The Grand River Expedition 2020 - Fred E. Cowles, P.E. President, Middle Grand River Organization of Watersheds
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The Grand River
Expedition 2020
Fred E. Cowles, P.E.
President, Middle Grand River
Organization of Watersheds
July 5 – 18, 2020 The Grand River Expedition 2020 has been postponed. The tentative dates are July 5 – 18, 2021
OK, but what IS Grand River Expedition 2020? It is a group of people paddling from the headwaters to Lake Michigan. OK, but why would someone do that?
To answer that we need to talk about Verlen Kruger
Verlen was a world renown canoeist from
Lansing Michigan
Ultimate Canoe Challenge
Two Continent Expedition
As Michigan’s population grew in the 19 th
century, so did industry and agriculture.
Lumbering was dominant.
The Grand River was described in 1889 as an
open sewer, “The channel was, as usual, covered
with a green odiferous scum, mixed with oil from
the gas works.” It only got worse through the first
half of the 20th century.
During the 20th century, the timber ran
out, but pollution continued.
The river and most of its tributaries were used to
convey municipal and industrial wastewater
discharges. These discharges often exceeded the
assimilative capacity of the receiving streams,
resulting in fish kills. The remaining fish
populations were dominated by pollution-
tolerant species such as common carp.
The 1960s and 70s saw water pollution
laws take effect.
The river had largely recovered by 1990 and some
people recognized the river as a major asset.
Communities began to invest in riverfront
development, recreation areas, parks and trails.The public’s perception of the river,
however, is slow to change.
Disparaging comments by citizens are common at when
asked about their view of water quality in the Grand. A
majority of people surveyed said water quality is the
same or getting worse.August 13, 1990 to August 25, 1990
Grand River Expedition ’90 produced a highly visible, structured
river study and journey of discovery to explore and document the
values, problems and opportunities of the Grand River and its
watershed, in an effort to contribute knowledge, appreciation and
awareness of responsibility for the river.
About 110 people participated.July 15, 2000 to July 27, 2000 Over 40 watercraft paddled the entire length with 60- 70 watercraft on the river each day
July 14, 2010 to July 26, 2010 Over 90 canoeists participated, with 54 making the entire trip including a 13 year old boy, and an 85 year old woman.
MGROW serves as fiduciary for the Expedition. Planning is done by the Grand River Expedition 2020 Steering Committee. Loretta Crum – Co-Chair/General Manager and Middle Grand Regional Coordinator Linda and Gary DeKock – Co-Rivermasters Doug Carter – Grand Elder Dana Strouse – Secretary Dave Drullinger – Treasurer Lou Gedvilas – Registrar Paul Rentschler – Upper Grand Regional Coordinator Wendy Ogilvie – Lower Grand Regional Coordinator Rachel Frantz; Mark Fitzpatrick; Dennis Cole; Ashling Jackson; Jefferson Seaver; Chuck Amboy; Cliff Walls; Fred Cowles; Courtney Cromley; Rachell Nagorsen; Everett Cislo; Geoffrey W. Snyder; Don Nelson; Sue Spagnuolo; Elaine Isely
The Expedition would not be possible without the active support from these and
other organizations
Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds
Upper Grand River Watershed Alliance
Grand River Environmental Action Team
Lansing Oar and Paddle Club
County Conservation Districts
Each and every municipality along the route,
especially those making special accommodations for camping and Riverfests
Corporate Sponsors – Silver, Gold, and Platinum
Company Fleet Program participants, and SWAG donationsWe have high hopes and
expectations that the Grand
River Expedition 2020 will
happen in 2021Thank You Very Much
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