Manistee River Flow Today
As of October 2, 2026 at 2:45 AM, the Manistee River is flowing at 1,680 cfs near Wellston, MI — 108% of normal for the date and up 4% in 24 hours. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 1,010 to 1,680 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Manistee River map
See the Manistee River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
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Manistee 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 Wellston, the Manistee River is running 1,680 cfs — 108% of normal, up 4% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 3 reporting gauges are near normal (the typical gauge is at 108% of normal).
Paddlers: 0 of 1 runs on the Manistee River with a live range are in range, 1 too low.
How the Manistee 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
- Sherman820 ft 1,010 cfs110%
- Mesick754 ft 1,090 cfs104%
- Wellston621 ft 1,680 cfs108%
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 Manistee River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (108%).
Manistee River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Manistee River Near Sherman MI
Oct 2, 2:45 AM · USGS 04124000 |
1,010 cfs | 110% | +7% | 12.00 ft | 3.0 ft below | 820 ft |
|
Manistee River Near Mesick MI
Oct 2, 2:45 AM · USGS 04124200 |
1,090 cfs | 104% | -5% | 3.67 ft | · | 754 ft |
|
Manistee River Near Wellston MI
Oct 2, 2:45 AM · USGS 04125550 |
1,680 cfs | 108% | +4% | 8.81 ft | · | 621 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.
Paddle runs on the Manistee River
Each run is checked against its runnable range using the gauge it is keyed to (or the nearest gauge on this river).
| Run | Status | Flow now | Runnable range | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Road Bridge (2 Miles West Of Town Of Luther In T19N, R12W To Slackwater Of The State Fish Weir In T21N, R16W Gauge: Wellston |
Too low | 1,680 cfs | 1,775–2,454 cfs typical | III–II |
Dams & reservoirs on the Manistee River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Manistee River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Manistee River
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.
Fishing near the Manistee River
About the Manistee River
How is the Manistee River flowing right now?
As of October 2, 2026, the Manistee River is flowing at 1,680 cfs near Wellston, MI, about 108% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 1,010 to 1,680 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Manistee River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Manistee River is at 108% 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 Manistee River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Sherman (15.0 ft), . The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Manistee River runnable for paddling today?
Each run in the paddle table is checked against its runnable range using its gauge's live flow.
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.