Grand River earns designation from Michigan DNR

Agriculture

Oct 7

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has added the Lower Grand River to its list of designated water trails. It’s only the ninth such designation in all of Michigan.

A water trail is any route along a river, lake, or bay that is specifically designed for the use of small boats such as kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, or rowboats. The designation opens the door to other funding opportunities that could be used to further enhance access and amenities along the banks of the river.

The Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW), which operates as part of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC), was established to understand, protect, and improve the natural features of the Lower Grand River. Helping paddlers and boaters enjoy the river is a big part of that mission. LGROW wroks with the owners of the river access points to provide information for paddlers, boaters, and anyone planning an amazing river adventure.

“We want to thank our many partners, funders, supporters, and river access owners in this years-long effort to obtain water trail designation status,” said Cara Decker, Director of Environmental Programs, Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds. “This designation would not have been possible without their efforts and the guidance of the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program.”

The Lower Grand River spans 96 miles from Portland to Grand Haven, winding through Ionia, Kent and Ottawa counties, where it enters Lake Michigan. It joins both the Middle and Upper Grand River reaches as a designated water trail. The Lower Grand River has 35 public access points for paddlers and boaters. River explorers can find historical, environmental, and cultural points of interest along the water trail, and nearby amenities like biking trails, restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds.