MICHIGAN RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
December 21, 2024
40.74, -106.27


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

Total streamflow across the Michigan River was last observed at 156 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 310 acre-ft of water today; about 133% of normal. River levels are high. Average streamflow for this time of year is 118 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2019-06-23 when daily discharge volume was observed at 1,084 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Michigan River Near Cameron Pass reporting a streamflow rate of 0.3 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Michigan River At Walden with a gauge stage of 2.68 ft. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Michigan River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 10,377 ft, the Michigan River Near Cameron Pass.

The Michigan River is a 49-mile-long river located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The river was historically used for logging, and several sawmills were established along its banks in the late 1800s. The Michigan River is fed by several tributaries, including the Sturgeon River and the East Branch of the Ontonagon River. There are several dams on the Michigan River, including the Bond Falls Dam, which creates Bond Falls Reservoir, a popular recreational area for fishing, kayaking, and picnicking. The river is also used for hydroelectric power generation, with several power plants located along its length. The Michigan River is an important source of irrigation for agriculture in the region, and several farms are located along its banks. Overall, the Michigan River is an important natural resource for the Upper Peninsula and plays a significant role in the region's history, economy, and recreational opportunities.

Last Updated 2024-10-24
Discharge Volume 310 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 156.45 cfs
+147.23 cfs (+1596.85%)
Percent of Normal 132.77%
Maximum 1,083.9 cfs
2019-06-23
Seasonal Avg 118 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Michigan River Near Cameron Pass
USGS 06614800
0 cfs 2.06 ft 0
Michigan River At Walden
USGS 06617100
-999 cfs 2.68 ft None
History of the River

The Michigan River is a tributary of the North Platte River, approximately 69 miles (111 km) long, in north central Colorado in the United States. It drains a rural part of the eastern side of North Park in eastern Jackson County. The river issues from Michigan Lakes, a chain of alpine lakes at 11,208 ft (3,416 m), along the continental divide in southeast Jackson County just east of Nokhu Crags. It descends north then west to flow past the south end of Cameron Pass, and descends from the pass along the route of State Highway 14, past Gould, then northwest through the ranch country of North Park, where it becomes a largely braided stream with a wide river bottom. It passes just east of Walden, and receives the Illinois River from the south just north of Walden. It joins the North Platte from the south approximately 5 miles (8 km) downstream to the north.

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