Muskegon River Flow Today
As of October 31, 2026 at 2:45 AM, the Muskegon River is flowing at 1,280 cfs near Croton, MI — 77% of normal for the date. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 640 to 1,280 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Muskegon River map
See the Muskegon 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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Muskegon 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 Croton, the Muskegon River is running 1,280 cfs — 77% of normal. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 78% of normal).
Paddlers: 0 of 2 runs on the Muskegon River with a live range are in range, 2 too low.
How the Muskegon 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
- Evart997 ft 640 cfs80%
- Croton685 ft 1,280 cfs77%
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 Muskegon River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (78%).
Muskegon River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Muskegon River At Evart MI
Oct 31, 2:45 AM · USGS 04121500 |
640 cfs | 80% | -2% | 7.13 ft | 4.9 ft below | 997 ft |
|
Muskegon River Near Croton MI
Oct 31, 2:45 AM · USGS 04121970 |
1,280 cfs | 77% | 0% | 4.73 ft | 4.3 ft below | 685 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 Muskegon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croton Dam In T12N, R11W To City Of Newaygo In T12N, R12W Gauge: Croton |
Too low | 1,280 cfs | 2,109–4,155 cfs typical | I–II |
| Morley Dam In T13N, R10W To Croton Dam Pond In T12N, R11W Gauge: Croton |
Too low | 1,280 cfs | 2,109–4,155 cfs typical | I–III |
Dams & reservoirs on the Muskegon River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Muskegon River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Muskegon River
The Muskegon River is a 227-mile-long river in western Michigan that flows from Houghton Lake to Lake Michigan. The river has been historically significant, serving as a major transportation route for Native American tribes and early European settlers. Today, the Muskegon River is primarily used for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and tubing. The river is home to several reservoirs and dams, including the Croton Dam, Hardy Dam, and Newaygo Dam. These dams provide hydroelectric power and flood control, but have also impacted the river's ecosystem. The river is also used for irrigation in agriculture. Despite its historical and recreational significance, the Muskegon River faces challenges such as pollution, erosion, and invasive species. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect and restore the river's ecosystem.
Fishing near the Muskegon River
About the Muskegon River
How is the Muskegon River flowing right now?
As of October 31, 2026, the Muskegon River is flowing at 1,280 cfs near Croton, MI, about 77% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 640 to 1,280 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Muskegon River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Muskegon River is at 78% 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 Muskegon River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Evart (12.0 ft), Croton (9.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Muskegon 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.