The Shortest River in Michigan is Only 1,500 Feet Long

Michigan has over 300 rivers...ones that have been named, anyway. As far as our longest river? It’s been done to death...but what about Michigan’s smallest river?

Our state has quite a few short rivers, and I won’t name them all...so let’s dwindle the number down to four.

1) The Cut River is found in the Upper Peninsula in Mackinac County and is four miles long. Don’t confuse this with the one in Roscommon County.
2) Then there is the Torch River which flows for just 2.1 miles, running through Antrim and Kalkaska counties.
3) Even smaller is the Bell River in Presque Isle County. It is less than one mile long.

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But there is one even smaller than those: The Pine River in Charlevoix County at only 1,500 feet. If you try to Google it, there are a total of six ‘Pine Rivers’ in Michigan. The other five are Alcona & Iosco counties, Arenac County, Chippewa & Mackinac counties, Lake-Manistee-Osceola-Wexford counties, and Marquette County. There is also a Pine Creek in Gratiot County.

The ‘river’ was cut as a channel between Round Lake and Lake Michigan in 1869 to open up world commerce to Lake Charlevoix. This little channel is called ‘Pine River’.

However, the original (Charlevoix County) Pine River flowed from Lake Charlevoix – with Round Lake part of the river. But the U.S. Board on Geographic Names says that has changed. They say the length of Pine River now begins on the west side of Round Lake, and flows 1,500 feet to Lake Michigan. Don’t agree? Take it up with them, not me.

Photos of the Pine River are seen below.