New head of Reclaim the Rivers project has paddled all 104 miles of the Huron River – twice

Gillian Gainsley has served as the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) chief of staff. This week, she takes on heading the department’s Reclaim the Rivers project, recently announced by Gov. Whitmer. It’s an $89 million commitment to clean up and restore the Detroit River, Kalamazoo River and other waterways across Michigan.

Gainsley has had a keen interest in Michigan rivers throughout her life. Her goal is to is to paddle 50 rivers in Michigan! But it’s the Huron River that she’s most familiar with, having grown up in the Huron River Valley. She has twice paddled the Huron River Water Trail. In today’s edition of MI Environment, she details her paddling journey and love of Michigan’s rivers.

Fall is my favorite time to paddle. In the summer, busy schedules and hot days mean I’d rather be in the water than on it, but there’s nothing more perfect than a crisp, cool morning on the river or an afternoon fall color tour. This year, I’ve been exploring the Two Hearted and Manistique rivers in the U.P. and the Kalamazoo and Thornapple rivers in southwest Michigan, but in 2024, I paddled all 104 miles of southeast Michigan’s beautiful Huron River over five days.

Why paddle 104 miles? Because I can’t pass up a good challenge. The Huron 104 is a friendly challenge issued by the Huron River Watershed Council. Paddle the entire Huron and you receive the ultimate prize: having your name added to their website. Was it worth the weeks of planning and several days of sore backs and arms? Absolutely.

If you’re ready to hit the water this fall, or are planning a future trip, here I outline our 5-day route and share my experiences. I hope this article is helpful for people who are hoping to explore the Huron (or your own local river), whether it’s for a day or going for the full thru-paddle.

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