Coldwater River
Branch / Calhoun Co. · 65 mi · Class Riffles
—CFS
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Optimal: 100–400 CFS · USGS #04104500
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
65 mi
Length
Class Riffles
Difficulty
100–400 cfs
Optimal
210 cfs
Avg Flow
195 cfs
Hist. Median
#04104500
USGS Gauge
None

A gentle southern Michigan stream flowing through the rolling farmland and woodlots of Branch and Calhoun counties. The Coldwater River is a reliable warm-weather paddle with easy riffles, consistent spring-fed flow, and good smallmouth bass fishing. A classic Midwestern farm-country canoe trip.

Trip sections
Coldwater to Quincy — 20 mi, town-to-country transition
Quincy to Union City — 25 mi, best paddling, wooded banks
Union City to Kalamazoo River confluence — 20 mi, wider valley
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.