Clinton

Ran Avon / Livernois to Yates Cider Mill, 8-3-13, upper gage @ 1.5, Getting shallow but still fun, 2 short portages. Ran it again 8-10-13 and 8-17-13. Upper Gage @ 1.2 Water very low. Had to pay attention to not drag bottom. Got better after Paint Creek.

Ran Ryan Rd / S. of 22 mile to Heritage Park, 8-24-13. 'Lower' Gage around 7.5 ft. Low and slow.

Ran Heritage Park to Clinton River Park (Clinton River Rd. & West of Schoener) 8-25-13, Lower Gage at 7.5, Very calm stretch. Look out for wood. 4 portages to Dodge park. 7 portages from Dodge to Clinton River park. Almost all portages were difficult with the steep banks. Luckily there is a paved bike/hike trail on the left side of the river for much of this section. Bring bug spray!!!

Here are the USGS links for gages and discharge.
Upper (Auburn Hills to Yates)
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mi/nwis/uv?site\_no=04161000&format=gif&period=31
Lower (past Yates)
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mi/nwis/uv/?site\_no=04161820&agency\_cd=USGS

Oliver Dixon III, 47, of Sterling Heights had a planned excursion Thursday June 13, 2013

Authorities said they believe they have found the body of a Sterling Heights kayaker who had been missing since a planned excursion Thursday in the Clinton River.

The body was discovered after a citizen located a kayak about 5 p.m. today that fit the description of the one used by Oliver Dixon III, 47. The kayak was in a logjam between the River Bends Park canoe launch and Heritage Park in Utica, Shelby Township police said.

Authorities found and recovered a male body near the blue and white kayak. Identification is pending, but the body is believed to be that of Dixon, police said.

The body was found east of Auburn Road, north of M-59 and south of 21 Mile Road.

No foul play is suspected at this time, Sgt. Robert Trupiano said.

The kayak and body were found in an area being searched by numerous law enforcement agencies.

Investigators did not know exactly where Dixon planned to kayak. They suspected his trip was to originate at the River Bends Park boat launch on Ryan south of 22 Mile in Shelby Township and continue downriver to Heritage Park on Van Dyke south of Hall Road, Sgt. Scott Trumbo said Sunday.

“His car was parked at the boat launch and his bike was found at Heritage Park,” Trumbo said.

Investigators were called to Dixon’s abandoned car at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Trumbo said the picture issued by the police department was taken by Dixon of himself at Heritage Park and posted to Facebook at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. No one had heard from him since.

Two Shelby Township firefighters kayaked a stretch of the river Saturday but did not see any sign of Dixon or the kayak. The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office searched the area by boat and plane.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Shelby Township Police Department at 586-731-2121, ext. 3.

Just after put-in

Surfing Voodoo rapid

This stretch actually runs thru Rochester(Hills) mi. We use the Auburn Hills Gauge for flow readings. 1.3 is min. ( Aprx 70 cfs.) Above 3.0 (Aprx 500cfs) is considered flood stage. This gives the most accurate levels for the stretch. Its some distance above the other gauge. One of the best rivers in SE Michigan. Paint Creek being the other.

Voodoo rapid

Rochester rapid

Rochester rapid

This is only ran when water is low. Be extremly careful at any low head dam.