TheMacatawa River, also known as theBlack River, is located in the lower part ofOttawa County, Michigan, which drains intoLake Macatawa and eventually intoLake Michigan. The main stream is 16.8 miles (27.0 km) long.[1]
| Macatawa River | |
|---|---|
 The Macatawa River inHolland Township | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ottawa County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Zeeland Township |
| • coordinates | 42°51′02″N85°54′48″W / 42.85058°N 85.91337°W /42.85058; -85.91337[2] |
| Mouth | Lake Macatawa |
• location | Holland |
• coordinates | 42°47′20″N86°07′29″W / 42.78891°N 86.12476°W /42.78891; -86.12476 |
• elevation | 581 ft (177 m)[2] |
| Length | 16.8 mi (27.0 km) |
| Basin size | 174 sq mi (450 km2) |
Preluding the migration ofDutch settlers, the region was originally inhabited by threeAnishinaabe nations: theOttawa,Ojibwe, andPotawatomi. Together they comprised theCouncil of Three Fires who spoke theAlgonquian languages. The indigenous name of the river is approximated to be the word “mak-a-tew-gamie”, meaning “black water” in theOttawa dialect. Because they spoke oral languages, the name was written by the European immigrants in twenty-five variations, which led to the mis-phoneticized wordMacatawa used today.[3]
The Macatawa River Greenway is a corridor of land along the river including a number of private and public parcels that provides agreen highway for wildlife and recreational opportunities for people along the water. Land along the Macatawa River open to the public includes: Upper Macatawa Natural Area, Hawthorn Pond, Adams Street Landing, Ridge Point Community Church Natural Area, Paw Paw Park,Windmill Island, Window on the Waterfront Park, Dunton Park, Kollen Park andHolland State Park.
A number of entities contribute to the management of the public areas along the Macatawa River Greenway including: Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway (non-profit), Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission, City ofHolland,Zeeland Township,Holland Township andPark Township.
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