Au Sable River (Michigan): Difference between revisions
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The Au Sable River in [[Michigan]] runs approximately 140 miles through the northern [[Lower Peninsula of Michigan|lower peninsula]], through the towns of [[Grayling, Michigan|Grayling]], and [[Mio, Michigan|Mio]] and enters [[Lake Huron]] at [[Oscoda, Michigan|Oscoda]]. |
The Au Sable River in [[Michigan]] runs approximately 140 miles (225 km) through the northern [[Lower Peninsula of Michigan|lower peninsula]], through the towns of [[Grayling, Michigan|Grayling]], and [[Mio, Michigan|Mio]] and enters [[Lake Huron]] at [[Oscoda, Michigan|Oscoda]]. It is considered one of the best [[brown trout]] fisheries east of the [[Rocky Mountains|Rockies]]. A 1795 map calls it the Beauais River. |
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It has a drainage basin of 1932 square miles ([[1 E9 m²|5000 square km]]) and an average flow of 1500 ft³/s (42.5 m³/s) at its mouth. The rivers drops 670 feet (200 m) from its source at the junction of Kolka and Bradford Creeks. |
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| ⚫ | The main branch of the river is formed near the border between [[Crawford County, Michigan|Crawford County]] and [[Oscoda County, Michigan|Oscoda County]] where several |
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| ⚫ | The main branch of the river is formed near the border between [[Crawford County, Michigan|Crawford County]] and [[Oscoda County, Michigan|Oscoda County]] where several branches come together. The North Branch headwaters arise in southeast [[Otsego County, Michigan|Otsego County]] and flow south through Crawford County to merge with the main branch of the river. The Middle Branch headwaters arise in southwest Ostego County and flow south through Crawford County and Grayling. The South Branch headwaters arise in northeast [[Roscommon County, Michigan|Roscommon County]] and flow west through the town of [[Roscommon, Michigan|Roscommon]] and then north and east to merge with the Middle Branch in Crawford County. The main branch then flows mostly east through Oscoda County, then south and east through [[Alcona County, Michigan|Alcona County]] and Iosco County. The river's watershed also drains portions of [[Montmorency County, Michigan|Montmorency County]] and [[Ogemaw County, Michigan|Ogemaw County]]. |
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| ⚫ | Most of the main branch of the Au Sable flows through or adjacent to the [[Huron National Forest]]. Twenty three miles of the river, from the Mio Pond downstream to the Alcona Pond, was designated as a [[National Wild and Scenic River]] on [[October 4]], [[1984]]. The watershed provides habitat for [[bald eagle]]s and the endangered [[Kirtland's warbler]]. 5% of the land in the watershed is National Forest and 29% is state forest. |
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| ⚫ | It is a designated trout stream and many [[canoe]] liveries exists along the river, which offer canoe trips from a few hours to as long as a week. |
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| ⚫ | It is a designated trout stream and many [[canoe]] liveries exists along the river, which offer canoe trips from a few hours to as long as a week. The river was originally a [[grayling]] fishery with [[brook trout]] being released in the 1880's. By 1908 the grayling were gone although the were reintroduced in 1987. Brown trout is the current main catch. The Lumberman's Monument, in honor of the lumberjacks that first populated the area, is located on the river about fifteen miles west of Oscoda. Lumbering along the river began in the [[1860's]] and was finished by the [[1910's]]. |
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The Au Sable River is also the site of a yearly 120-mile pro-am canoe race, the Au Sable Canoe Marathon, which begins at 9:00 PM 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. |
The Au Sable River is also the site of a yearly 120-mile pro-am canoe race, the Au Sable Canoe Marathon, which begins at 9:00 PM 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. |
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There are six [[hydropower|hydro-electric power plants]] in the Au Sable River basin, with a total installed capacity of 41,000 kilowatts and an average annual energy output of 139,000 MWH. The six reservoirs were constructed between [[1911]] and [[1924]]. |
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The Au Sable has about 350 miles of tributary streams including the [[Pine River (Michigan)|Pine River]]. |
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Towns along river: |
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*[[Arbutus Beach, Michigan]] |
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*[[Au Sable, Michigan]] |
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*[[Gaylord, Michigan]] |
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*[[Lewiston, Michigan]] |
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*[[Lovells, Michigan]] |
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*[[Mio, Michigan]] |
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*[[Oscoda, Michigan]] |
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*[[Roscommon, Michigan]] |
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==External Link== |
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*[http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/spatialdatalibrary/pdf_maps/natural_rivers/au_sable.pdf Map of Au Sable River watershed] |
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Revision as of 17:09, 10 March 2004
The Au Sable River is the name of at least two rivers in the United States.
The Au Sable River in New York state runs from the Adirondack Mountains and flows past the town of Lake Placid. It is known for its trout fishing.
The Au Sable River in Michigan runs approximately 140 miles (225 km) through the northern lower peninsula, through the towns of Grayling, and Mio and enters Lake Huron at Oscoda. It is considered one of the best brown trout fisheries east of the Rockies. A 1795 map calls it the Beauais River.
It has a drainage basin of 1932 square miles (5000 square km) and an average flow of 1500 ft³/s (42.5 m³/s) at its mouth. The rivers drops 670 feet (200 m) from its source at the junction of Kolka and Bradford Creeks.
The main branch of the river is formed near the border between Crawford County and Oscoda County where several branches come together. The North Branch headwaters arise in southeast Otsego County and flow south through Crawford County to merge with the main branch of the river. The Middle Branch headwaters arise in southwest Ostego County and flow south through Crawford County and Grayling. The South Branch headwaters arise in northeast Roscommon County and flow west through the town of Roscommon and then north and east to merge with the Middle Branch in Crawford County. The main branch then flows mostly east through Oscoda County, then south and east through Alcona County and Iosco County. The river's watershed also drains portions of Montmorency County and Ogemaw County.
Most of the main branch of the Au Sable flows through or adjacent to the Huron National Forest. Twenty three miles of the river, from the Mio Pond downstream to the Alcona Pond, was designated as a National Wild and Scenic River on October 4, 1984. The watershed provides habitat for bald eagles and the endangered Kirtland's warbler. 5% of the land in the watershed is National Forest and 29% is state forest.
It is a designated trout stream and many canoe liveries exists along the river, which offer canoe trips from a few hours to as long as a week. The river was originally a grayling fishery with brook trout being released in the 1880's. By 1908 the grayling were gone although the were reintroduced in 1987. Brown trout is the current main catch. The Lumberman's Monument, in honor of the lumberjacks that first populated the area, is located on the river about fifteen miles west of Oscoda. Lumbering along the river began in the 1860's and was finished by the 1910's.
The Au Sable River is also the site of a yearly 120-mile pro-am canoe race, the Au Sable Canoe Marathon, which begins at 9:00 PM 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.
There are six hydro-electric power plants in the Au Sable River basin, with a total installed capacity of 41,000 kilowatts and an average annual energy output of 139,000 MWH. The six reservoirs were constructed between 1911 and 1924.
The Au Sable has about 350 miles of tributary streams including the Pine River.
Towns along river:
- Arbutus Beach, Michigan
- Au Sable, Michigan
- Gaylord, Michigan
- Lewiston, Michigan
- Lovells, Michigan
- Mio, Michigan
- Oscoda, Michigan
- Roscommon, Michigan