Au Sable River (Michigan)
Encyclopedia
The Au Sable River in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....

 runs approximately 138 miles (222.1 km) through the northern Lower Peninsula
Lower Peninsula of Michigan
The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is the southern of the two major landmasses of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border, which it shares with Ohio and Indiana. Geographically, the Lower Peninsula has a recognizable shape that many people...

, through the towns of Grayling
Grayling, Michigan
Grayling is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Crawford County. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams....

 and Mio
Mio, Michigan
Mio is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Oscoda County and is situated along the boundary between Mentor Township on the east and Big Creek Township on the west....

, and enters Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...

 at Oscoda
Oscoda, Michigan
Oscoda is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan located on the northern side of the Au Sable River where it enters Lake Huron. The community of Au Sable is on the other side of the river. Oscoda is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County, and not in Oscoda County, which is to the...

. It is considered one of the best brown trout
Brown trout
The brown trout and the sea trout are fish of the same species....

 fisheries east of the Rockies
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...

 and has been designated a blue ribbon
Blue Ribbon fisheries
A Blue Ribbon fishery is a designation made in the United States by government and other authorities to identify recreational fisheries of extremely high quality...

 trout stream by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. In French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...

, au sable literally means "with sand." A 1795 map calls it the Beauais River.

Description

The Au Sable has a drainage basin of 1932 square miles (5,003.9 km²) and an average flow of 1,100 ft³/s (31 m³/s) at its mouth. The river drops 650 feet (198.1 m) from its source at the junction of Kolka and Bradford Creeks.

The main branch of the river is formed at 44°48′21"N 84°45′29"W in Frederic Township
Frederic Township, Michigan
Frederic Township is a civil township of Crawford County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,401 at the 2000 census.Frederic is an unincorporated community in the township on the middle branch of the Au Sable River at . The ZIP code is 49733...

 in Crawford County
Crawford County, Michigan
See also: List of counties bordering eight counties-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 14,273 people, 5,625 households, and 4,038 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile . There were 10,042 housing units at an average density of 18 per...

 by the confluence of Kolke and Bradford Creeks, which both rise in Otsego County
Otsego County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,301 people, 8,995 households, and 6,539 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 13,375 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...

. The river flows south then turns east through Grayling
Grayling, Michigan
Grayling is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Crawford County. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams....

, where it is joined by the East Branch Au Sable River at 44°39′55"N 84°42′13"W. The East Branch rises in Lovells Township
Lovells Township, Michigan
Lovells Township is a civil township of Crawford County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 578 at the 2000 census. It is home to the famous Lovells bridge walk....

, Crawford County at 44°49′46"N 84°35′59"W.

The Au Sable continues eastward and is joined by the South Branch Au Sable River at 44°39′23"N 84°28′06"W in South Branch Township
South Branch Township, Crawford County, Michigan
South Branch Township is a civil township of Crawford County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,842 at the 2000 census.- Communities :...

. The South Branch rises out of Lake St. Helen in Richfield Township
Richfield Township, Roscommon County, Michigan
Richfield Township is a civil township of Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 4,139.- Geography :...

, Roscommon County
Roscommon County, Michigan
-Local attractions and activities:The community is centered in the area of two very large lakes, in the middle of large state forests. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers, and turkeys. Local attractions and activities include:...

 at 44°22′54"N 84°26′38"W and flows northwest into Roscommon
Roscommon, Michigan
Roscommon is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,133. It is the county seat of Roscommon County....

 then northeast to the main branch of the Au Sable. The North Branch Au Sable River joins within approximately 5 miles (8 km) in eastern Crawford County at 44°40′14"N 84°22′51"W
near the boundary with Oscoda County
Oscoda County, Michigan
See also: List of counties bordering eight counties-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,418 people, 3,921 households, and 2,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile . There were 8,690 housing units at an average density of 15 per...

. The North Branch rises in Bagley Township
Bagley Township, Michigan
Bagley Township is a civil township of Otsego County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,838 at the 2000 census.- Communities :...

, Otsego County, near Lake Otsego.

The Au Sable then flows mostly east through Oscoda County, then south and east through Alcona County
Alcona County, Michigan
Alcona County is a county of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population is 11,719. Its county seat is Harrisville. Alphabetically it is the first county in Michigan, as its flag states "First of the 83".-History:...

 and Iosco County
Iosco County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 27,339 people, 11,727 households, and 7,857 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 20,432 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...

. The river's watershed also drains portions of Montmorency County
Montmorency County, Michigan
-Michigan State trunklines:* M-32* M-33-Michigan State trunkline business loops:* Business M-32 is short, disconnected route in the village of Hillman.-Montmorency County intercounty highways:* F-01* F-21-Demographics:...

 and Ogemaw County
Ogemaw County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 21,645 people, 8,842 households, and 6,189 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 15,404 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile...

.

Most of the main branch of the Au Sable flows through or adjacent to the Huron-Manistee National Forest. 23 miles (37 km) of the river, from the Mio Pond downstream to the Alcona Pond, was designated as a National Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River is a designation for certain protected areas in the United States.The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was an outgrowth of the recommendations of a Presidential commission, the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission...

 on October 4, 1984. The watershed provides habitat for bald eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...

s and the endangered Kirtland's warbler
Kirtland's Warbler
Kirtland's Warbler is a small songbird of the New World warbler family , named after Jared P. Kirtland, an Ohio doctor and amateur naturalist. Nearly extinct just 50 years ago, it is well on its way to recovery. It requires large areas of dense young jack pine for its breeding habitat...

. Five percent of the land in the watershed is National Forest and 29% is state forest.

It is a designated trout stream, and many canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...

 liveries exist along the river, which offer canoe trips from a few hours to as long as a week. The river was originally a grayling
Grayling (genus)
Thymallus is a genus of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes; it is the only genus of subfamily Thymallinae. The type species is T. thymallus, the grayling. The genus's five distinct species are generically called graylings, but without qualification this also refers...

 fishery with brook trout
Brook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...

 being released in the 1880s. By 1908 the grayling were gone although they were reintroduced in 1987. (See Grayling, Michigan
Grayling, Michigan
Grayling is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Crawford County. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams....

 for more information on the Grayling and the fish hatchery.) Brown trout is the current main catch. The Lumberman's Monument
Lumberman's Monument
Lumberman's Monument is a monument dedicated to the workers of the early logging industry in Michigan. It was built in 1931, dedicated in 1932 and is managed by the USDA Forest Service . It is located in the northeastern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan along the Au Sable River within...

, in honor of the lumberjacks that first populated the area, is located on the river about 15 miles (24.1 km) west of Oscoda. Lumbering along the river began in the 1860s and was finished by the 1910s.

The Au Sable River is also the site of a yearly 120 miles (193.1 km) pro-am canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...

 race, the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon
Au Sable River Canoe Marathon
The ' is an annual canoe race in Michigan from Grayling to Oscoda. It first ran in 1947, is perhaps the oldest marathon canoe race in the United States, and is the longest, non-stop, canoe-only race in North America...

, which begins at 9:00 p.m. and runs through the night into the next day. Winning times have ranged from 14 to 21 hours. The race was first run in 1947.

River Road, running parallel with the Au Sable River, is a designated National Scenic Byway
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...

.

There are six hydro-electric power plants
Hydropower
Hydropower, hydraulic power, hydrokinetic power or water power is power that is derived from the force or energy of falling water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since ancient times, hydropower has been used for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical devices, such as...

 in the Au Sable River basin, with a total installed capacity of 41 MW and an average annual energy output of 500 GJ. The six reservoirs were constructed between 1911 and 1924.

The Au Sable has about 350 miles (563.3 km) of tributary streams including the Pine River
Pine River (Michigan)
Pine River may refer to any of the following streams in the U.S. state of Michigan:# Pine River . The main branch forms with the confluence of the East and West Branches of the Pine River at in Alcona County...

.

Along the Au Sable River there are many places to stop. Some of the most common places to stop are Comins Flatts and McKinley. The most common place to start a trip along the river is in Grayling. They have many places to rent canoes.

Towns along river

  • Arbutus Beach, Michigan
  • Au Sable, Michigan
    Au Sable, Michigan
    Au Sable is an unincorporated community in Au Sable Township of Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the southern side of Au Sable River where is enters Lake Huron. The community of Oscoda is on the other side of the river. Au Sable is a census-designated place for...

  • Grayling, Michigan
    Grayling, Michigan
    Grayling is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Crawford County. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams....

  • Lewiston, Michigan
    Lewiston, Michigan
    Lewiston is an unincorporated community in Montmorency County, Michigan, United States. It is a census-designated place used for statistical purposes. The population was 990 at the 2000 census...

  • Lovells, Michigan
  • Mio, Michigan
    Mio, Michigan
    Mio is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Oscoda County and is situated along the boundary between Mentor Township on the east and Big Creek Township on the west....

  • Oscoda, Michigan
    Oscoda, Michigan
    Oscoda is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan located on the northern side of the Au Sable River where it enters Lake Huron. The community of Au Sable is on the other side of the river. Oscoda is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County, and not in Oscoda County, which is to the...

  • Roscommon, Michigan
    Roscommon, Michigan
    Roscommon is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,133. It is the county seat of Roscommon County....


River dams

Ordered from upriver to downriver
  • Mio Dam
  • Alcona Dam
    Alcona Dam
    Alcona Dam is a hydro-electric dam on the Au Sable River in Michigan.-Background:This hydro-electric dam is capable of producing 8,000 kilowatts. It is currently named after the county where it is located, but was originally named for a nearby road called Bamfield. Work began on Bamfield Dam in...

  • Loud Dam
  • Five Channels Dam
    Five Channels Dam
    Five Channels Dam is a hydro-electric dam on the Au Sable River in Michigan.-Background:This hydro-electric dam was completed in 1912 and is capable of producing 6,000 kilowatts. It is named for the nearby location on the Au Sable River where there were once five distinct river channels...

  • Cooke Dam
  • Foote Dam

Historical markers

The river has four historical markers on it:
  • Cooke Hydroelectric Plant
  • Five Channels Dam Workers Camp
  • The Louis Chevalier Claim
  • Mio Hydroelectric Plant

River valley attractions and events

  • The Michigan Au Sable Valley Railroad is located in Fairview
    Fairview, Michigan
    Fairview is an unincorporated community in Comins Township, Oscoda County in the northeastern Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is at the intersection of routes M-33 and M-72 at...

    . It is 1/4 scale 16 gauge railroad, that offers rides on a passenger train through the scenic Northern Michigan
    Northern Michigan
    Northern Michigan, also known as Northern Lower Michigan , is a region of the U.S. state of Michigan...

     landscape. It operates in Jack Pine
    Jack Pine
    Jack pine is a North American pine with its native range in Canada east of the Rocky Mountains from Northwest Territories to Nova Scotia, and the northeast of the United States from Minnesota to Maine, with the southernmost part of the range just into northwest Indiana...

     country during the summer months. Riders travel through parts of the Huron National Forest and overlook the beautiful Comins Creek Valley.
  • Weyerhaeuser Au Sable River Canoe Marathon
    Au Sable River Canoe Marathon
    The ' is an annual canoe race in Michigan from Grayling to Oscoda. It first ran in 1947, is perhaps the oldest marathon canoe race in the United States, and is the longest, non-stop, canoe-only race in North America...

    , starts in Grayling
    Grayling, Michigan
    Grayling is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Crawford County. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams....

     and ends in Oscoda
    Oscoda, Michigan
    Oscoda is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan located on the northern side of the Au Sable River where it enters Lake Huron. The community of Au Sable is on the other side of the river. Oscoda is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County, and not in Oscoda County, which is to the...

     120 miles (193.1 km) down the river. It is one of three marathon races that constitute canoe racing
    Canoe racing
    This article discusses canoe sprint and canoe marathon, competitive forms of canoeing and kayaking on more or less flat water. Both sports are governed by the International Canoe Federation ....

    's Triple Crown. The race is always held the last full weekend in July.
  • First Dam Canoe Race (MCRA - Canoe Race) is a yearly event.
  • Six miles west of Oscoda
    Oscoda, Michigan
    Oscoda is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan located on the northern side of the Au Sable River where it enters Lake Huron. The community of Au Sable is on the other side of the river. Oscoda is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County, and not in Oscoda County, which is to the...

    , on River Road Scenic Byway, the Au Sable River Queen offers paddle boat excursions.
  • Within this area is Kirtlands Warbler habitat, so it is an important center for bird watchers.
  • The Lumberman's Monument
    Lumberman's Monument
    Lumberman's Monument is a monument dedicated to the workers of the early logging industry in Michigan. It was built in 1931, dedicated in 1932 and is managed by the USDA Forest Service . It is located in the northeastern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan along the Au Sable River within...

     is adjacent to the river.
  • River Road, running parallel with the river, is a designated National Scenic Byway
    National Scenic Byway
    A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...

    for the 23 miles that go into Oscoda.
  • Canoer's Memorial
  • Iargo Springs

External links

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