The Detroit River flows for 28 mi (45 km) from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie. By definition, this classifies it as both a river and a strait — a strait being a narrow passageway connecting two large bodies of water, which is how the river earned its name from early French settlers.
Has anyone ever swam across the Detroit River?
Detroit news outlets are reporting that a U.K. man, 56-year-old Christopher Sagajillo , was arrested at Zug Island on the night of Dec. 13 after he allegedly swam across the Detroit River.
What river flows through Detroit?
Detroit River , river forming part of the boundary between Michigan, U.S. (west), and Ontario, Can. (east), and connecting Lake St. Clair (north) with the west end of Lake Erie (south). The river flows southwest and south for 32 miles (51 km) between Detroit and Windsor, Ont.
Where does the Detroit River get its water?
The water used for all purposes in the Detroit area is obtained from three sources: Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River , their tributary streams and inland lakes, and ground water.
When was the Detroit River built?
The Detroit River has a long history of channel modifica- tions, which were constructed from the late 1800s to 1968 . In 1874, the first construction project on the river started at Lime- kiln Crossing (fig. 3) near Bois Blanc Island (Larson, 1981).
Is there sharks in the Detroit River?
Is there sharks in the Detroit River? Yes , that’s a bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) ... and yes, that’s the Detroit River. The photo was taken on July 21, 2006, by area resident Richard Kik IV (aka “Brooklamprey”) and posted to the forum of the North American Native Fishes Association.
Is it illegal to swim in the Detroit River?
Swimming in the Detroit River outside of designated swimming areas is illegal , according to authorities on both sides of the border.
How clean is Detroit River?
The contaminated river was undrinkable and virtually uninhabitable for many types of wildlife, but cleanup efforts that are now in place have made the Detroit River suitable for human and animal use once again .
Is Chicago on the Mississippi River?
The Chicago Riverwalk in downtown Chicago. ... The river now flows inland—through the south branch and into the Illinois Waterway (Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers)—to connect with the Mississippi River.
How strong is the current in the Detroit River?
“It’s like a hand grabs hold of your feet and your legs, it grabs your body mass and will pull you down.” According to Berry, the Detroit River normally runs at 2 1/2 knots, around 3 mph, but right now, it’s running at 9-10 knots, around 11mph , according to the Star.
Is the Rouge River still polluted?
Over 50% of the land surrounding the River Rouge is used for residential, industrial, and commercial purposes and development pressure continues to increase. Consequently, the river is highly polluted and was designated as a Great Lakes Area of Concern under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1987.
Is it safe to swim at Belle Isle?
BELLE ISLE (WXYZ) — According to the Detroit Health Department, Belle Isle Beach is closed until further notice due to high levels of E. coli in the water. According to the health department, the levels are above safe swimming levels. So the DNR has closed Belle Isle and posted signs asking visitors not to swim.
How cold is the Detroit River?
Water temperature in Detroit River today is 71.8°F .
The average water temperature in Detroit River in winter reaches 35.6°F, in spring 44.6°F, in summer the average temperature rises to 73.4°F, and in autumn it is 59°F.
Is Detroit lake man made?
The man- made lake began filling on June 1, 1952 . A May 21, 1952, story in The Oregonian described the town’s messy last days. “A mile away, perched on a narrow plateau just above the ultimate high-water mark, the new town of Detroit is building,” the story reported.
Does the Detroit River freeze?
In fact, without icebreakers the Detroit River could freeze over completely , as it did years ago when rum runners drove cargoes of illegal booze across the frozen Detroit River. ... Much of the Detroit River is covered with one to four inches of ice while the St. Clair River is covered with 10 to 14 inches of ice.
