Huron River Watershed Council

10/09/2026

Free rain garden workshop in Belleville! Join us on Wednesday, October 21 at 6 PM at the Belleville Area District Library to learn how a rain garden can reduce flooding on your property and keep our local waterways healthy. 🌱🌧️

Join Kate Laramie, Watershed Ecologist with the Huron River Watershed Council, for an informative session on the benefits of rain gardens and how they can help protect local waterways. Learn how these eco-friendly gardens capture and filter stormwater, reduce flooding, and enhance the beauty of your landscape—all while supporting native plants and pollinators.

If you’re a homeowner living on the lake, a rain garden can be a powerful tool for improving water quality by reducing runoff and preventing erosion along the shoreline. This session will provide practical tips on designing, installing, and maintaining a rain garden to protect both your property and the health of our local lakes and rivers.

📅 Wednesday, October 21
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Belleville Area District Library | 167 Fourth St. Belleville, MI 48111

Learn more at www.HRWC.org/calendar

HRWC’s Rain Catchers Collective program is funded by the DTE Foundation, the Americana Foundation and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. This support funds the growth of HRWC’s rain garden assessment program and related education, activities and other programming within the Huron River watershed. www.HRWC.org/raincatchers

10/07/2026

Thank you River Roundup Volunteers!!

Last weekend, 120 volunteers had the most gorgeous fall weather imaginable as they set out across the Huron River watershed to search our creeks and rivers for benthic macroinvertebrates. While many teams were stymied by high water conditions and insects even more hidden than normal, morale was high as they returned to the HRWC offices for debriefing and snacks.

Thank you to Pure Oakland Water - POW, the KLA Foundation and the Toyota Foundation for supporting this important work to monitor the health of our waterways.

10/06/2026

Late September, we planted a bioswale at Trinity Health Ann Arbor. In this reel, David Clipner of Copper Bear Native Landscaping walks you through what we got done that day 🌱

The bioswale is part of a bigger project to restore 103 acres of natural areas along the Huron River, in partnership with Trinity Health Ann Arbor, PlantWise, and Copper Bear Native Landscaping. The goals: 1) Remove invasive plant species, 2) Restore trails and trail signage, and 3) Build a network of employees, volunteers, and community members who care about ecological restoration.

You can learn more about this project at www.HRWC.org/restoring-riverside-natural-areas-at-trinity-health/

10/05/2026

News to Us: Michigan dam removal prompts relocation of thousands of Huron River mussels

This summer, HRWC and project partners relocated threatened and endangered freshwater mussel species in preparation for the removal of Peninsular Paper Dam (Pen Dam) in Ypsilanti. Project partners and dozens of volunteers relocated approximately 3,000 mussels to reduce the risk of sediment impacts during dam removal. This work builds on the mussel monitoring work from 2024 that HRWC coordinated. The removal of Pen Dam is expected to restore river connectivity, improve water quality, and create conditions that support healthier mussel populations and aquatic ecosystems in the long run.

Read the full article here: https://bridgemi.com/outdoors-life/michigan-dam-removal-prompts-relocation-of-thousands-of-huron-river-mussels/

Read more News to Us: https://www.hrwc.org/news-to-us-180/

Around 3,000 mussels were relocated below the Peninsular Paper Dam to help them better survive temporary sediment expected to kick up after the dam is removed. The dam is currently decommissioned and expected to be taken down as early as 2027.

10/02/2026

Suds for the River wouldn’t be the celebration it is without the incredible support of our sponsors. We’re so grateful for your generosity, partnership, and commitment to HRWC and the Huron River. Thank you for helping keep the good times, and the river, flowing!

10/02/2026

Our elected officials make policy decisions that impact us and they impact HRWC’s ability to pursue our mission. HRWC's executive director, Rebecca Esselman, offers three call to action as we approach election season. Swipe to learn more and read the full blog at www.HRWC.org/blog.

09/30/2026

What a night! Suds for the River 2026 was a huge success, and it’s all thanks to YOU. Together, we gathered at beautiful Robin Hills Farm in Chelsea to celebrate the Huron River Watershed Council, the river we all care about, and the community that makes our work possible. We’re deeply grateful to our amazing sponsors, Host Committee, Revelers & Guardians, chefs, brewers, and every supporter who brought energy and passion to the event. Your commitment helps protect and sustain the Huron River for generations to come.

09/30/2026

Our September News to Us highlights exciting progress towards the removal of the Peninsular Paper Dam, new efforts to promote beaver coexistence in Southeast Michigan, and recent state outdoor recreation funding—including four exciting projects right here in our watershed. Tune into this reel as Andrea Paine breaks down the key stories driving change for our river and region. Full stories at www.hrwc.org/news-to-us-180/

09/29/2026

Help Plant the Riverside Park Wet Meadow THIS WEEKEND (October 4)

Join Washtenaw County Water Resources, the Huron River Watershed Council, and the Mutual Aid Network of Ypsilanti (MANY) Eco Survival Support program on October 4th to help install native plants for the Riverside Park Wet Meadow Project.

Wet meadows are native plant communities that help manage stormwater, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife. Volunteers will help plant flowers, grasses, and sedges that will make up the wet meadow. We'll provide all necessary tools and instruction, but you're welcome to bring your own gardening tools if you prefer. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. For more information about the project and to sign up for email updates, visit riversidewetmeadow.crd.co. Please contact Andrea at [email protected] with any questions.

When: Sunday, Oct 4th, 3pm - 5pm
Location: Riverside Park, near the staircase that goes to the Riverside Art Center