Ontonagon River Flow Today
As of October 6, 2026 at 2:15 AM, the Ontonagon River is flowing at 498 cfs near Rockland, MI — 68% of normal for the date and up 2% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite
Ontonagon River map
See the Ontonagon 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
✓ Free for 7 days · ✓ Cancel anytime
Ontonagon 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 Rockland, the Ontonagon River is running 498 cfs — 68% of normal, up 2% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 68% of normal).
Paddlers: 1 of 1 runs on the Ontonagon River with a live range are in range.
How the Ontonagon 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
- Rockland670 ft 498 cfs68%
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 Ontonagon River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (68%).
Ontonagon River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ontonagon River Near Rockland MI
Oct 6, 2:15 AM · USGS 04040000 |
498 cfs | 68% | +2% | 5.27 ft | 19.7 ft below | 670 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 Ontonagon River
1 of 1 run is in range right now. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Branch,Confluence Of Cisco Branch And Tenmile Creek To Confluence With West Branch Gauge: Rockland |
In range | 498 cfs | 444–4,007 cfs typical | III–III+ |
Dams & reservoirs on the Ontonagon River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Ontonagon River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river (this total last updated earlier; the live gauge readings above are current).
Ontonagon River
The Ontonagon River is a 114-mile-long river located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Historically, the river was an important transportation route for Native American tribes and fur traders. Today, it is primarily used for recreational purposes such as fishing, kayaking, and camping. The river flows into Lake Superior and is fed by several streams and tributaries. Despite its length, the Ontonagon River has a relatively low discharge, making it susceptible to droughts and low water levels. Several dams and reservoirs have been constructed along the river, including the Victoria Dam and the Bond Falls Reservoir, which provide hydroelectric power and recreational opportunities. The river also supports agriculture, with some farms using its waters for irrigation purposes.
Fishing near the Ontonagon River
About the Ontonagon River
How is the Ontonagon River flowing right now?
As of October 6, 2026, the Ontonagon River is flowing at 498 cfs near Rockland, MI, about 68% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Ontonagon River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Ontonagon River is at 68% 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 Ontonagon River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Rockland (25.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Ontonagon River runnable for paddling today?
1 of 1 paddle run is in range right now. 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.