This trail includes approximately 13 miles of paddling that includes a Heritage Water trail commemorating 28 sites of riverfront history through the village of Union City, Michigan. The first stretch above Union City on the Coldwater River starting at Riverbend park to JP Palmer Launch as of 7/20/2016 is reportedly fairly open now as far as deadfall. Several folks have been working to clear this stretch. If the water is running high from rain, snow melt etc. the Coldwater River from Riverbend Park to the JP Palmer launch to Union City should be given a bit of respect as the current can run pretty quickly with obstacles to maneuver around. An easier stretch is the 5 miles though the Village of Union City starting at the JP Palmer Launch and extending across Union Lake to Riley Dam. This stretch known as the Union City Heritage Water Trail was launched during the village's 2016 Sesquicentennial Celebration with nearly 200 kayakers, canoeists, and tubers made the inaugural float. Starting at the JP Palmer launch, you will experience the challenge of a bit a bit of quick current on the final 700 yards of the Coldwater River before you make the turn onto the lazier, deeper St. Joe. Paddle past 28 historic markers complete with vintage photos and history including an island created when an iron bridge dropped into swirling flood waters in the Great 1908 flood and the remains of the Elkhorn lodge, home to Union City's own Daniel Boone like legend, Skinny Bullock (for complete details: www.uchwt.com) Near the Arbogast bridge you will find a wetlands where many bird and waterfowl species can often be sighted. Passing under Arbogast bridge you can choose then to paddle on across Union Lake approximately 2 miles to the DNR launch at Tuttle Rd. or 3 miles to Riley Dam and the final marker on the Heritage Trail. Beware this is a long lake paddle to the west an can be challenging on a windy day. An ADA portage was finally placed around the dam that had been blocking the river for nearly 100 years in 2016. The bright orange buoy line can be seen fairly far down the lake after crossing under Arbogast bridge. The portage is on the right side of the dam. You can end your trip here or re access the St. Joe in a natural streamside access and continue on down the St. Joe to the Athens Rd. Bridge or the Arney Rd. Bridge. amidst a woodsy remote feeling section of the river, and possibly encounter an occasional deadfall. This section is a a long time favorite local float. Note, no section of the trail is maintained by any livery service and there is currently none servicing the area. Local paddlers work to keep the river open. The 5 mile Heritage water trail in the center of this trail from the Palmer Launch in the southeast corner of the village to the Riley dam tends to be the most open stretch of river.
Greater Union City Water Trail and Heritage Trail Assets
Greater Union City Water Trail and Heritage Trail News
Contact: Union City Heritage Water Trail