Yesterday's paddle on the Clinton River took a grim turn when a kayaker came across a body near the River Walk along M-59, just west of Crescent Lake Road in Waterford Township. Waterford Township Police responded to the scene and launched an investigation. Authorities have not yet released the person’s identity or the cause of death.
FOX 2 Detroit reported at 6:13 p.m. EDT that the body was found in a stretch of the Clinton River near the River Walk on M-59, noting an active police presence in the area. According to the station’s brief video report, the body was discovered by a kayaker in that section of the river.
What Investigators Say
As is standard, investigators are expected to wait for medical examiner findings before releasing cause of death details, and no such results were public at the time of the initial reports.
Paddling Safety On The Clinton River
The Clinton River draws plenty of paddlers, yet it can turn dangerous after rainfall, when fast-moving water and downed trees create hazardous “strainers,” the Clinton River Watershed Council notes. As outlined by the Clinton River Watershed Council, anyone heading out on the water should wear a life vest, check USGS streamflow gauges before launching, and avoid paddling alone.
Anyone with information related to Sunday’s discovery is asked to contact Waterford Township Police or the township’s non-emergency line. Contact details are available on the municipal website. Per Waterford Township, the public canoe launch at 5971 Elizabeth Lake Road is one of several local access points for paddlers along the river.
Officials have not released further details. This story will be updated as authorities provide more information. In the meantime, local paddlers and other river users are urged to exercise caution on the Clinton River while the investigation is underway.
