Mill ponds
Easy flatwater
Calm mill ponds in Saline and Milan. Great for short beginner paddles.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Washtenaw County to the River Raisin at Dundee
Saline River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A small southeast Michigan river that runs through the towns of Saline and Milan to the River Raisin at Dundee. Its mill ponds and quiet wooded stretches make for short, easy paddles close to Ann Arbor.
RegionSoutheast Michigan
CountiesWashtenaw, Monroe
WatershedRiver Raisin
Great Lake BasinLake Erie
River LengthAbout 46 miles
PaddleableMill ponds and stretches below Saline and Milan
Best SeasonMay to October
MouthRiver Raisin at Dundee
Before you launch: dams in town
- Dams at Saline and Milan: there are dams of about 18 to 19 feet in the Saline and Milan area. Take out well above them and never go near the spillways.
- Deadfall: the river between towns is small and collects downed trees.
- Low summer water: the river can get shallow by late summer. Check the gage.
- Private land: most of the bank between towns is private.
River History
Long before settlement, Native people traveled to the salt springs near today's city of Saline to gather salt. French explorers who canoed up the river did the same, and they named it Saline, meaning salty. The river itself, though, isn't salty at all.
Surveyor Orange Risdon founded the town of Saline in 1832, and mills grew up on the river at Saline and Milan. Their dams still hold back the mill ponds in both towns. The site of Saline's pioneer gristmill later became a state fisheries research station.
River Map
River Overview
The Saline River starts in Washtenaw County and flows about 46 miles south and east through the city of Saline and the city of Milan, crossing into Monroe County below Milan. It joins the River Raisin at Dundee, and its water reaches Lake Erie at Monroe.
Washtenaw County headwaters
Small farm and woodland stream. Too small to paddle.
Austin Road near Bridgewater
USGS gage on the upper river.
Saline and the mill pond
Mill pond and dam in town, with a carry-in launch at Mill Pond Park.
Saline to Milan
Small, winding river through farmland and woods.
Milan and the Milan dam
Second mill pond and dam, with a carry-in launch at Milan Nature Park.
Milan to Dundee
Slow, rural water into Monroe County.
River Raisin at Dundee
The Saline joins the Raisin at Dundee.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
The USGS gage near Saline is the one to check for the main paddling stretches. The Austin Road gage near Bridgewater covers the upper river.
How to read it
Compare today's flow with the typical flow for the date shown on the USGS graph. Well above normal means faster current, debris coming downstream and fewer safe eddies. Well below normal means more dragging and more liftovers.
After heavy rain, check again the morning you launch. Small rivers rise and fall quickly.
Paddling Character
Between towns
Small and winding
Narrow, slow river with downed trees. Best in moderate water.
Lower river
Quiet and rural
Slow water through farmland to the River Raisin.
Michigan Water Trails
The Saline River is not a designated Michigan Water Trail. The River Raisin, which the Saline joins at Dundee, has the Upper and Central River Raisin water trails.
Check the official list for updates, since new trails are added over time.
River Raisin water trailsDams & Portages
Saline
Saline mill pond dam
Dam that forms the mill pond in Saline. Take out above and carry around.
Milan
Milan dam
About 18 feet high, forming the mill pond in Milan. Take out above and carry around.
Plan ahead
Portage tips
Both dams are in town. Scout the carry and the put-in below each dam before your trip.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Camping
Southeast Michigan
Pinckney and Waterloo recreation areas
State campgrounds about 45 minutes northwest. A Recreation Passport is required.
Riverside
No camping on the river
The parks on the Saline are day-use only.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Herons, kingfishers, wood ducks, turtles and deer are common. Local preserves like the Niethammer Saline River Preserve protect wooded river habitat.
Fishing
The mill ponds hold bass, pike and panfish. The river between towns has smallmouth bass and rock bass.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Take out well above both dams.
- Watch for downed trees between towns.
- Check the Saline gage before running the river.
Rules, passes and private land
- City parks have posted hours. Check them before leaving a car.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is needed at state parks and many state-run launches.
- Much of the riverbank is private. Stop only on public land or where you have permission.
- Leave No Trace: pack out all trash.
What to pack
- Spare paddle, bilge pump, throw bag and whistle
- Dry bag with warm layers
- Map or GPS track with your take-out marked
- Folding saw for small deadfall
Best Time & Access
Spring
The best water for the river between towns. Cold.
Summer
Good on the mill ponds. The river can get low by August.
Fall
Nice color on the ponds and preserves.
Winter
Cold and icy. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Saline is about two hours southeast. Take I-96 east to US-23 south, then M-14 or US-12 to Saline. Milan is about 15 minutes south of Saline on US-23.
Trip Planning
Pond paddles
The mill ponds in Saline and Milan make easy evening or beginner trips.
River trips
Plan short runs between road crossings and expect deadfall.
Combine rivers
Pair the Saline with the River Raisin water trails nearby.
Check before you go
Look at the Saline gage, the weather and park hours.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater doesn't list the Saline River, so it's rated Class I: easy water with no rapids. Dams and deadfall are the hazards to plan around.
Mill ponds
Easy flatwater for beginners.
River between towns
Small, slow river with downed trees.
Quick Reference
| Source | Washtenaw County |
|---|---|
| Mouth | River Raisin at Dundee |
| Length | About 46 miles |
| Dams | Saline mill pond dam, Milan dam |
| Main towns | Saline, Milan, Dundee |
| Key gage | USGS 04176400, near Saline |
| Michigan Water Trail | Not designated |
| Best season | May to October |
| Difficulty | Class I |