Saginaw River
| Saginaw River | |
|---|---|
 Saginaw River watershed |
|
| Origin | 43°23′14″N 83°57′58″W / 43.38724°N 83.96608°W[1] |
| Mouth | 43°38′49″N 83°51′02″W / 43.64696°N 83.85053°WCoordinates: 43°38′49″N 83°51′02″W / 43.64696°N 83.85053°W |
| Length | 22 mi (35 km) |
| Basin area | 8,595 sq mi (22,260 km2) |
The Saginaw River is a 22.4-mile-long (36.0 km)[2] river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is formed by the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Shiawassee rivers southwest of Saginaw. It flows northward into the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron just northeast of Bay City. The watershed area is 8,595 square miles (22,260 km2).[3]
The river is an important shipping route for Mid-Michigan, passing through the cities of Saginaw and Bay City. It is one of Michigan's few inland navigable rivers.
[edit] Recreational activities
The Saginaw River is popular with recreational boaters and fishermen. It is home to the annual Shiver on the River walleye ice fishing contest. Each winter, trophy-sized fish are taken through the ice and again early in the spring. The Saginaw Bay Yacht Club is located near the mouth of the Saginaw River.
Tens of thousands flock to its banks for annual festivals such as the River Roar speed boat races[4] and two of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest.[5]
A three-mile, hard-surfaced RiverWalk that is great for hiking, biking or just easy strolls is featured along the riverbanks in downtown Saginaw and Bay City.
[edit] Pollution
The Saginaw River and its watershed have been polluted with various wastes discharged into the Saginaw River and its tributaries from several sources. The Dow Chemical Company, General Motors, City of Bay City, and the City of Saginaw have contributed to the release of dioxins into the Saginaw River.[6][7] Agricultural and various other activities result in the release of even more chemicals and other toxic wastes into the river. [8]
[edit] References
- ^ "Saginaw River". Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Geological Survey. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:636503.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed November 7, 2011
- ^ Saginaw River Great Lakes Commission
- ^ Bay City River Roar
- ^ Saginaw Area Fireworks
- ^ Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
- ^ Pollution clean-up deal for the Saginaw River
- ^ EPA
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