Huron River Watershed Council

06/18/2026

Owen Janssen, HRWC's Executive Director from 1973–1977, stopped by our office with vintage HRWC materials from the early days of our organization. During his tenure, Owen played a pivotal role in passing Michigan's Natural Rivers Act, legislation that restricts development within 400 feet of designated riverbanks to protect the natural and ecological health of Michigan's waterways.

06/17/2026

Tip: Clean on the green.

Commercial car washes should always be your first choice, since they’re required by law to treat their wastewater. Washing your car at home? Park it on the grass. Your lawn will soak up the dirty water, break down the soap, and prevent runoff into the storm drain - and nearby waterways.

Learn more at hrwc.org/carwash.

06/16/2026

Your summer paddle trip is not complete without some Huron River Water Trail gear!

🛶T-Shirts (in many colors!)
🛶Long sleeve shirts (also in many colors!)
🛶UV protecting shirt (30 UPF rating)
🛶Hats

Get your gear at www.HRWC.org/Web-Store

06/15/2026

Volunteers needed this Saturday, June 20th!

Come join us to plant a bioswale as part of our work to restore the Trinity Health natural areas. More info below!

06/11/2026

News to Us: Freshwater mussels in Michigan, other states, get new environmental protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated over 3,800 miles of rivers as critical habitat to protect four endangered freshwater mussel species, including the rayed bean, sheppnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase. In Michigan, protected areas include parts of the Huron River, Clinton River, and River Raisin, as well as several other rivers and creeks across Michigan. Mussels are vital for ecosystem health because they filter water, but they remain endangered due to pollution, dams, and habitat loss. The new protections aim to improve water quality, reduce contaminants, and mitigate invasive species in an effort to support mussel populations.

Read the full story: https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/freshwater-mussels-michigan-new-environmental-protections/

Read more News to Us: https://www.hrwc.org/news-to-us-176/

Four freshwater mussel species now have additional federal protections as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designates over 3,800 miles of rivers as critical habitat.

06/10/2026

Southeast Michigan's stormwater system was built for a different climate. When it's overwhelmed, untreated water can overflow into our rivers and lakes.

HRWC's Executive Director Rebecca Esselman testified before the Michigan State House requesting $12.5 million for the Rain Catchers Collective, a five-year investment in green stormwater infrastructure alongside our partners organizations: Clinton River Watershed Council, Friends of the Detroit River, and Friends of the Rouge.

Rain gardens, bioswales, and native plantings capture stormwater before it ever hits the storm drain. Our organizations, alongside other partners, have already delivered 1,500+ projects capturing more than 19 million gallons of runoff per year. We know this works and we're asking the State to help us scale it.

Learn more about the program at HRWC.org/raincatchers

06/09/2026

Here's how to tell if something might be a harmful algal bloom and report it to the state

Michigan's department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has a new process for reporting harmful algal blooms (HABs). Learn how to identify an HAB and report it: https://www.michiganpublic.org/environment-climate-change/2026-06-01/heres-how-to-tell-if-something-might-be-a-harmful-algal-bloom-and-report-it-to-the-state

Learn more about HABs from HRWC: https://www.hrwc.org/our-watershed/threats/harmful-algal-blooms/

Michigan's environment department has a new online form that people can use to report suspected harmful algal blooms — usually bright green patches of lake water.

06/08/2026

It's Great Lakes and Fresh Water week!

Water from 7 counties flows into the Huron River and out to Lake Erie.
Learn how you can protect fresh water at your own home, like picking up pet waste, at www.HRWC.org/take-action

06/08/2026

Rain gardens are one of the most powerful tools we have to protect the Huron River. HRWC is expanding our Rain Catchers Collective in the Huron across the watershed to offer more green stormwater infrastructure services to residents, municipalities and community groups. Rain Catchers have already installed over 1,500 projects that capture and treat more than 19 million gallons of stormwater runoff annually. Read the full blog to learn more at www.hrwc.org/hrwc-to-grow-rain-catchers/

06/05/2026

We’re hiring! We’re looking for an enthusiastic river-lover to coordinate our volunteer water quality monitoring program. If you love working with people, collecting and analyzing data, and protecting water resources, this position is for you!

If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply if you feel you have the experience to thrive in the role, even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications.

Visit www.HRWC.org/jobs to read the full position description including responsibilities, qualifications, compensation and benefits.

We’ll begin reviewing applications on June 22, 2026.