Next GREAT paddle is 12 Noon, Sunday June 9th. As the annual joint Dahlem Nature Center and GREAT trip, there will be a cookout picnic prior to the put-in, with food provided at no cost. Come early (11:15-30 AM) for shuttle to place your vehicle at the take-out. Call 517 416-4234 or grand@great-mi.org to reserve a canoe or kayak only if needed. Check web site for updates. Trip Attributes Map If not a member or wish to renew for 2013: on-line or mail in. As a 501 (c) (3), GREAT dues and donations are tax deductible. Membership information. For questions, call 517 416-4234 or grand@great-mi.org. Are you familiar with GREAT logo items available on-line?

GREAT Named Michigan Friend of Conservation for 2010 !
 


The mission of GREAT is to promote the protection and preservation of the Grand River Watershed through activities and educational programs.

Founded in 1990, the Grand River Environmental Action Team is a local 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of and restoration of the Upper Grand River Watershed in Jackson County of south central Michigan. Map

GREAT organizes clean-up activities & monthly public canoe outings to create environmental awareness.

Annual Report 2012

 

 

Grand River Reed Road Bridge, south of Jackson, February 2013

Current readings: Jackson Grand River Cubic Feet Discharge & Depth Gauges
Please note: The depth gauge needs to be under 10.5 feet for kayaks and under 10 feet for canoes to paddle under downtown Jackson railroad trestles. Higher readings also can make the river unsafe in many other locations.

The Upper Grand River Watershed is Special in Several Ways

  • At 260 miles, the Grand River is longest river in the State of Michigan and the second largest watershed.Map
  • The two branches of the Grand River begin at Grand Lake and Center Lake Chain (natural beginnings) in Jackson County and join east of Jackson dropping 467 feet to Grand Haven on Lake Michigan.
  • Headwaters of the Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Raisin Rivers are also close. They all flow west to Lake Michigan, except the Raisin which flows east to Lake Erie.
  • Jackson County sits on one of the largest aquifers in North America.
  • There are over 200 miles of river waterways to paddle and hundreds of small lakes.
  • Some of the largest remaining wetlands in lower Michigan are located in this watershed.
  • The potential in this area for river and lake recreation is enormous.

DNR Fisheries Division Special Report Grand River Assessment (2011)

Upper Grand River Implementation Project
GREAT has been a partner with the Jackson County Conservation District with grants received from the federal government for the Upper Grand River Implementation Project, which have recently expired (12/31/12. New sources of funding are being explored.

Adopt A Stream 2013 Spring Monitoring Dates:
Stream Collection, Saturday, 5/11/2013 Details

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