Michigan and The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System

Americorps • July 5, 2023

In 1968, Congress passed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act establishing the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS) to preserve free-flowing rivers for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects more than 13,400 miles of rivers and streams in the U.S. The Forest Service is involved in managing over 5,000 of those wild and scenic rivers miles.

What designates a wild and science river though? Well, they have remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic or other similar values that led our government to add these waterways to the NWSRS. While some of these rivers are closed to recreational activities, many of them are open to the public.

In Michigan, there are currently 16 rivers that are included in the NWSRS. The Forest Service works with the public to ensure that the free-flowing conditions, water quality, and outstandingly remarkable values of these rivers are protected from overuse, instream developments, and other impacts that do not enhance these values.

One of these rivers is the Manistee River, which has a total of 26 miles of recreation that we can use for public enjoyment. MUCC’s On the Ground program has collaborated with Steelhead Manifesto for seven years to host volunteer efforts to keep the Manistee clean. Join us this year as well to help keep trash out of our historic rivers.

If you are interested, please click HERE. Hope to see you there!

Recent Posts

The Legacy of Michigan Logging

By Olivia Triltsch • April 24, 2025
Historically, Michigan experienced a lumber era in which the state was a leading producer for 50 years starting in 1860.

MUCC celebrates a successful Clinton River Cleanup

By Katelyn Helsel • April 23, 2025
Rochester Hills, MI — On the Ground, MUCC’s volunteer stewardship program, celebrated its 250th habitat improvement project in Oakland County this past weekend. In partnership with Metro-West Steelheaders and the Clinton River Watershed Council , 62 volunteers removed more than 460 pounds of trash from the Clinton River watershed and surrounding areas, restoring more than 80 acres of fish and wildlife habitat. Volunteers focused on picking up trash and other debris in the river near Yates Park and along various walking trails near the Yates Cider Mill. Many different items were collected, including a couple of tires, fishing line, old cans, a sign, and even a car bumper. “We definitely wanted to clean up as much trash as possible because that's going to help the watershed as a whole, and it’s going to clean up the river for both humans aesthetically, and also the animals that live in it, and create safer drinking water” said Olivia Triltsch, MUCC’s Habitat Program and Partnerships Coordinator.

Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddisflies, Oh My!

By Olivia Triltsch • April 17, 2025
In addition to their impact on water quality, these three orders of insects are an important part of the diet of game fish, making anglers, especially fly fishermen, interested in the conservation of these small animals.
More Posts