River Raisin Watershed Council

Posted by Chuck Chase on Sep 25, 2016

Steve May, Executive Director of the River Raisin Watershed Council, shared these interesting facts with us: The entire watershed is approximately 1,072 square miles - roughly the size of the state of Rhode Island. The River Raisin is approximately 150 miles long. As of 2010, the watershed was home to 178,577 people.

The watershed contains areas of five Michigan Counties: Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, Jackson, Hillsdale, and a portion of Fulton County Ohio. The watershed contain approximately 429 lakes and ponds. The watershed contains 3,000 miles of man-made drainage systems. It contains 22 mainstem dams and 38 tributary dams. It is said to be the world's "crookedest river."

2016-17 projects scheduled include an assessment of the south branch since a stretch of 4.5 miles found 95 obstructions and 38 unnavigable areas. New funding coming from the Farmers Advisory Committee will amount to $480k!

Following Steve’s presentation, he gave away a Watershed T-shirt and cap.