St. Clair River Closed this Sunday for Float Down Event

2021 Float Down Port Huron

St. Clair River Closed this Sunday for Float Down Event

August 12, 2020 – The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards will close down the St. Clair River this Sunday on August 16, 2020 for the annual “unsanctioned” Float Down event.  The River will be closed from the Blue Water Bridge to the upper end of Stag Island near Marysville, MI between noon and 7 p.m.

**Due to COVID 19, the Canadian Royal Mounted Police has issued guidelines below for accidental entrance into Canada property by any U.S. participants.

Float Down St. Clair River

The float down occurs each 3rd Sunday in August drawing approximately 5000 brave people on “non-motorized” vessels, rafts, and a variety of anything that floats!  The St. Clair River is the border between Canada and the United States (Michigan).  For safety the St. Clair River is closed to ALL motorized vessels including freighter traffic.

Good viewing of this event on the Michigan side can be done along the Blue River Walk boardwalks of Port Huron near the Blue Water Bridge, and downtown in front of the Maritime Center at the corner of the Black River on the St. Clair River.

**This year COVID-19 creates additional concerns for those US participants who float into Canadian waters.  According to the Canadian Royal Mounted Police Facebook page:

If you are a US participant in the Float Down and you venture into Canadian waters or unintentionally land on Canadian Shores, we remind you:

– You are subject to Canadian law respecting immigration, customs, firearms, controlled substances, alcohol, etc.

– You will complete COVID-19 health screening and a customs examination.

– You will be required to provide photo ID

– Any person who refuses to be screened under the Quarantine Act will be arrested under the powers provided in Section 18 of the Quarantine Act.

– U.S. citizens that land in Canada unintentionally will be arrested pursuant to IRPA Section 55(2) and will be transported back to the United States.

– Those being transported back to the United States will be required to wear a mask.

The RCMP is working to do our part to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to Canadians.