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River report

Clinton River Flow Today

As of October 11, 2026 at 2:18 AM, the Clinton River is flowing at 193 cfs at Mount Clemens, MI — 75% of normal for the date and down 9% in 24 hours. 4 of 4 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 25 to 193 cfs. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
4 4 reporting · upstream → down
Clinton River At Auburn Hills: 32% of normalClinton River At Sterling Heights: 65% of normalClinton River Near Fraser: 67% of normalClinton River At Moravian Drive At Mount Clemens: 75% of normal
Typical gauge
66% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
193cfs Mount Clemens
Updated
Oct 11, 2:18 AM
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:

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River briefing · Oct 12, 2026

Clinton River conditions today

Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.

At Mount Clemens, the Clinton River is running 193 cfs — 75% of normal, down 9% since yesterday. Along the river, 4 of 4 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 66% of normal).

In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Auburn Hills (-37%).

Highest against normal: Mount Clemens at 75%. Lowest: Auburn Hills at 32%.

Headwaters to mouth

How the Clinton River compares to normal

Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.

Flow along the river, upstream to downstream

  1. Auburn Hills846 ft 25 cfs32%
  2. Sterling Heights612 ft 99 cfs65%
  3. Fraser586 ft 139 cfs67%
  4. Mount Clemens574 ft 193 cfs75%

Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.

Where every gauge sits

One dot per Clinton River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (66%).

Typical gauge 66%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal1Below normal3Near normal0Above normal0Much above normal0

Clinton River flow report

4 gauges
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height To flood stage Elevation
Clinton River At Auburn Hills MI
Oct 11, 3:00 AM · USGS 04161000
25 cfs 32% -37% 0.92 ft · 846 ft
Clinton River At Sterling Heights MI
Oct 11, 3:00 AM · USGS 04161820
99 cfs 65% -8% 7.60 ft · 612 ft
Clinton River Near Fraser MI
Oct 11, 2:30 AM · USGS 04164000
139 cfs 67% -9% 5.58 ft 10.4 ft below 586 ft
Clinton River At Moravian Drive At Mount Clemens MI
Oct 11, 2:18 AM · USGS 04165500
193 cfs 75% -9% 5.21 ft 10.8 ft below 574 ft

USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.

Upstream storage

Dams & reservoirs on the Clinton River

Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.

History

Clinton River streamflow over time

Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.

Maximum streamflow by year

About this river

Clinton River

The Clinton River is a 79-mile-long river that flows through southeastern Michigan, starting in northern Oakland County and ending in Lake St. Clair. The river was named after DeWitt Clinton, a former governor of New York. The river is part of the larger Lake St. Clair watershed and is fed by numerous tributaries.

There are several reservoirs along the Clinton River, including the Yates Cider Mill Reservoir, the Sylvan Glen Lake, and the Dodge #4 State Park Reservoir. Additionally, there are several dams on the river, including the Auburn Hills Municipal Dam, the Lake Oakland Dam, and the Yates Cider Mill Dam.

The Clinton River is a popular spot for recreational activities, including kayaking, fishing, and nature hikes. The river also serves as a water source for several communities in the area and is used for agricultural irrigation. Throughout its history, the Clinton River has played an important role in the development of the region, from powering mills during the Industrial Revolution to serving as a crucial transportation route.

Around the river

Fishing near the Clinton River

FAQ

About the Clinton River

How is the Clinton River flowing right now?

As of October 11, 2026, the Clinton River is flowing at 193 cfs at Mount Clemens, MI, about 75% of normal for the date. Across its 4 USGS gauges, current flows range from 25 to 193 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.

Is the Clinton River running high or low?

The typical gauge on the Clinton River is at 66% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.

What is flood stage on the Clinton River?

The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Fraser (16.0 ft), Mount Clemens (16.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.

Where does the data come from?

Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.

Can I get alerts for a gauge?

Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.

More river levels

Rivers in Michigan