branch. Paddlers can head out into the Lower Branch and paddle upstream and back. Heading downstream is a little more adventurous. A stretch of fast moving, shallow water starting at the covered bridge is manageable but must be walked on the return. The river is wooded and natural. Work is being done to open logjams for paddling to the confluence with the Main Branch where one can paddle up to the historic Ford Estate waterfall or down along the concrete channel. Hazards include logjams and the waterfall. Canoe and kayak rentals and shuttle service can be arranged with Heavner Canoe Rental. Paddlers looking to combine their trip with dining, shopping or other entertainment will find Dearborn to be easily walkable, or can use the Michigan Avenue SMART bus as a shuttle.
City Park
MELVINDALE
WAYNE
39
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0.25
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S Dix St
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Kessey Fieldhouse Boat Launch 0
Fort Street Park
Canoeing and kayaking on the Rouge River is a unique recreational experience that requires an understanding of various hazards. The Rouge River is recovering from years of heavy industrial use; many hazards are still present but can INKSTER be avoided if cautious. Potential hazards include: high water, logjams, debris, wind, water quality issues and freighter traffic.
F !
Everg ree
Newburgh Lake offers a relaxing paddle around a beautiful lake. See lots of wildlife and beautiful foliage. You can paddle the lake in approximately one hour or pack a lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing and fishing. Hazards include wind, poor water quality and occasional algal blooms. Heavner Canoes offers canoe and kayak rentals on warm week-ends.
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Ford Field City Park
Michigan Ave
S Brady St
The majority of the Lower branch of the Rouge River shown on this map is public land, owned and managed by Wayne 12 Dearborn Paddle Newburgh Lake: picnic paddle County Parks and other municipalities. In and around Ford Field
VAN BUREN TWP
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S Military St
Towering protected within Wayne County Parkland. This route highlights the floodplain forests open by hard-working kept s logjam en betwe ver maneu you as cottonwoods and sycamores greet you Court off hour trip begins behind 3600 Commerce volunteers in the City of Wayne . The 1 1/2-2 a soon to be ends on the grassy banks of Goudy Park at and launch ive primit a at e Avenu an Michig
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Allen Rd
This publication is provided only as a general guide. It is a graphic rendition of what paddlers might experience on the Rouge River. Conditions on the river are subject to constant change. Do not rely on this guide as a navigational tool or to identify all hazards. Paddle times depicted on featured trip maps are approximate and can vary based on skill level, energy level and weather conditions. Remember that kayaking and canoeing have inherent risks and you are solely responsible for your own safety.
County Parkland: the foreste d Lower Branch
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River Safety
75
Fordson Island
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Commerce Court to Goudy Park in Wayne
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Enjoy your paddle!
The Lower Branch route highlights the floodplain forests protected within Wayne County Parkland. Towering cottonwoods and sycamores greet you as you maneuver the narrow river. Friends of the Rouge volunteers help keep this stretch of river open by opening log jams and fallen trees. Great blue herons and wood ducks are plentiful and you may glimpse an occasional mink or deer. The two hour trip starts behind 3600 Commerce Court off Michigan Avenue and ends at Goudy Park in downtown Wayne. Hazards include occasional log jams or fallen trees, and shallow spots, especially during low water. Canoe and kayak rentals and shuttle service can be arranged with Heavner Canoe Rental. Paddlers can find dining, shopping or other entertainment within walking distance in Wayne. The Michigan Avenue SMART bus can be used as a shuttle.
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Wayne Paddle
Turning Basin
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94
The Industrial Rouge
Commerce Court to Goudy Park
For more information, please visit: www.therouge.org
Gr e
! Ford Rouge Center
Raupp R d
improved launch. You can use the Michigan Avenue Smart bus as a shuttle. Great blue herons and wood ducks are plentiful and you may glimpse an occasional mink or deer. Hazards include occasional obstructions, logs you must duck under, low spots especially during low water. This route is not recommended for several days after significant rain.
This route highlights the unique industrial history of the 275 Rouge River. See the massive Ford Rouge Center (Ford Rouge Plant), pass under multiple suspension bridges, glimpse diverse wildlife and possibly pass a freighter or two. The two hour trip begins at the Kessey Fieldhouse Boat Launch in Melvindale and ends on the Detroit River at the Belanger Park Boat Launch in the City of River Rouge. Sea kayaks are recommended due to wind and open water. Hazards include freighters, boat traffic, poor water quality and limited take-out sites due to industrial operations and armored banks. Riverside Kayak Connection offers an annual trip in partnership with Friends of the Rouge every September and can organize trips by appointment.
Bu tle
Melvindale to River Rouge
DEARBORN
12
t Nam e
Paddling Guide
The Industrial Rouge
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M
Stree
ROUGE RIVER WATER TRAIL
or two. The mende d due to launch in River Rouge . Sea kayaks are recom the Detroi t River at the Belanger Park boat on the Detroi t River, wind, poor ally especi boats other ers, freight e wind and open water. Hazards includ Kayak Conne ction out due to the armore d banks. Riverside water quality and few possibilities for pulling appointment. by trips ze organi can and ber Septem FOTR every offers an annual trip in partne rship with
Kayak Rental Providers Riverside Kayak Connection (734)285-2925
RiversideKayak.com
(248)798-7434
HeavnerCanoe.com
Heavner Canoe Rental Dearborn Paddle
0
0.10
0.20 Mile
Park/Public Land
X Recommended Launch Site
SMART Bus Route 200
