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Au Sable River (Michigan)

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Au Sable River
Beauais River, Rivière au sable
The Au Sable River in Alcona County
Map of the Au Sable River
Location
CountryUnited States
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationFrederic Township, Crawford County, Michigan
Mouth 
 • location
Lake Huron at Au Sable, Michigan
 • elevation
581 ft (177 m)[1]
Length138 miles (222 km)
TypeScenic
DesignatedOctober 4, 1984
View from bluffs of the Au Sable River in Iosco County, Michigan.
Additional view from bluffs of the Au Sable River in Iosco County, Michigan

The Au Sable River (/ɔː ˈsɑːbəl/ aw SAH-bəl) is a 138-mile-long (222 km)[2] river in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Rising in the Northern Lower Peninsula, the river flows in a generally southeasterly direction to its mouth at Lake Huron at the communities of Au Sable and Oscoda. Like the nearby Manistee River, it is regarded as a premier brown trout fishery east of the Rockies[3] and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has designated it a blue ribbon trout stream.[4] A map from 1795 located in the United States Gazetteer calls it the Beauais River.[5] In French, the river is called the Rivière au sable, literally "Sand River".

History

[edit]

Locals, including native Americans used the River for hunting, fishing and as an inland link for trapping, trading, and transiting between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. In the late 1800's, the river transported logs downstream to sawmills and shipping yards in the towns of AuGres and Oscoda. After logging, hydroelectric dams were built during the 1920's to generate power. Today, recreation is the most popular utilization of the river.[6]

Description

[edit]

The main stream of the river is formed at 44°48′21″N 84°45′29″W / 44.80583°N 84.75806°W / 44.80583; -84.75806 (Au Sable River (source))[1] in Frederic Township in Crawford County by the confluence of Kolke[7] and Bradford Creeks,[8] which both rise in Otsego County. The river flows south then turns east through Grayling, where it is joined by the East Branch Au Sable River at 44°39′55″N 84°42′13″W / 44.66528°N 84.70361°W / 44.66528; -84.70361 (East Branch Au Sable River (mouth)). The East Branch rises in Lovells Township, Crawford County at 44°49′46″N 84°35′59″W / 44.82944°N 84.59972°W / 44.82944; -84.59972 (East Branch Au Sable River (source)).[9]

The Au Sable continues eastward and is joined by the South Branch Au Sable River at 44°39′23″N 84°28′06″W / 44.65639°N 84.46833°W / 44.65639; -84.46833 (South Branch Au Sable River (mouth)) in South Branch Township. The South Branch rises out of Lake St. Helen in Richfield Township, Roscommon County at 44°22′54″N 84°26′38″W / 44.38167°N 84.44389°W / 44.38167; -84.44389 (South Branch Au Sable River (source))[10] and flows northwest into Roscommon then northeast to the main branch of the Au Sable. The North Branch Au Sable River joins within approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) in eastern Crawford County at 44°40′14″N 84°22′51″W / 44.67056°N 84.38083°W / 44.67056; -84.38083 (North Branch Au Sable River (mouth)) near the boundary with Oscoda County. The North Branch rises in Bagley Township, Otsego County, near Lake Otsego.[11]

The Au Sable 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-Manistee National Forest. 23 miles (37 km) 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. Five percent of the land in the watershed is National Forest and 29% is state forest.

Lumbering practices destroyed Arctic grayling breeding grounds in rivers and contributed to their slow decline and eventual disappearance from Northern Michigan.

Grayling

[edit]

The Grayling species of fish was once abundant in the Au Sable River, although the species has been extirpated in Michigan since 1936.[12][13] Brook trout were released into the river in the 1880s and proved stronger than the Grayling. There have been many attempts to bring the Grayling back to the area, but none have been successful. The city of Grayling, Michigan was named after the once plentiful fish. Brown trout is the current main catch.

Canoes along the Au Sable River
View from bluffs of the Au Sable River

Recreation

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Activities include paddle sports (kayaking and canoeing), fishing, primitive camping, backpacking and hiking. There are several "developed" campgrounds as well as primitive campgrounds. It is a designated trout stream, and many canoe liveries exist along the river, which offer paddling trips from a few hours to as long as a week. Impoundments of five of the six dams on the Au Sable create lakes that are used for power boating, water skiing and sail boating. In addition to brown, rainbow and brook trout in the river, there are perch, muskellunge and walleye, large and smallmouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the dam ponds. Salmon and steelhead trout are popular during spring and fall spawning migrations.

Holy waters

[edit]

The nine-mile section of the Au Sable River main branch from Burtons Landing to Wakeley Bridge is called the Holy Waters[14][15] due to the frequent insect hatches, abundance of trout, and ease of wading.[16] The section is regulated year-round as catch and release and limited to fly fishing only (no live bait). The river flows through scenic woodlands where the ecosystem supports dozens of species of birds and other wildlife including deer, rabbit, muskrat, otter, mink, fox, squirrel, chipmonk, skunk and turtle.[17]

Lodges

[edit]

For serious fly-fishing anglers, several locations offer accommodations on the Au Sable River.

WaWa Sum Lodge' at Whirlpool Road is owned and operated by Michigan State University as a research facility and conference center. The main lodge was constructed in 1922 and the property includes 251 Acres on the Au Sable. There are seven dorm style bedrooms, each with three or four single beds. You must bring your own bedding or sleeping bags and towels. Sleeping capacity is 28. A great room and fireplace is there for socializing as is a screened-in porch. A separate building has a dining room that seats 16 and kitchen facilities.[18]

AuSable Riverview Resort at McMasters Bridge has several options. The "Big Cabin" has 8 bedrooms that sleep up to 20 guests, a chef’s kitchen and game room, dry sauna and fire pit. The "Cottage" sleeps 10 and has two separate sleeping quarters that are connected by a kitchen/dining room with a large sliding door patio. Four smaller "Cabins" accommodate 2-4 persons.

Gates Au Sable Lodge, located at Stephan Bridge, has been a local landmark for more than 50 years catering to fly fishing. Their restaurant and Fly Shop is open to the public.[19] Professional fly fishermen offer instruction and guided fishing trips on all branches of the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers using the unique Au Sable riverboats and wading trips. A daily fishing report is produced for their guests that includes the current insect hatch status.

Organizations

[edit]
  • Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited is a chapter of Trout Unlimited which began in 1959 by 16 Michigan fishermen on the AuSable River.
  • Anglers of the Au Sable was founded in 1986 "to preserve, protect and enhance the AuSable River system for future generations of fly fishers." 1200 members
  • Au Sable River Property Owners Alliance was organized in the mid-1960s "To preserve, protect and enhance the Au Sable River watershed’s great natural endowments of wilderness scenery, unpolluted cold-water, and stable forest habitat for the enjoyment of future generations."
The Au Sable River Queen, the only paddlewheel river boat operating in northern Michigan

Average water temperature

[edit]
Average water temperature[20]
Month degrees Fahrenheit
January
37
February
36
March
36
April
36
May
37
June
43
July
52
August
61
September
59
October
48
November
43
December
39

River valley attractions and events

[edit]
Iargo Springs, Oscoda, Michigan
View of the Au Sable Siver Shoreline near Iargo Springs in Iosco County, MI.
The Au Sable Siver Shoreline near Iargo Springs in Iosco County, Michigan
  • The Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad is located in Fairview. It is a 1/4 scale, 16 in (406 mm) gauge ridable miniature railway, which offers rides on a passenger train through the scenic Northern Michigan landscape. It operates in jack pine country during the summer months. Riders travel through parts of the Huron National Forest and overlook the Comins Creek Valley.[21]
  • The Au Sable River Canoe Marathon starts in Grayling and ends in Oscoda 120 miles (190 km) down the river. It is one of three annual marathon races that constitute canoe racing's Triple Crown. The race begins at 9:00p.m. on the last Saturday in July 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.[22]
  • First Dam Canoe Race (MCRA - Canoe Race) is a yearly event.[23]
  • The Au Sable River Queen is a paddle boat that offers river excursions six miles west of Oscoda on the River Road Scenic Byway.[24]
  • Within this area is Kirtland's warbler habitat, established to bring the songbird back from near extinction.
  • The Lumberman's Monument is adjacent to the river, about 15 miles (24 km) west of Oscoda. The 14-foot bronze monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop since 1932. Lumbering along the river began in the 1860s and was finished by the 1910s.[25]
  • River Road, on the north bank and running parallel to the river, is a designated National Scenic Byway for the 23 miles that go into Oscoda.[26]
  • There are six dams and hydro-electric plants in the basin of the Au Sable, with a total capacity of 41MW and an average annual output of 500 GJ. The six facilities were constructed between 1911 and 1924.[27]
  • The Grayling Fish Hatchery on the Au Sable was founded in 1914 by timber baron Rasmus Hanson with assistance from Henry & Edsel Ford. Although unsuccessful in restoring the grayling, the hatchery raised and released millions of rainbow and brown trout. The State of Michigan purchased it in 1926, then the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, finally to the non-profit Grayling Hatchery Incorporated in 2017.[28]
  • Canoer's Memorial: The inscription on the memorial says "The crossed paddles are a canoeist’s salute. These paddles are erected as a tribute to those professional members of the Michigan Canoe Racing Association who were once active in the promotion and participation of canoe racing in Michigan.  As you view the waters of the AuSable or watch canoes racing on our Michigan streams, remember these departed members and their dedication to the sport of canoe racing.” The first casualty happened in 1953 claiming the life of 17-year-old Jerry Curley. The Curley family spearheaded the efforts to erect the monument, and it is now maintained by Oscoda Township on U.S. Forest Service property.[29]
  • The Wolf Creek Trail system is a beautiful trail and boardwalk along the Au Sable River and around Wolf Creek. This trail does not have any mandatory fees for use making it free for everyone. The non-motorized trail is open to all hikers, mountain bikers, cross country skiers, snowshoers, with loops designed as long as 4.2 miles and as short as 1.8 miles. The Wolf Creek Trail, part of the Huron National Forest, has four separate loops with a total of 4.8 miles of walking paths with 3 of these miles running adjacent to the Au Sable River. This trail system is a popular hiking, walking, and cross-country skiing spot for locals and tourists alike. Many hikers will use the main trailhead at the bustling Department of Natural Resources canoe launch and park, right off of M-72/33 on the east side of the bridge that crosses the Au Sable River. The park also has toilets, picnic tables, grills, a source for drinking water, and plenty of parking. Most cross-country skiers will use the trailhead off of South River Road approximately 2 miles east of Mio. Skiers will encounter a few downhill slopes, but nothing too difficult, making for an overall easy ski trail.[30]
  • Iargo Springs are natural springs near Oscoda that flow for nearly 1000 feet to the Au Sable River. Boardwalks provide scenic views of waterfalls and ponds.
  • The River Road National Scenic Byway runs 23+1⁄2-mile-long (37.8 km) parallel to the Au Sable River.
River Road Scenic Byway - Highbanks Sand Dune

Drainage basin

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The Au Sable has a drainage basin of 1,932 square miles (5,000 km2)[31] and an average flow of 1,100 ft3/s (31 m3/s) at its mouth.[32] The river drops 650 feet (200 m) from its source at the junction of the Bradford and Kolka Creeks[32] and drains land in the following counties:[33]

   

Towns along river

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River dams

[edit]
The Five Channels Dam viewed from M-65

Ordered from upriver to downriver, all belonging to the power company Consumers Energy:[27]

  1. Mio Dam
  2. Alcona Dam
  3. Loud Dam
  4. Five Channels Dam
  5. Cooke Dam
  6. Foote Dam


Historical markers

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The River That Changed the World exhibit, on the Au Sable River, at the Michigan History Museum

The river has five historical markers on it:

  • Cooke Hydroelectric Plant
  • Five Channels Dam Workers Camp
  • The Louis Chevalier Claim
  • Mio Hydroelectric Plant[34]
  • Chief Shoppenagon

River access

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A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for motor vehicles to access state parks, recreation areas, boating access, campgrounds and trails. Parks and recreation areas are mostly self-supporting, and the Recreation Passport is separate from camping, lodging, harbor and shelter fees.[35]

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources maintains over 20 Public Access Sites on the Au Sable River for fishing and boating egress and ingress. Many have vault toilets and Hand pumps for potable water. Some allow camping but all require a current Recreation Passport.[36]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
List of Public Access and Camping locations
Name
Paddling (hours)
from Grayling
Miles
from Grayling
 GPS Coord
Camping
Restrooms
Potable water
Recreation Pass-
port required
Grayling Public Access 0:00 0.0 44°39′35″N 84°42′41″W / 44.6597°N 84.7115°W / 44.6597; -84.7115 Y Y
AuSable River State Forest Campground and Canoe Camp 2:00 7.0 44°39′56″N 84°39′17″W / 44.6656°N 84.6547°W / 44.6656; -84.6547 Y Y Y Y
Burtons Landing 2:30 8.0 44°39′45″N 84°38′50″W / 44.6625°N 84.6472°W / 44.6625; -84.6472 Y Y Y Y
Louies Landing 2:45 44°39′55″N 84°38′15″W / 44.6654°N 84.6375°W / 44.6654; -84.6375 Y
Keystone Landing 3:00 44°39′54″N 84°37′31″W / 44.6650°N 84.6252°W / 44.6650; -84.6252 Y Y Y
Thendara Road 3:30 11.0 44°40′10″N 84°36′24″W / 44.6695°N 84.6067°W / 44.6695; -84.6067 Y
Whirlpool Angler Access 3:45 12.0 44°40′00″N 84°37′01″W / 44.6667°N 84.6170°W / 44.6667; -84.6170 Y
Stephan Landing 4:00 13.0 44°40′44″N 84°34′24″W / 44.6788°N 84.5734°W / 44.6788; -84.5734 Y Y
Wakeley Landing 5:30 18.0 44°39′28″N 84°30′27″W / 44.6579°N 84.5074°W / 44.6579; -84.5074 Y
White Pine Campground (no vehicles) 6:30 44°39′24″N 84°28′31″W / 44.6566°N 84.4754°W / 44.6566; -84.4754 Y Y Y Y
Conners Flats Access 7:00 44°40′07″N 84°26′20″W / 44.6687°N 84.4389°W / 44.6687; -84.4389 Y Y
Rainbow Bend State Forest 7:30 44°40′14″N 84°25′07″W / 44.6705°N 84.4185°W / 44.6705; -84.4185 Y Y Y Y
McMaster Bridge Landing 8:30 26.0 44°39′53″N 84°23′49″W / 44.6648°N 84.3969°W / 44.6648; -84.3969 Y Y
Parmalee Bridge Landing and State Forest 11:00 36.0 44°40′39″N 84°17′33″W / 44.6774°N 84.2926°W / 44.6774; -84.2926 Y Y Y Y
Camp 10 Bridge Landing 15:00 46.0 44°40′08″N 84°11′14″W / 44.6690°N 84.1871°W / 44.6690; -84.1871 Y
Mio Dam landing and State Forest 17:00 49.0 44°39′48″N 84°08′45″W / 44.6633°N 84.1458°W / 44.6633; -84.1458 Y Y Y Y
Pine Acres Campground & Cabins Boat Launch 44°27′17″N 83°40′15″W / 44.4548°N 83.6707°W / 44.4548; -83.6707 Y Y Y Y
Rollways Campground and Picnic Area 44°27′41″N 83°46′24″W / 44.4614°N 83.7733°W / 44.4614; -83.7733 Y Y Y Y
Thompsons Landing 44°30′04″N 83°48′16″W / 44.5012°N 83.8044°W / 44.5012; -83.8044 Y Y
Sawmill Point recreation area 44°27′28″N 83°36′29″W / 44.4577°N 83.6080°W / 44.4577; -83.6080 Y Y
Au Sable River Primitive Camping 4001 Bridge to Oscoda 102 SF campsites Y Y

Bridges

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List of Bridge Crossings
Route Type Municipality County Location
M-72 Au Sable River Bridge City Street Grayling Crawford 44°39′35″N 84°42′44″W / 44.65972°N 84.71222°W / 44.65972; -84.71222
Stephan Bridge Stephan Bridge County Road Grayling Township 44°40′45″N 84°34′38″W / 44.6793°N 84.5773°W / 44.6793; -84.5773
Wakeley Bridge Wakeley Bridge County Road
McMasters Bridge McMasters Bridge County Road Luzerne Oscoda
Parmalee Bridge Parmalee Bridge County Road
Camp 10 Bridge County Road 609 Big Creek Township
M-33 Mio Dam Michigan Highway 44°39′40″N 84°07′54″W / 44.6611°N 84.1317°W / 44.6611; -84.1317
McKinley Bridge Evans County Road Mentor Township
Federal Route 4001 Federal Road Mitchell Township Alcona
Alcona Dam Bamfield County Road Curtis Township 44°33′43″N 83°48′16″W / 44.5619°N 83.8044°W / 44.5619; -83.8044
Loud Dam Loud Dam County Road Oscoda Township Iosco 44°27′49″N 83°43′20″W / 44.4635°N 83.7222°W / 44.4635; -83.7222
M-65 Five Channels Dam Michigan Highway 44°27′19″N 83°40′36″W / 44.4553°N 83.6766°W / 44.4553; -83.6766
Cooke Dam Rea County Road 44°28′22″N 83°34′18″W / 44.4727°N 83.5717°W / 44.4727; -83.5717
Foote Dam West River County Road 44°26′07″N 83°26′26″W / 44.4353°N 83.4406°W / 44.4353; -83.4406
East Mill Street City Street Oscoda
US 23 Huron Road U.S. Highway

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Au Sable River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, accessed November 7, 2011
  3. ^ Card, James (January 24, 2017). "In Michigan, a Fight Over the Future of a Fabled Trout River". The New York Times. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  4. ^ "Blue Ribbon Trout Streams".
  5. ^ "Au Sable River Natural River Plan" (PDF). July 1987. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  6. ^ "Au Sable River". rivers.gov. National Wife and Scenic Rivers System. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  7. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kolke Creek
  8. ^ "Bradford Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  9. ^ "East Branch Au Sable River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  10. ^ "South Branch Au Sable River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  11. ^ "North Branch Au Sable River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  12. ^ "Michigan Grayling Only a Memory". Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
  13. ^ Goble, C. W.; Auer, N. A.; Huckins, C. J.; Danhoff, B. M.; Holtgren, J. M.; Ogren, S. A. (2018). "Fish Distributions and Habitat Associations in Manistee River, Michigan, Tributaries: Implications for Arctic Grayling Restoration". North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 38 (2): 469–486. doi:10.1002/nafm.10049.
  14. ^ "Borchers Outfitters". canoeborchers.com. Borchers AuSable Canoe Livery & Bed and Breakfast. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  15. ^ "The Rivers". Oldausable.com. Old Au Sable Fly Shop. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  16. ^ Zapoli, Julie. "Holy Water". anglersjournal.com. Active Interest Media. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  17. ^ "AuSable River". grayling-mi.com. Grayling Visitors Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  18. ^ "Wa Wa Sum 2025 – annual membership gathering". swmtu.org. Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  19. ^ "Anglers of the Au Sable". ausableanglers.org. Anglers of the Au Sable. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  20. ^ "Au Sable Point Water Temperature". surf-forecast.com. Snow-Forecast.com. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  21. ^ "MAVRR". mavrailroad.com.
  22. ^ "AuSable River Canoe Marathon". ausablecanoemarathon.org. ARICM, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  23. ^ "Mio Race Info". www.miracing.com.
  24. ^ "Au Sable River Queen". Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
  25. ^ “Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center.” Huron-Manistee National Forests - Lumberman3As Monument Visitor Center, www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recarea/?recid=18538
  26. ^ "River Road Scenic Byway at America's Byways". Archived from the original on February 3, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  27. ^ a b "AuSable River Tour". Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  28. ^ "Spawning an Origin". graylingfishhatchery.org. Grayling Fish Hatchery. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  29. ^ “Canoer's Memorial Monument.” AuSable River Canoe Marathon, www.ausablecanoemarathon.org/race-history-items/canoers-memorial-monument/
  30. ^ "Wolf Creek Trail". Michigan Trail Maps.
  31. ^ Au Sable River, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  32. ^ a b Au Sable River Natural River Plan, Fisheries Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  33. ^ "The Au Sable River Watershed". River Restoration in Northern Michigan. Northern Michigan Streams. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  34. ^ "Mio electric Plant historical marker". Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
  35. ^ "Recreation Passport". michigan.gov. State of Michigan. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  36. ^ "Au Sable River At Stephan Bridge Public Access Site" (PDF). michigandnr.com. State of Michigan. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
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