An annual event since 2003, Kanoe the Kazoo and its many hosts work together to offer guided paddle trips along the Kalamazoo River, tributary streams, and local inland lakes to area citizens. Our mission is to introduce residents and visitors to the beauty and recreational opportunities in our own backyard. This year we are excited to announce many fun and unique paddle trips from June – September.
Check out the roster below for specific information on each paddle trip. Grab your kayak or canoe and join us on the river this summer! (Rentals available for select trips, see full details below). All trips include Kanoe the Kazoo swag (i.e., sunglasses and stickers) and some instruction on local ecology or pollution issues facing the community.
2019 KANOE THE KAZOO Schedule
Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) and the Four Townships Water Resources Council (FTWRC) invite you to a paddle on Three Lakes in Richland. The outing will begin and end on Middle Lake Road off of North 35th Street. This informative trip will be guided by Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff, SWMLC and FTWRC members.
DATE: Saturday, June 8, 2019
CHECK-IN TIME: 8 AM
START LOCATION: Middle Lake Road off of N. 35th Street (get directions);
END LOCATION: Middle Lake Road off of N. 35th Street
TRIP LENGTH:
HOST: Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, Four Townships Water Resources Council
CONTACT: Hilary Hunt, SWMLC, hilary@swmlc.org or Kenny Kornheiser, FTWRC, ftwrc@aol.com
RENTALS AVAIL?: Yes, $25/single kayak, flotation device and paddle. Click here for online rental.
COST: FREE to participate if bringing your own boat;
OTHER INFO: A speaker will update paddlers on the natural resources in the area.
REGISTER: https://swmlc.org/paddle-the-three-lakes/
The Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Kieser & Associates and Fort Custer Outfitters invite you to a paddle around beautiful Eagle Lake in the Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Guests will learn about the Fort Custer Lakes Enhancement Project and the use of biocontrols to manage aquatic invasive species and what you can do to prevent the spread of invasives. Then enjoy a leisurely paddle around the lake.
DATE: Tuesday, June 18
CHECK-IN TIME: 5:30 PM
START LOCATION: Eagle Lake beach parking area ( get directions)
END LOCATION: Same as start location
TRIP LENGTH: Launch at 6:30 PM, 1 hour paddle
HOST: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Kieser & Associates, Fort Custer Outfitters
CONTACT: Patty at the KRWC, (269) 447-1580 or krwc@kalamazooriver.org
RENTALS AVAIL?: Yes, FREE
COST: FREE to participate if bringing your own boat; FREE rentals -must register in advance
OTHER INFO: A speaker will update us on the Fort Custer Lakes Enhancement Project and the use of biocontrols for invasive species management.
REGISTER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-ZO33ROTh9LmNpmzb5NSfIiRlgk5C1Ixsixig9qnx-I/edit
Join the Albion College Whitehouse Nature Center for a float on the Kalamazoo River in Albion. As part of this trip, you’ll get to learn about the restoration of wild rice in the river near the Whitehouse Nature Center.
DATE: Saturday, July 13
CHECK-IN TIME: 9 AM
START LOCATION: Kalamazoo River at Bath Mills Road ( get directions)
END LOCATION: Kalamazoo River at Hannah Street
TRIP LENGTH: 1.5 hours
HOST: Albion College Whitehouse Nature Area
CONTACT: Ellen at (517) 812-4406 or ewilch@albion.edu
RENTAL AVAIL?: No
COST: Free
OTHER INFO: Shuttle provided
REGISTER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15S1ouk6eQVeXfZgxUs7lzCvHxV3McY-3p8p1G9WKOks/edit
The City of Marshall/Marshall Area Conservation Committee and the City of Battle Creek/Clean Water Partners would like to invite you to paddle the Kalamazoo River from Ceresco Green to Paddlers Grove, with a lunch break midway at Historic Bridges Park.
DATE: Saturday, August 10
CHECK-IN TIME: 8:30 AM
START LOCATION: Ceresco Green (get directions)
END LOCATION: Paddlers Grove, Battle Creek
TRIP LENGTH: 3.5 – 4 hours
CAR SPOTTING/SHUTTLE: YES
HOST: City of Marshall/Marshall Area Conservation Committee & City of Battle Creek/Clean Water Partners
CONTACT: Elizabeth at (269) 966-3355 or egpaul@battlecreekmi.gov
RENTAL AVAIL?: YES. FREE limited availability. Contact: Marshall Recreation Department at 269-781-3985
COST: Free
OTHER INFO: Limited to 75 participants
REGISTER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OnDJ5aOUNVbcLpgO71yk3YtF_9nhzes35nwU2mInPDE/edit
COME VISIT US WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE!…….
Please join WaterTrail Ventures for Kanoe the Kazoo in the beautiful and scenic Allegan State Game Area. This water trail is LOADED with wildlife and natural scenery. Our river trip will begin at 10:00 AM, Launching from Allegan Dam for a 3 hour float to Pipeline Landing. At this point you may choose to exit the river or continue on to New Richmond, approximately 4 hours down river. Bring a lunch to enjoy, bring the kids! This trip is good for all ages. Our trip takes you through the heart of the Allegan State Game Area, a beautiful and natural section of the Allegan County Heritage Trail and links to the Lake Michigan WaterTrail leading you through Saugatuck Harbor to Lake Michigan.
DATE: Saturday, August 24
CHECK-IN TIME: 10:00 AM
START LOCATION: Allegan Dam, Lower Boat Access (get directions)
END LOCATION: Pipeline Landing, Fennville (46th & 126th Streets)
TRIP LENGTH: 3+ hours
HOST: WaterTrail Ventures
CONTACT: Julie at (269) 547-1884 watertrailexplorer1@yahoo.com
RENTAL AVAIL?: Yes; $40/kayak, $50/canoe (3 people) w/50% of proceeds to support the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
COST: Free if bringing your own boat
OTHER INFO:
REGISTER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Gsy6A2g_zTKcUykymGXu0ACFhYWs2SJQ8b-euvOyBiY/edit
Join the City of Kalamazoo Public Services Division on a relaxing and scenic paddle through the winding waterways of the Kalamazoo River. On this guided paddle tour, participants will learn about the natural history of the Kalamazoo River, highlighting aquatic invasive species, local native species and the role they play in the river’s ecosystem.
City of Kalamazoo Public Services will have a table set up with information, free re-useable tote bags, and other giveaways. Please take a minute to stop by and check it out. Also, thanks to the City, participants will enjoy free light appetizers at the end and Arcadia Brewing will have a special drink deal at lunch for Kanoe the Kazoo participants 21 years and older ($1 off 20 oz. beers).
Note: Phone messages left on Friday may not be received before the Saturday event; consider sending an email, as well. krwc@kalamazooriver.org
DATE: Saturday, September 14
CHECK-IN TIME: No later than 8:30 AM
START LOCATION: Merrill Park, Comstock (get directions)
END LOCATION: Kalamazoo, Arcadia Brewing
TRIP LENGTH: 1.5 hours
CAR SPOTTING/SHUTTLE: After checking in, one driver from each party will drive (leaving @ 8:50 am) to the vehicle take-out point at Arcadia Brewing Co (701 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). Please park in the back of the lot or the east side of the building. A shuttle van will meet you at Arcadia and bring you back to Merrill Park in time for the 9:30 group launch.
CONTACT: Malissa at 269-337-8392 or drzickm@kalamazoocity.org
RENTAL AVAIL?: Call Lee’s Adventure Sports at: (269) 381-7700
COST: FREE (except for rentals)
OTHER INFO: Upon arrival, please check-in at the table under the picnic shelter (and receive your FREE T-shirt and swag). Unload boats and equipment and have a single driver ready to depart the park at 8:50 AM; see attached map. Enjoy some coffee and snacks while you wait to launch.
Register soon! Registration is limited to the first 40 spaces!
REGISTER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SYRLRQKQNFmmgoyCumcA0lBfi1_7G_SxY96hcDbdZ0o/edit
Join the Village of Bellevue, and the Cities of Charlotte and Olivet on a paddle down Indian Creek. Paddlers can expect to be on the river for around 3 hours.
DATE: Saturday, September 14
CHECK-IN TIME: 9:00 AM
START LOCATION: Shrontz Memorial Park, Olivet (get directions)
END LOCATION: Shrontz Memorial Park
TRIP LENGTH: 3 hours
CAR SPOTTING/SHUTTLE: TBD
CONTACT: Britani at (517) 543-8860 or bwisniewski@charlottemi.org OR Matt at (517) 231-2324 or mgriffith@charlottemi.org
RENTAL AVAIL?: TBD
COST: FREE (except for rentals)
OTHER INFO:
REGISTER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SYRLRQKQNFmmgoyCumcA0lBfi1_7G_SxY96hcDbdZ0o/edit
Stewardship
Join us on Saturday, October 5 and 12, 2019 for Krazy for the Kazoo, a series of river cleanup and conservation events. Each year volunteers come together at various locations throughout the watershed to clean up trash and debris, plant trees, and restore the environment. We need your help this year to keep our waterways clean! Visit the
Krazy for the Kazoo webpage for more details.
If you are looking for a way to give back to your follow paddlers or help protect the Kalamazoo River, consider a gift of time or money this year. For those who have lots of experience on the water, many of our paddle trip hosts could use extra help keeping an eye on paddlers at various Kanoe the Kazoo events.–>;
Kanoe the Kazoo is supported in part by our many paddle trip hosts, a few local sponsors, and the TMDL committee. This support allows us to offer most of the Kanoe the Kazoo paddle trips at no cost to participants. Consider giving a donation to the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council to support future Kanoe the Kazoo events. Become a River Giver and support important river programming and protection projects. Even a $5 donation per paddler is an important investment in the future of our local water resources.
Safety
At certain points and during certain times of the year the Kalamazoo River and its tributaries are prone to flood conditions. It is important to be aware of water conditions before you enter the river. You can search for the daily water conditions of the river at several locations on the
USGS National Water Information Website. Click the map to find water gauge stations along the Kalamazoo River and many rivers throughout Michigan. Each station will have current water level, along with average levels as a comparison. Typically river water levels are at their highest in the spring, although any large rain storm can cause water levels to rise rapidly in some areas of the river (and especially smaller tributary streams).
We want everyone to enjoy the Kalamazoo River and our inland water resources in a safe and fun way. It is important to remember you are in charge of your own safety when using the river. There are some important safety reminders in the documents below that we find helpful for individuals and groups looking to enjoy the pure Michigan waters of our state.
Basic “Paddle Safe” tips
Full “Paddle Safe” guidance
Host Resources
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires a Special Event Permit for any public event that is organized on inland lakes and rivers. The permit application must be submitted to DNR 30 days prior to your event. There is no fee to apply. This permit helps make agencies like the DNR aware of large groups on the water and is a good safety measure for our paddle events. Your event might require other permits from the DNR (e.g., if using DNR properties). A link to the DNR recreation permits website can be found below.
Download the DNR River-Use Permit application:
Marine Special Event Application & Permit
Download other DNR permits:
DNR Permits Website
All Kanoe the Kazoo paddle hosts should have each participant sign a liability waiver as part of check-in the day of the event. A parent or legal guardian should sign a form for any minors under their supervision. Download and customize a liability waiver template for your paddle:
Liability Waiver Template
This year we are hoping to collect information after each paddle event on the number of participants, feedback, and future recommendations. All paddle hosts should fill out a post-paddle evaluation form after each paddle event.
Go to the Post-Paddle Evaluation Form
You can also report your participation and post event photos on our facebook page during and after the paddle event.
Visit the Kanoe the Kazoo facebook page.
Help advertise your paddle with Kanoe the Kazoo posters and brochures. We have both digital and paper copies available.
Contact Patty for brochures, posters, and giveaways (269-447-1580 or krwc@KalamazooRiver.org).
Kanoe the Kazoo is supported by many local governments, nonprofits, and conservation organizations that have been working for almost 20 years on reducing pollution to our waterways. Please consider recognizing their efforts and support of Kanoe the Kazoo at your event.
Download the “script” to use at your paddle eventSupporters
Kanoe the Kazoo hosts and supporters provide many resources and volunteer hours to make Kanoe the Kazoo successful each year. A special thanks to our 2019 supporters:
- Lake Allegan/Kalamazoo River TMDL Committee and Signatories
- Battle Creek Clean Water Partners
- City of Battle Creek
- City of Bellevue
- City of Charlotte
- City of Kalamazoo
- City of Marshall
- City of Olivet
- Fort Custer Outfitters/Trailspotters
- Four Township Water Resources Council
- Kalamazoo River Cleanup Coalition
- Kalamazoo River Community Recreational Foundation
- Kieser & Associates
- Marshall Area Conservation Committee
- Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality
- Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy
- WaterTrail Ventures
- Arcadia Ales
Check out other KRWC-related events or chart your own trip down the Kalamazoo River!
An annual event since 2003, Kanoe the Kazoo and its many hosts work together to offer guided paddle trips along the Kalamazoo River, tributary streams, and local inland lakes to area citizens. Our mission is to introduce residents and visitors to the beauty and recreational opportunities in our own backyard. This year we are excited to announce many fun and unique paddle trips from June – September.