Manistee River River Levels

Last Updated: January 4, 2026

The Manistee River is a 190-mile-long river in Michigan that flows through the northern part of the state.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Manistee River was last observed at 2,434 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 4,828 acre-ft of water today; about 63% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 3,858 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 1,500 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Manistee River Near Sherman with a gauge stage of 14.12 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.

River Details

Last Updated 2026-01-04
Discharge Volume 4,828 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 2,434.0 cfs
+386.0 cfs (+18.85%)
Percent of Normal 63.08%
Maximum 13,750.0 cfs
2014-04-15
Seasonal Avg 3,858 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Manistee River Near Sherman
USGS 04124000
935 cfs 14.12 ft 0.97
Manistee River Near Mesick
USGS 04124200
934 cfs 3.55 ft 21.61
Manistee River Near Wellston
USGS 04125550
1500 cfs 8.7 ft 17.19
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

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).