To understand how important it is, the Watershed contains 467 acres of land encompassing 3 counties and 48 communities. The Rouge River empties into the Detroit River which is also where our drinking water comes from.

In 1948 all of the industrial waste that had been going into the Rouge reached new heights causing so 

much pollution that most of the fish, frogs and bugs that were a normal part of a clean river were gone. In 

1969, it was so bad that the Rouge river caught file and flames rose 55 feet into the air. The Water Act was

passed in 1972, in part due to the fire in the Rouge.

The Friends of the Rouge are now planning and building Rain Gardens to help contain water runoff. They also constantly monitor the river for trash, industrial waste, and take periodic counts of fish, frogs, toads, and a variety of bugs, such as the stone fly, which all tell them how healthy the river is. There are even Sturgeon appearing back in the river.

The Friends of the Rouge recently received a grant from the LCF to help with their ongoing work to 

keep the Rouge River Watershed clean and healthy. The also have education programs for kids, and there are walking paths, one of which is 29 miles all the way to the Detroit River. There are also water trails for kayaking and a Greenway. Friends of the Rouge are celebrating their 40th Anniversary next year.

President Darga then presented Ashley with the Rotary Soccer Ball.

Marlene Katafias