What water level is good for paddling Au Sable River — Mio Dam to McKinley Bridge?

This section is generally runnable at 300–3,000 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 04136500 — 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 — Mio Dam to McKinley 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 — Mio Dam to McKinley Bridge?

This reach is about 13 miles, roughly 5.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Au Sable River — Mio Dam to McKinley Bridge: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I13 mi · ~5.5 hrAu Sable RiverMichigan

Verdict · updated Aug 26, 5:00 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

973 cfs

3.1 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 04136500

Runnable 300 – 3,000 cfs

03003,0003,540

What this means today

At 973 cfs the Au Sable River is sitting in the middle of the 300 cfs–3,000 cfs range for this reach, with 673 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, 1,050 cfs to 973 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 851 cfs and 1,180 cfs, 13% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Mio Dam to McKinley Bridge

Au Sable River at Mio Dam to McKinley Bridge is a 13-mile Class I run in Michigan — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Mio Dam access and take out at McKinley Bridge, a trip that runs about 5.5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 300–3,000 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 04136500 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: 13 mi
Float time: ~5.5 hr
Best months: May–October
Put-in: Mio Dam access
Take-out: McKinley Bridge

Reading USGS gauge 04136500 — AU SABLE RIVER AT MIO, MI ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Au Sable River — Mio Dam to McKinley Bridge?: This section is generally runnable at 300–3,000 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 04136500 — 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 — Mio Dam to McKinley 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 — Mio Dam to McKinley Bridge?: This reach is about 13 miles, roughly 5.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 831 cfs