Memories of the Rouge River
For over ten years, my 6th graders and I tested the Rouge River every spring. We
tested at several sites including Heritage Woods in Farmington Hills and Ford Field in
Dearborn. Enthusiasm always ran high and there were a number of ‘dunkings’ along
the way. While that was not dangerous with the exception of wet clothes, I remember
when I was growing up in Dearborn, the Rouge River was always there tempting us.
Our parents warned us of dire consequences if we played in the water or, heaven forbid,
got any water in our mouths. We waded in the river in spite of repeated warnings,
hopping from stone to stone and exploring along the banks from Ford Field to
Telegraph. No one we knew ever got sick. The reality was that the river was polluted
and our parents were wise to urge care.
Years later when my classes were involved with FOTR, I developed a questionnaire for
the students to circulate as part of the unit. There were several questions about the
Rouge River and how clean and safe it was and what life did it support.
The students were directed to circulate the questionaire to three groups of people:
young person in school, their parents and an older person like their grandparents.
When the results were tabulated inevitably the oldest generation still thought of the
Rouge River as dangerously polluted and that it must be avoided. The middle
generation, parents of my students, had mixed opinions, but exhibited a somewhat
more positive outlook. They thought the river was getting better. Students were by far
the most hopeful and thought that the Rouge River was safe for canoeing. Some had
heard about the Rouge River Clean-up campaign and thought it was very effective.
The testing program in the schools and a yearly clean-up day has worked wonders our much loved urban river. Real world science is a superior experience!
Judy Morlan
Retired middle school science teacher
Member of the REP Task Force
Celebrating 25 Years 