Alcona Pond and 5 Channels get new launches 2021 Marathon Results .................................................................................................8,10,

Two new launches at dams along the path of the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon -- Alcona Pond and Five Channels -- are ready to go this summer. The launches enable an easier portage around the dams for paddlers to continue down the scenic AuSable River.

The walkway to the launch and the launch deck at Alcona are made of durable concrete. A smooth steel edge surrounds the launch deck, a welcome feature that allows paddlers to board their small watercraft without having to get into the water.

The modern launch replaced aging wood steps and railings along the embankment where paddlers needed to enter the water to get into their canoe/ kayak. Over the years, the water at the location became deeper, making it more difficult for paddlers to board their watercraft.

The new launch was installed a short distance downstream from the previous launch where the water is shallower. To protect the shoreline from erosion, rip-rap was also added to both sides of the shoreline.

“We researched solutions to create a launch that is safer, more convenient and long-lasting while continuing to provide recreational access to the river,” said Matt Carmer, Natural Resources Administrator at Consumers Energy, who coordinated the project. A launch was also installed at Five Channels Dam just before the 2021 Au Sable River Canoe Marathon held in July.

At Five Channels Dam, a new core wall was built, which included a new upstream canoe take out as part of the canoe portage. This design is similar to Foote Dam and Mio Dam.

In 2019, the canoe/kayak slide at Five Channels Dam was upgraded and the first-ever slide was installed at Mio Dam.

As the portages at Alcona, Five Channels and Mio dams are on the route of the 120-mile Au Sable River Canoe Marathon, the slides and launches were designed with input from representatives of the planning organization, the nonprofit Au Sable River International Canoe Marathon, Inc.

The 120-mile race from Grayling to Oscoda is held annually on the last weekend in July. The event attracts professional paddlers and up to 50,000 spectators from the United States and Canada. Along the route, two-person teams portage at Consumers Energy’s six hydro dams.

“Consumers Energy is a longtime Marathon partner and sponsor,” Carmer said. “The event gives us an opportunity to support local communities and showcase our hydroelectric sites that generate clean, renewable energy from one of the nation’s most scenic rivers.”

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2021 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Results

Place No. Paddlers (Ages) Time

1 63 Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44) 13:54:09 2 99 Wesley Dean (26) & Weston Willoughby (30) 14:07:37 3 97 Chris Issendorf (39) & Logan Mynar (30) 14:11:01 4 55 Mike Davis (30) & Shane MacDowell (33) 14:14:11 5 08 Pete Mead (40) & Carson Burmeister (24) 14:15:51 6 52 Ryan Zaveral (28) & Matt Gabriel, Jr. (37) 14:17:33 7 07 Kyle Mynar (36) & Kyle Stonehouse (27) 14:24:43 8 02 Brett Stockton (58) & Ryan Halstead (34) 14:26:26 9 66 Patrick Madden (41) & Steve Watson (49) 14:27:41 10 13 Nick Walton (48) & Serge Pagé (44) 14:27:48 11 91 Daniel Medina (27) & Ian Rolls (43) 14:33:40 12 22 Jason Hatfield (43) & Colin Hunter (40) 14:39:07 13 78 Michael Schlimmer (35) & Ben Schlimmer (32) 14:43:19 14 01 Richard Lauth (48) & Mary Schlimmer (30) 14:44:24 15 90 Austin Weiler (29) & Adam Gelinas (39) 14:49:30 16 20 Russ Reker (57) & Tad Hill (43) 14:59:48 17 30 Eric Batway (58) & Mike Bradford (56) 15:00:42 18 18 Douglas Dalman (46) & Brad Wilson (39) 15:16:20 19 16 Jeff Kolka (62) & Naomi Kolka (25) 15:19:29 20 03 Mo Harwood, Jr. (42) & Erich Podjaske (39) 15:24:56 21 80 Kevin Boss (58) & Andy Hall (49) 15:27:05 22 14 David Teddy (47) & Bill Torongo (59) 15:29:02 23 46 Paul Olney (58) & Michael Fries (68) 15:29:55 24 39 Brandon Stafford (36) & Andrew Condie (36) 15:30:02 25 74 Seth Miller (54) & Stephen Miller (56) 15:32:34 26 57 Dan Mecklenburg (59) & Jon Webb (61) 15:34:17 27 10 Joe Leusby (37) & Rob Shadley (37) 15:39:34 28 35 Ryan Childs (48) & Zachary Childs (19) 15:40:42 29 92 Brian Jones (37) & Gwen Hills (37) 15:41:07 30 81 Greg Zophy (64) & Jeremiah Menk (44) 15:42:37 31 45 Dan Goltz (50) & Judson Steinback (40) 15:44:26 32 31 Fred Kueffer (42) & Kira Stolen (49) 15:47:00 33 70 Benjamin Tarbutton (36) & David Smith (37) 15:49:44 34 40 Fred Mills (67) & Tim McClure (63) 15:52:00 35 43 Mike Hartman (45) & Sean Casey (43) 15:54:43 36 79 Doug Moggo (59) & Josh Moggo (29) 15:55:53 37 19 Kaitlin Mynar (30) & Virginia Condie (42) 15:56:08 38 86 Chris Broderson (52) & Emily Broderson (43) 15:57:49 39 23 Kevin Olson (34) & Sylvie Nadeau (46) 15:59:55 40 87 Nathan Tart (41) & Shannon Issendorf (38) 16:03:48