Paddling the Flat River Smyrna and above Ingalls Road Bridge is a blown-out Sites and History The peaceful Flat River is a particularly attractive dam that offers the only rapids of any note on the The Flat River and surrounding areas are rich in historic destination for beginning paddlers or those looking to river. Experienced paddlers will have no difficulty values of state and national significance. In addition to introduce youngsters to the pleasures of floating a with this short run (stick to the river center to avoid being an important element in both Indian and lumbering Greenville Recreation Department larger remnants of the dam), but beginners may want stream. Mild-mannered and shallow for history, the river boasts two of the remaining four original 900 E. Kent Rd., Greenville, MI 48838 most of it’s length, the Flat River threads its way to portage on the left, especially during spring and wooden covered bridges in Michigan. The oldest, through long stretches of public land that house a other high-water periods. Whites Bridge near Smyrna, was built in 1867. Both 616.754.8887 wide variety of wildlife. Whites Bridge and Fallasburg Bridge are on the National Department Email: [email protected] Immediately below Smyrna, the Flat remains wide and State Registers of Historic Places. www.greenvillemi.org/rec and shallow with a moderate flow and occasional rocky riffles. After about 2 miles, though, it flows into Natural River Designation This is not your typical watercraft livery service. We provide the equipment the backwaters of White’s Bridge Dam, which can be The Flat River, is one of sixteen state-designated & you transport it to your choice of waterway. Renter must be at least 18 portaged on the left. Below the dam is a nice float “Natural Rivers” since 1979. The Natural Rivers Pro- years old & must provide a valid credit card at the time of rental. that takes paddlers through the wooded hills of the gram is administered by the Department of Natural COST CANOE KAYAK TUBE Although much of the Flat River is canoeable, espe- Lowell State Game Area and under White’s Bridge, Resources (DNR). The purpose of a natural river desig- cially in the spring and early summer, the area from one of the state’s original wooden covered bridges. nation is to preserve and enhance the area for water Daily Rate (Mon -Thu) $15 $15 $10 Greenville downstream to Lowell is the best. A mod- Another historic bridge spanning the stream - Fallas- conservation, its free flowing condition, and the fish, Weekend Rate (Fri - Sun) $30 $20 $15 erate current, changing bottom types, vegetative burg Park Bridge - lies just below the recommended wildlife, boating, scenic, aesthetic, floodplain, ecologic, cover, fish and wildlife, and two historic covered take-out at Fallasburg Park. Paddlers also have the historic and recreational values and uses. Saturday & Sunday rentals must be picked up on Friday and returned on Monday bridges makes this a popular stretch to paddle. Many option of pushing on past Fallasburg Park to Lowell. Wildlife Observations paddlers put in at Greenville, just downstream of the Reservations Monday - Friday 8am-5pm The river above Greenville to Langston flows slowly Greenville Dam or at Jackson’s Landing, just below A variety of wildlife through lowland hardwood areas and many dead Equipment Pick Up Monday - Friday 12pm-4:30pm the M-57 bridge. The river is 30-40 feet wide and 1 to sightings along the Flat trees across the river makes it difficult to canoe. The 2 feet deep. The Flat’s mellow current takes the bite River is common. Wild- Equipment Return Monday - Friday 8am-12pm river from Langston to Six Lakes is slow and general- out of the large rocks and other occasional obstacles. life sightings may include ly too small and brushy for enjoyable canoeing. ring-necked pheasants, About 2 miles downstream from Jackson’s Landing, Access rabbit, fox squirrel, white- you’ll cross into the Flat River State Game Area, a tailed deer and ruffed grouse. Muskrats are abundant In Greenville, paddlers sure highlight of any trip on the river. The river wid- and mink are common in the area as well. A few beaver have two put-in options. ens to 50-70 feet through the game area and main- are beginning to establish themselves in the river system The first is located in the tains a depth of 1 to 2 feet as it meanders past heavily and raccoons and red fox sightings are not uncommon. S Start: Jackson’s Landing Canoe -Kayak Tube center of town, Tower wooded shorelines. During mid-summer and other Stately swans, gangly herons, mallards, black ducks, Riverside Park, off of 1 Bricker Bridge 2 hrs 4 hrs low-water periods, however, you may run aground wood ducks and blue-winged teal call the Flat River Greenville Road (M-91), occasionally. home. Don’t rule out many non-game species such as 2 East Riverside Park 4 hrs 8 hrs just below the Greenville Dam. A second option is songbirds, shore birds, rodents, birds of prey, reptiles As you approach the Belding Dam, the river deepens Jackson’s Landing, located just below the bridge at Whites Bridge and amphibians. One of the most exciting sightings may 3 7 hrs and slows. An easy portage around the dam can be M-57. The Long Lake Road Bridge lies 2.5 miles east found on the left, beyond the fence at a shoreline even include a bald eagle. 4 Fallasburg Covered Bridge 10 hrs of Belding on Long Lake Road. To put in at Belding park. Immediately below the dam, the river returns to Dam, use the community park just west of Zahm Fishing its shallow ways, albeit at a slightly livelier clip. As Road. To reach White’s Bridge, take M-21 east out of The Flat River, especially below Greenville, is of suffi- Drinking Water Water Shoes Personal with certain stretches, paddling pleasure through here Lowell for 2 miles, then turn north on White’s Bridge cient size to allow float-type fishing, yet, in most areas, is Sunscreen Picnic/Snacks Flotation is somewhat dependent on water level. During dry Road for 6 miles. To reach the put-in sites at Fallas- shallow enough to allow wading fishermen a chance to summers, you may feel like you’re spending more Insect Repellant Water Trail Map Device burg Park and McPherson Road Bridge, take Lincoln apply their skills. time walking alongside your canoe than sitting in it. Lake Avenue north out of Lowell for 2 miles, then But during normal water levels, you can concentrate proceed north on Fallasburg Park Road for another 2 The Flat River has the reputation of being one of the on watching for some of miles. The put-ins are located next to one another on best smallmouth bass streams in southern Michigan. the area’s abundant the east side of the road. The upper Flat from Six Lakes to Greenville contain fair The Flat River Water Trail Map is a project by the Greenville

wildlife. populations of northern pike and rock bass with a few Recreation Department and funding has been provided by the Camping largemouth bass being taken from the area just down The Flat gradually wid- Greenville Area Community Foundation. You won’t find any established public campgrounds from Six Lakes. Greenville down to Lowell, the river ens to as much as 80 Learn more about the river trail and get more detailed along the Flat River. A private campground, the contains excellent populations of northern pike and rock feet as it nears Smyrna. Double R Ranch, is located just downstream from bass. information, including trip planning and other details Immediately below Smyrna. at: www.greenvillemi.org/rec. Whites Bridge

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