- Bridge Michigan is launching the River Awards this summer
- Nominate your favorite rivers in seven categories before June 19
- Once the nominations are set, the public will vote on the winners
Michigan’s freshwater coastline runs 3,288 miles, more than any other state in the US.
But did you know that Michigan’s river and stream shoreline is 46 times longer than that?
There are 300 named rivers in Michigan, yet it often seems like the four Great Lakes touched by the state get all the credit.
Well, Bridge Michigan is aiming to change that.
Fans cheer on canoe racers during the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan) 
Kenneth Kornheiser and his four-legged first mate, MissLucyHoneycutt, paddle on the Kalamazoo River near Saylor’s Landing. (Dale G. Young for Bridge Michigan) 
Houses along the Muskegon River. (Laura Herberg/Bridge Michigan) 
Paddlers celebrate the last day of winter by going out on the Rouge River in metro Detroit. (Courtesy of Matthew Conzett) 
Runners compete in a 5K along the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie. (Courtesy of the Yooper Running Co.) 
The Presque Isle River flows into Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula. (Laura Herberg/Bridge Michigan) 
Bridge Michigan is seeking nominations for your favorite rivers in the state. Here, beachgoers on Belle Isle watch the sun break through the clouds over the Detroit River. (Laura Herberg/Bridge Michigan)
This summer, we’re embarking on a project all about our rivers — from issues they face to the best ways to enjoy them.
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As part of the series, we’re announcing the River Awards.
RELATED:
- Michigan loves a ‘river story.’ But happy ending isn’t guaranteed
- Bridge wants to hear from you about Michigan rivers
- What it’s like to cheer all night at Au Sable canoe race
We want you to tell us the best Michigan rivers for paddling, floating, fishing and more. Got a favorite riverwalk or riverside trail? We want to hear about it. What about your favorite river for canoe or kayak camping? We want to hear about that, too.
And hey, it’s not lost on us that at least one of our rivers has caught on fire and others have been buried or dammed up. So we’d also like to celebrate the river that you deem “most improved.”
There are seven categories, but we know that not everyone has an encyclopedic knowledge of Michigan’s rivers, so feel free to just nominate a river for a couple categories.
Submit your nominations by 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 19. We’ll circle back before the end of the month and let you vote on the top nominees.
Then, in late July, we’ll announce the winners.
Michigan’s beautiful, troubled rivers
Michigan has more than 76,000 miles of rivers, creeks and streams. They’re ideal places to fish, boat, snorkel and otherwise enjoy our state’s natural beauty, but many rivers are heavily polluted and the future of others is in question as dams age with limited oversight. This spring and summer, Bridge Michigan is exploring the troubles and opportunities of Michigan’s rivers. Catch up:
- Michigan agencies, outside groups question Consumers dam sale plan
- Consumers warns Michigan: Dams could be torn down unless utility sells them
- 5 things to know as Michigan regulators try again on dam safety reforms
- Michigan hunting and fishing regulator votes to oppose dam sale
- Consumers seeks to delay millions in flood control upgrades as it pursues dam sales
- Consumers Energy’s sale plan would turn unprofitable dams into $270M payday
- As floodwaters rise, Michigan infrastructure on brink: Dams need $1B in repairs
- Michigan’s latest dam safety crisis revives calls for reforms, funding
- Michigan lawmakers ponder dam safety reforms, but ask who will pay
- Michigan loves a ‘river story.’ But happy ending isn’t guaranteed
- Grand Rapids to ‘restore the rapids.’ But how will it keep out lamprey?
- There are 300 named Michigan rivers. Which ones deserve an award?
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