The Mighty AuSable River in Northern Michigan
May 7, 2009
The Mighty AuSable River
The Mighty AuSable, as it is affectionately called. Known as heaven for fly fisherman from around the country. Also known, worldwide for the longest Canoe Marathon held the last weekend in July. Many visit the area for this big event, in fact, George Blaha (Detroit Pistons Announcer) was the Emcee in 2005). The race starts at 9:00p.m. in Grayling, Michigan and continues until 11:00a.m. and finished in Oscoda, Michigan where the AuSable empties into Lake Huron.
The Au Sable is a major tributary to Lake Huron. It drains a north-south basin that includes 1,932 square miles in north-central lower Michigan. The basin is approximately 90 miles long and 10 to 30 miles wide. The river basin is partially within the Huron National Forest and includes parts of Otsego, Montmorency, Crawford, Osco, Alcona, Roscommon, Ogemaw, and Iosco counties.
Iargo Springs: View from the Observation Deck
Almost to Oscoda is a miraculous place. A sacred ground to the Native Americans who once occupied this land, Iargo Springs is a must see attraction.
Iargo Springs Interpretive Site provides a spectacular panoramic view of the Au Sable River. It lies next to River Road and has been used as a drinking water source since presettlement times. Dams were constructed on the springs by early loggers, before the turn of the century. The dams were useful on diverting water to the logging camps nearby. Most of the waters of Cooke Pond were dry land then. Europeans have visited the springs for recreation since the 1920’s. A trail was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Early photographs show the dam being repaired and reinforced by the CCC’s. This work lasted until a storm took out the dams in 1981.
Iargo Springs Interpretive Site was renovated in 1991. The “One Step At A Time” campaign raised funds to rebuild the stairway. Additional grant moneys and Forest Service funds were used to landscape the area and construct the boardwalks
and dams.
With over 300 steps down to the over 1000 ft boardwalk that runs through out the natural springs, one must be in good physical condition to make the journey to the bottom. If you aren’t able to make it, the view from the Observation Deck places one at the top of the Hophornbeam trees.