Jordan River Detail

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All Jordan River

Designated a Michigan Wild-Scenic Natural River, the Jordan runs crystal clear at fairly steady volumes throughout the year. The upper portion is wild, narrow, and quick, requiring attention to maneuvering your boat, and gradually slows and widens as you progress toward Lake Charlevoix. Access points, at the bridges, are generally evenly spaced between Graves Crossing and Lake Charlevoix.

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Clear water with moderate current averaging about 3′ deep with sand & gravel bottom.
  • Bank Conditions. Parallel trail in some sections, through State Forest, with places to stop.
  • Development. The river flows mostly within the State Forest with little riverbank development.
  • Caution. The lower section, coming into East Jordan, can have heavy headwinds coming off Lake Charlevoix. Log jams potential anywhere upstream of Rogers Road.

Statistics

  • Length: 11 miles.
  • Duration: 5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [C] Intermediate in the upper stretches, Beginner in middle section, and flat water at the end.
  • Current: Starts with quick visible current on the surface, then ends with flat water at East Jordan and Lake Charlevoix.

River Play

  • River Break: Many places to stop along the riverside, within the State Forest.
  • Nature: Abundant birds and small critters.
  • Fishing. A Blue Ribbon Trout Stream.

Graves Crossing to Old State Road

Natural and scenic flanked by State land with quick clean current.

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Clear water with moderate current averaging about 3′ deep and approximately 30′ wide with sand & gravel bottom.
  • Bank Conditions. Deep wooded forest.
  • Development. None.

Access Notes

  • Graves Crossing. Easy deck access on left side of river.
  • Old State Road. Off road access with boat slide to the water, boardwalk & dock access, and large parking lot.
  • Staging Distance: 2.6 miles.

Statistics

  • Length: 2.4 miles.
  • Duration: 1 hour.
  • Difficulty: [C] Beginner-Intermediate. Need to steer, few obstructions, easily avoid tangles.
  • Current: [B] Quick current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Banks within the State Forest are accessible for stopping.
  • Nature: State land with abundant wildlife.
  • Fishing. Trout stream.

Old State Road to Webster Bridge

Initially, quite quick and winding, then slows and widens to comfortable float.

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Clear water with moderate current averaging about 3′ deep and approximately 30′ wide with sand & gravel bottom.
  • Bank Conditions. Deep wooded forest.
  • Development. Virtually uninhabited, with a few periodic riverside cabins.

Access Notes

  • Old State Road. Off road access with boat slide to the water, boardwalk & dock access, and large parking lot.
  • Webster Bridge. MDNR launch site, with kayak launch on right side, and designated parking lot.
  • Staging Distance: 3.4 miles.

Statistics

  • Length: 3.5 miles.
  • Duration: 1.5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [C] Beginner-Intermediate. Need to steer, few obstructions, easily avoid tangles.
  • Current: [B] Quick current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Banks are accessible for stopping within the State Forest.
  • Nature: Bird watching.
  • Fishing: Trout stream.

Webster Bridge to Rogers Road

State forest corridor and clear river, with moderate maneuvering required. Initially, quite quick and winding, then slows and widens to comfortable float.

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Clear water with moderate current averaging about 3′ deep and approximately 30′ wide with sand & gravel bottom.
  • Bank Conditions. Deep wooded forest.
  • Development. Periodic houses & structures.

Access Notes

  • Webster Bridge. MDNR launch site, with kayak launch on right side, and designated parking lot.
  • Alba Road. Deck access on right side. Small parking lot.
  • Rogers Road. MDNR launch site, with access on right side, and designated parking lot.
  • Staging Distance: 2.9 miles.

Statistics

  • Length: 2.8 miles.
  • Duration: 1.5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [D] Fairly wide corridor, rare obstructions, gentle current.
  • Current: [C] Slow current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Banks are accessible for stopping within the State Forest.
  • Nature: Bird watching.
  • Fishing: Trout stream.

Rogers Road to East Jordan

Gradual slowing of the current and opens to low lands during the approach to Lake Charlevoix.

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Final approaching section near lake slows and widens, flanked by marshland. Initially a quick current, and gradually slowing to virtually none while approaching Lake Charlevoix.
  • Bank Conditions. Transitions from public/private mix of land, to marsh and open water while approaching Lake Charlevoix.
  • Development. Periodic houses & structures before the open water area, then within the City of East Jordan.
  • Caution. Headwinds off Lake Charlevoix may create the need to excessive paddling.

Access Notes

  • Rogers Road. MDNR launch site, with access on right side, and designated parking lot.
  • Sportsman’s Park.
  • East Jordan Boat Launch.

Statistics

  • Length: 2.4 miles. On Jordan River: 1.6 mi. On Lake Charlevoix: 0.8 mi.
  • Duration: 1.5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [B] Beginner. Wide area, rare obstructions, gentle current to flat water.
  • Current: [D] Stars with slow current visible on surface, ending at flat water.

River Play

  • River Break: A couple Nature Preserves flank both sides of the river before the marsh.
  • Nature: the marsh just upstream of the East Jordan bridge is abundant with birds and aquatic life.
  • Fishing: try your luck in the area.