Flat River
Montcalm / Ionia Co. · 80 mi · Class Riffles
11,200CFS/ 19.28 ft
Flood→Stable· -200 cfs in 3h
Optimal: 200–800 CFS · USGS #04116000
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Michigan Designated Trout Stream (upper reach)
A central Lower Peninsula gem, the Flat River flows past the historic Fallasburg Covered Bridge and offers excellent smallmouth bass and steelhead fishing. Gentle Class I-II water through rolling farmland and hardwood forest.
Trip sections
Upper — Greenville to Belding, gentle meanders
Middle — Belding to Fallasburg, covered bridge and light rapids
Lower — Fallasburg to Lowell, confluence with Grand River
Outfitters
Double R Ranch Resort
Canoe and kayak rentals on the Flat River
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
See 10 years of flow patterns for this river — historical analysis is a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
Your Optimal Range
Set your personal optimal CFS window per river — custom ranges are a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
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.