Friends of the Rouge Promoting Environmental Awareness for 35 Years

Since 1986, Friends of the Rouge (FOTR) has been busily working to raise awareness of the need to clean up the Rouge River and restore and protect the Rouge River Watershed through stewardship, education, and cooperative efforts. The river runs 127 miles throughout metro Detroit.

The four main branches of the Rouge River cover the watershed, a 467-square mile area which drains into the Detroit River. Creeks, tributaries, lakes, and ponds abound and most of the lower and middle branches flow through land owned by Wayne County Parks. The watershed encompasses all or parts of 48 communities and t...