2023 is the 20th Anniversary of Kanoe the Kazoo!!
The first official Kanoe the Kazoo event took place in 2003 – which makes this the 20th year of helping people to learn about and engage with this amazing southwest Michigan resource through Kanoe the Kazoo events. It’s time to celebrate! There will be a number of different paddle trips this summer taking place in different parts of the watershed. Each trip is unique and you can participate in as many as you like. We are busy planning events for 2023, so please SCROLL DOWN 🙂 and watch our KRWC social media pages for more information.
August 19, 2023 – SAVE THE DATE!
Kanoe the Kazoo 20th Anniversary Paddle and Dinner Event, Kalamazoo River at New Richmond
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council and WaterTrail Ventures, LLC
Contact: Doug McLaughlin (KRWC, 269-350-6158, krwc@kalamazooriver.org) and Julie Hulsey (WaterTrail Ventures, (269) 547-1884, watertrailexplorer1@yahoo.com)
More details coming soon.
Event Description
While the details are still being worked out, we know that we will paddle from the M-89 Boat Launch, 12 miles upstream of New Richmond, to WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite Landing in New Richmond during the afternoon. This is a 4-5 hour trip for the casual paddler, so we’ll be on the water by 11am. Across the street from WTV is The Chapel, where we will host an evening celebration outdoors under the big top with catered food, beer, wine, and live music. Don’t miss the opportunity to attend this event and celebrate the beauty and resilience of the Kalamazoo River!
Check back here to register for this event.
Full Calendar of Paddle Events for 2023 (more details to come)
This year’s events are supported by:
Signatories to the Lake Allegan/Kalamazoo River Total Maximum Daily Load Program, including the City of Kalamazoo, and the City of Battle Creek
Bell’s Brewery
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Whitehouse Nature Center
Water Trail Ventures, LLC
Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact Doug at krwc@kalamazooriver.org or the other contacts listed below with any questions.
June 17, 2023
Paddle the Kalamazoo River from Marshall to Ceresco
Host: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact: Doug McLaughlin (KRWC, 269-350-6158, krwc@kalamazooriver.org)
Event Description: Paddle from Marshall to Ceresco Green Park (about 2.5 hours) past Talmadge Creek (site of the Enbridge oil spill), shoreline adjacent to the Marshall Megasite, and the restored shoreline, riffles, and other features following removal of the Ceresco Dam. We will meet and park vehicles at the Marshall Public Services Building (900 S. Marshall Ave., Marshall, MI) and take out at Ceresco Green Park. Note that there is a large hill to walk up (carrying boats) at Ceresco Green Park to get from the river to the street. We will provide transportation for people and boats back to the Marshall Public Services Building where a box lunch will be waiting for registered participants. This trip is limited to 30 participants. Depending on interest, a second trip may be planned for later in the year.
What You Get: Paddle trip coordination, river experience and learning, morning coffee, lunch, parking, t-shirt, shuttle/transportation back to vehicle – all free!
What To Bring: water, sunscreen, hat, personal flotation device
Canoe/kayak rental option: Contact the Marshall Recreation Department (269-781-5166). Kayak is $25, Canoe is $35
Check-in Location: Marshall Public Services Building (900 S. Marshall Ave., Marshall, MI)
Check-In Time: 8:30am to 9:15am
Launch/Start Paddling: 9:30am
Finish Paddling: 12pm
Take shuttle bus back to Marshall Public Services Building for lunch and conclusion of trip: shuttle departures at 12pm, 12:30pm
Lunch Time and Location: 12:15pm to 1:15pm served outside at Marshall Public Services Building location
Event concludes: 1:30pm
Register for this event here.
You can click through a virtual tour of this route paddled on May 6, 2023 here.
June 24, 2023
Paddle the North Branch Kalamazoo River from King Road to the White House Nature Center in Albion
Hosts: Whitehouse Nature Center
Contact: Monica Day (Whitehouse Nature Center, mday@albion.edu)
Event Description: A morning paddle in part of the Kalamazoo River headwaters. Pack a lunch. More details coming soon.
June 24, 2023
In-river Cleanup (Experienced Paddlers Only) on the Kalamazoo River from Merrill Park to Mayor’s Riverfront Park
Hosts: City of Kalamazoo
Contact: Malissa Drzick (City of Kalamazoo, mdrzick@kalamazoocity.org)
Event Description: Cleaning up the shoreline while paddling along several miles of river. More details coming soon.
July 8, 2023
Paddle the Battle Creek River
Hosts: City of Battle Creek
Contact: Bessie Stears (City of Battle Creek, bestears@battlecreekmi.gov)
Event Description: A paddling experience focused on families and youth in Battle Creek. More details coming soon.
July 22, 2023
Bike Up and Paddle Down Along the Kalamazoo River from Kalamazoo to D Avenue
Hosts: Kalamazoo Nature Center, Open Roads, Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact: Jenny Doezema (jdoezema@naturecenter.org), Isaac Green (director@openroadsbike.org), Doug McLaughlin (krwc@kalamazooriver.org)
Event Description: Bike along the Kalamazoo River from the Kalamazoo Nature Center to the City of Kalamazoo, then paddle back to the KNC for lunch and complete the trip to D Avenue. More details coming soon.
July 22, 2023
In-river Cleanup (Experienced Paddlers Only) on the Kalamazoo River from Mayor’s Riverfront Park to Gull Road
Hosts: City of Kalamazoo
Contact: Malissa Drzick (City of Kalamazoo, mdrzick@kalamazoocity.org)
Event Description: Cleaning up the shoreline while paddling along several miles of river. More details coming soon.
July 29, 2023
Paddle the Oxbow Lagoon in Saugatuck
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact: Doug McLaughlin (KRWC, 269-350-6158, krwc@kalamazooriver.org)
Event Description: A morning paddle to this unique part of the Kalamazoo River near the mouth at Lake Michigan. More details coming soon.
August 5, 2023
In-river Cleanup (Experienced Paddlers Only) on the Kalamazoo River
Hosts: City of Kalamazoo
Contact: Malissa Drzick (City of Kalamazoo, mdrzick@kalamazoocity.org)
Event Description: Cleaning up the shoreline while paddling along several miles of river. More details coming soon. More details coming soon.
August 5, 2023
Paddle the North Branch Kalamazoo River from King Road to the White House Nature Center in Albion
Hosts: Whitehouse Nature Center
Contact: Monica Day (Whitehouse Nature Center, mday@albion.edu)
Event Description: A morning paddle. Pack a lunch. More details coming soon.
August 19, 2023
Kanoe the Kazoo 20th Anniversary Paddle and Dinner Event, Kalamazoo River at New Richmond
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council and WaterTrail Ventures, LLC
Contact: Doug McLaughlin (KRWC, 269-350-6158, krwc@kalamazooriver.org) and Julie Hulsey (WaterTrail Ventures, (269) 547-1884, watertrailexplorer1@yahoo.com)
Event Description: Paddle from upstream of New Richmond to WaterTrail Ventures’ location in New Richmond during the afternoon. Walk across the street to The Chapel for an evening celebration outdoors under the big top with catered food, beer, wine, and live music. More details coming soon.
September 16, 2023
Paddle the Kalamazoo River from Kalamazoo to the KNC and then to Plainwell
Hosts: Kalamazoo Nature Center
Contact: Jenny Doezema (jdoezema@naturecenter.org)
Event Description: Paddle from Kalamazoo to the Kalamazoo Nature Center for a meal on the KNC Riverdeck and then complete the trip to Plainwell. More details coming soon.
September 16, 2023
Paddle the Kalamazoo River from Merrill Park to Mayor’s Riverfront Park
Hosts: City of Kalamazoo
Contact: Malissa Drzick (City of Kalamazoo, mdrzick@kalamazoocity.org)
Event Description: Experience nature in the city on this morning paddle trip along the middle portion of the Kalamazoo River. More details coming soon.