Shiawassee River
Livingston / Shiawassee Co. · 100 mi · Class Riffles
2,390CFS/ 6.57 ft
Above Optimal
Stable· -40 cfs in 3h
Optimal: 200–1000 CFS · USGS #04144500
Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
100 mi
Length
Class Riffles
Difficulty
200–1000 cfs
Optimal
480 cfs
Avg Flow
432 cfs
Hist. Median
#04144500
USGS Gauge
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (lower reach)

Flowing through mid-Michigan to the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, this river offers gentle paddling through farmland and wetlands with excellent birding opportunities. Its 100-mile course drifts from gentle meanders between Holly and Byron down to the wider wetland corridor of the refuge. The lower reach is one of the premier wildlife-viewing paddles in the Lower Peninsula.

Trip sections
Upper — Holly to Byron, gentle meanders through farmland
Lower — Byron to Shiawassee NWR, wetland paddling and birding
Outfitters
Shiawassee River Paddle Co.
Canoe and kayak rentals in Shiawassee County
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.