What water level is good for paddling Au Sable River — Holy Waters (Grayling to Wakeley Bridge)?

This section is generally runnable at 250–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.

How do I check Au Sable River levels?

We read USGS gauge 04136000 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.

Is Au Sable River — Holy Waters (Grayling to Wakeley Bridge) good for beginners?

This section is rated Class I. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.

When is the best time to paddle Au Sable River here?

Typically May–October, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.

How long does it take to float Au Sable River — Holy Waters (Grayling to Wakeley Bridge)?

This reach is about 9 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Au Sable River — Holy Waters (Grayling to Wakeley Bridge): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I9 mi · ~4 hrAu Sable RiverMichigan

Verdict · updated Aug 26, 4:30 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

825 cfs

3.2 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 04136000

Runnable 250 – 2,500 cfs

02502,5002,950

What this means today

At 825 cfs the Au Sable River is sitting in the middle of the 250 cfs–2,500 cfs range for this reach, with 575 cfs of margin to the nearer edge — the most forgiving part of the window on the numbers alone.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 860 cfs to 825 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 726 cfs and 1,060 cfs, 18% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Holy Waters (Grayling to Wakeley Bridge)

Au Sable River at Holy Waters (Grayling to Wakeley Bridge) is a 9-mile Class I run in Michigan — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Burton's Landing and take out at Wakeley Bridge, a trip that runs about 4 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 250–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Au Sable River gets low and bony, so you end up scraping gravel and walking the shallows; well above the top of the range it turns fast, cold and pushy, which is a more serious day than most casual boaters want. We read USGS gauge 04136000 about every 30 minutes and compare the live number to that window, so the verdict at the top of this page reflects conditions right now rather than a monthly average.

Flows here are usually most dependable May–October. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.

7-day flow trend

Daily mean flow (cfs), past 7 days. Shaded band = runnable range.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class I
Length: 9 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: May–October
Put-in: Burton's Landing
Take-out: Wakeley Bridge

Reading USGS gauge 04136000 — AU SABLE RIVER NEAR RED OAK, MI ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Au Sable River — Holy Waters (Grayling to Wakeley Bridge)?: This section is generally runnable at 250–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.
How do I check Au Sable River levels?: We read USGS gauge 04136000 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.
Is Au Sable River — Holy Waters (Grayling to Wakeley Bridge) good for beginners?: This section is rated Class I. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.
When is the best time to paddle Au Sable River here?: Typically May–October, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.
How long does it take to float Au Sable River — Holy Waters (Grayling to Wakeley Bridge)?: This reach is about 9 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 980 cfs