[2] For a time, an Indian Reservation named Pewonigowink (Biiwaanagoonying: By the Flinty [River]) existed near Genesee, Michigan.

[3] The Flint River drains 1,332 square miles (3,450 km2) of Michigan, in Lapeer, Genesee, Shiawassee, Saginaw, Oakland, Tuscola, and Sanilac counties.

The reservoir was constructed, originally, as a water supply for Flint, and to move the river through the city more quickly to dilute sewage.

Local attractions along the lake include Crossroads Village (home of the Huckleberry Railroad), Stepping Stone Falls, and the riverboat Genesee Belle.

A largely steel dam, it was completed in 1928 to prevent industrial discharges from entering the drinking water supply downstream.

Because of its dilapidation, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ordered that steps be taken by 2008, and if that did not occur that the river be lowered to reduce the use of the dam.

Continuing downstream, the river runs past Kettering University and McLaren Hospital, then into Flint Township and through Flushing.

[9][10] Chlorides do not pose a direct threat to fish, wildlife, or humans, but cause problems in that they corrode lead and other metals in piping and plumbing.

[13] The city issued a notice informing Flint residents of their water containing unlawful levels of trihalomethanes, a chlorine byproduct linked to cancer and other diseases.

[13] The Hurley Medical Center, in Flint, released a study in September 2015, which stated the proportion of infants and children with high concentrations of lead in their blood had nearly doubled since the city switched its water source.