Muskegon River
Mecosta / Newaygo / Muskegon Co. · 216 mi · Class Riffles
5,430CFS/ 8.05 ft
Above Optimal
↑Rising slowly (+50 cfs/hr)· +60 cfs in 3h
Water temp: 44°F — Hypothermia risk, wear a drysuit
Optimal: 800–3000 CFS · USGS #04121970
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
216 mi
Length
Class Riffles
Difficulty
800–3000 cfs
Optimal
1,840 cfs
Avg Flow
1,650 cfs
Hist. Median
#04121970
USGS Gauge
Michigan Designated Trout Stream (lower reach)

Michigan's longest river entirely within the state, running 216 miles from Houghton Lake to Muskegon Lake. Below Croton Dam, the lower reach is a Michigan Designated Trout Stream with world-class steelhead and Chinook salmon runs. The world's first logging railroad was built in 1876 specifically to feed logs into the Muskegon system.

Trip sections
Upper — Houghton Lake to Newaygo
Lower — Croton Dam to Muskegon Lake
Outfitters
Sawmill Canoe Rental
Day trips, family-friendly
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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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.