MANISTEE RIVER

River Levels Streamflow Hydrology
November 21, 2024

TOTAL DISCHARGE (CFS)

SUMMARY

Last Updated 2024-11-20
Discharge Volume 4,096 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 2,065.0 cfs
-1313.0 cfs (-38.87%)
Percent of Normal 47.99%
Maximum 13,750.0 cfs
2014-04-15
Seasonal Avg 4,303 cfs

Total streamflow across the Manistee River was last observed at 2,065 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 4,096 acre-ft of water today; about 48% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 4,303 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2014-04-15 when daily discharge volume was observed at 13,750 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Manistee River Near Wellston reporting a streamflow rate of 1,440 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Manistee River Near Sherman with a gauge stage of 11.6 ft. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Manistee River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 820 ft, the Manistee River Near Sherman.

The Manistee River is a 190-mile-long river in Michigan that flows through the northern part of the state. It has a rich history, having been used by Native Americans for hunting, fishing, and transportation. The river has also been used for logging and the transportation of timber during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Manistee River is fed by numerous tributaries and flows into Lake Michigan. It is known for its clear water, which is ideal for fishing and water-based recreational activities. The river passes through several reservoirs and dams, including the Tippy Dam, Hodenpyl Dam, and the Manistee River Backwaters. These dams provide hydroelectric power and are also used for flood control.

The Manistee River is a popular destination for recreational activities, including fishing, kayaking, and camping. The area surrounding the river is also used for agriculture, with many farmers growing crops and raising livestock in the fertile land nearby. Overall, the Manistee River remains an important resource for the state of Michigan and the people who live there.

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Manistee River Near Sherman
USGS 04124000
871 cfs 11.6 ft 0.35
Manistee River Near Mesick
USGS 04124200
934 cfs 3.55 ft -11.19
Manistee River Near Wellston
USGS 04125550
1440 cfs 8.65 ft -23.08
History of the River

The Manistee River in the U.S. state of Michigan, runs 190 miles (310 km) through the northwestern Lower Peninsula; it now passes through the contemporary villages of Sharon, Smithville, and Mesick, entering Lake Michigan at Manistee. It is considered, like the nearby Au Sable River, to be one of the best trout fisheries east of the Rockies.
The river rises in the sand hills in southeastern Antrim County, on the border with Otsego County, about 6 miles (10 km) southeast of the town of Alba. These deep glacial sands provide it with a remarkably stable flow of clean cold water year round, making it a popular river for fishing as well as canoeing. Over the course of its length, it drops in elevation from around 1,250 to 579 feet (381 to 176 m), with an average stream gradient of about 2.9 feet per mile (55 cm/km).

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Watershed River Levels

845

Cubic Feet Per Second

802

Cubic Feet Per Second

85

Cubic Feet Per Second

865

Cubic Feet Per Second