Boardman-Ottaway River Access Update

River access between Brown Bridge Landing and Cass Road, Jack’s Landing is CLOSED.

Paddlers can access the Boardman River by putting in at Forks and Scheck’s Place Landing. Float time is expected to be in the range of four hours from Forks to Brown Bridge Landing.

PLEASE NOTE: Although these stretches have been cleared of fallen trees as of 5/21/2026, new obstructions may exist, and all river users should proceed with a high degree of caution. Higher spring flows are still in effect.  River recreation poses potential hazardous environments at all times. River conditions and access may change or be updated throughout the summer season.

Risk is significant, and life-threatening conditions exist. There is much debris in closed areas, including asphalt, rebar, propane tanks, docks, chairs, and natural materials.

THE BOARDMAN RIVER

The Boardman River Watershed spans 287 square miles and drains approximately 182,800 acres of land through nearly 200 miles of river and stream tributaries. All of this adds up to 30% of the surface water input into Grand Traverse Bay, making it the largest tributary to Grand Traverse Bay’s West Arm.

A state-designated ‘Natural River’ and a Blue Ribbon trout stream, the Boardman River is considered one of the top ten trout streams in Michigan and one of the most outstanding natural features of the Grand Traverse region.

As such, the river and its watershed are enjoyed by anglers, boaters, hunters, hikers, and wildlife watchers alike.

LOOKING TO PADDLE THE BOARDMAN RIVER?

Learn more about paddling specific sections of the Boardman River below.

In addition, for many years now GTCD, in partnership with BackCountry North, offers a summer guided kayak float down a select section of the Boardman River. Check our Events page for more information on our guided float. Group paddles and seasoned knowledge of the Boardman are also available through the Traverse Area Paddle Club.

GTCD + THE BOARDMAN rIVER

The Grand Traverse Conservation District began caring for the Boardman River in 1991, after a survey of the river revealed over 600 erosion sites along its banks, 85% of which were attributed to human activity.

Since then, the Conservation District through the Boardman River Project, and in partnership with numerous local, state, and federal partners, have restored over 300 of these sites, including over 50 transportation/road stream crossings.

Most recently, the Boardman has undergone an incredible transformation from approximately Scheck’s State Campground downstream to West Grand Traverse Bay, with the historic removal of three former hydro dams (Brown Bridge, Boardman, and Sabin), plus the modification of the lower-most dam, Union Street Dam.

Union Street Dam is the site of the proposed state-of-the-art FishPass Structure. When completed, the FishPass will replace the existing Union Street Dam with a facility that, in theory, will allow for the passage of desirable fish, while blocking the passage of non-desirable species.

The Boardman River Valley Master Plan (BRVMP) was initiated by East Bay, Paradise, and Union Townships as a proactive approach to retain the rural, wild and recreational habitats that now exist in the Valley.