Clinton River Flow Today
As of November 1, 2026 at 2:30 AM, the Clinton River is flowing at 127 cfs near Fraser, MI — 38% of normal for the date and down 6% in 24 hours. 3 of 4 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 32 to 127 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Clinton River map
See the Clinton River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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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 Fraser, the Clinton River is running 127 cfs — 38% of normal, down 6% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 3 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 34% of normal).
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
- Auburn Hills846 ft 32 cfs25%
- Sterling Heights612 ft 84 cfs34%
- Fraser586 ft 127 cfs38%
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 (34%).
Clinton River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Clinton River At Auburn Hills MI
Nov 1, 3:00 AM · USGS 04161000 |
32 cfs | 25% | +3% | 1.01 ft | · | 846 ft |
|
Clinton River At Sterling Heights MI
Nov 1, 3:00 AM · USGS 04161820 |
84 cfs | 34% | -9% | 7.51 ft | · | 612 ft |
|
Clinton River Near Fraser MI
Nov 1, 2:30 AM · USGS 04164000 |
127 cfs | 38% | -6% | 5.48 ft | 10.5 ft below | 586 ft |
|
Clinton River At Moravian Drive At Mount Clemens MI
Last reported Oct 22 · USGS 04165500 |
264 cfs | · | · | 4.90 ft | flood 16.0 ft | 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.
Dams & reservoirs on the Clinton River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Clinton River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
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.
Fishing near the Clinton River
About the Clinton River
How is the Clinton River flowing right now?
As of November 1, 2026, the Clinton River is flowing at 127 cfs near Fraser, MI, about 38% of normal for the date. Across its 4 USGS gauges, current flows range from 32 to 127 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 34% 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.