Saginaw River

The Saginaw River is a 22-mile-long (35 km) river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is formed by the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Shiawassee rivers southeast of Saginaw. It flows northward into the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron just northeast of Bay City.

The river is an important shipping route for Mid-Michigan, passing through the cities of Saginaw and Bay City. It is one of Michigan's few inland navigable rivers.

Recreational Activities

The Saginaw River is popular with recreational boaters and fishermen.

The Saginaw River and Bay City is home to the annual [http://www.mlive.com/shiver/ Shiver on the River] walleye ice fishing contest. Each winter, trophy-sized fish are taken through the ice and again early in the spring. A three-mile, hard-surfaced riverwalk that is great for hiking, biking or just easy strolls is featured along the riverbanks in downtown Bay City.

In Bay City, tens of thousands flock to its banks for annual festivals such as the River Roar speed boat races [http://www.riverroar.com] and one of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest. The 4th of July celebrations encompass an entire weekend of events. [ [http://www.baycityfireworksfest.com Bay City Fireworks Festival ] ] The Saginaw Bay Yacht Club is located near the mouth of the Saginaw river.

Pollution

The Saginaw River has been polluted with waste discharged into the Tittabawassee River by Dow Chemical Company. The pollution by Dow has in large part caused widespread contamination of dioxins in and around the areas surrounding the Saginaw river watershed. [ [http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4109_9846_9847-43808--,00.html Michigan Department of Environmental Quality] ] However, Dow Chemical Company is not solely at fault; several other industrial sites along the river, including a General Motors operation, have also contributed to the pollution. [ [http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=435 Pollution clean-up deal for the Saginaw River ] ]

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