RiverUp! is a river renaissance.

We can’t imagine Ann Arbor without a healthy, vital Huron River. Or Ypsilanti. Or Milford. Or Hamburg, etc., for that matter. We have the good fortune to live in splendid communities abundant with natural amenities — none more so than the Huron River.

Yet we stand at critical point in the life of this incredible resource. We can be indifferent, taking for granted that a healthy Huron will always be there, meandering along its 100-mile length through five counties. Or we can seize the opportunity to ensure that the Huron River is ready to enjoy for today’s and tomorrow’s children.

A vision. A goal. A plan.

RiverUp! is our answer to Congressman John D. Dingell’s call for the development and implementation of a substantive plan for the Huron River’s future. HRWC, along with a core group of community and business leaders recently began to formulate a strategy to realize the goal of a vibrant, robust and fully restored river – a destination for residents and tourists.

RiverUp! has three long-term objectives:

FixUp! by investing in recreation infrastructure

CleanUp! by improving the ecological health of the river

BuildUp! by facing our communities toward the river and transform the river corridor into a premier destination

A Successful Launch

Progress on these three areas was presented at the launch of RiverUp! in August 2011 at Ann Arbor’s Island Park along the Huron River to kick-off the initiative.

Thirty-five people joined the morning bus tour of RiverUp! efforts in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti to build canoe and kayak portages, reclaim old industrial properties, and shape a Huron River Water Trail.  The press event began at 1:30 and included rousing and heartfelt comments from Congressman John Dingell, Jerry Jung, Tom Woiwode, John Hieftje, Tom Buhr, and Laura Rubin. A highlight was a group of children from the City of Ann Arbor canoe camp talking about why they like the Huron River (“because I just like doing lots of stuff on it”).

The Twitter stream, photos and short video of the launch capture the energy of the event.

Local and national (USA Today and the AP wire) media outlets spread the good news story via radio, television, and print and online newspapers. Read the article from annarbor.com.

Project Profiles

• Overview map of current RiverUp! projects

• Difficult dam portages have been investigated and recommendations made for responsible parties to make the needed improvements. The portage of the Superior dam between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti will be the first site to be fixed up. See the site design drawings that will be in place for the next paddling season.

• See what’s underway in Ypsilanti with RiverUp! and its partners

• Building the Huron River Water Trail has gotten a boost from RiverUp!

Through these projects and more, the plan for a Huron River renaissance is being developed. We’re taking the ideas and enthusiasm of many conversations and making recommendations for the next three years of RiverUp!

For more information, contact Elizabeth Riggs, HRWC Watershed Planner and RiverUp! Coordinator.