Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

Levels from around 200 to 500 cfs should provide good flows for most groups though it has been run much higher.

Boaters historically (while the USGS gauge was inactive) have measured down from the bridge deck on a road off of Hwy 513. Readings on the order of 13'(156") down are taken as runnable.
-153" is about 350cfs.

Note: Be aware that indication of a 'runnable' level does not mean that the river is necessarily runnable. In winter, readings may be 'ice affected', and/or sections of the river may be impassable due to ice.

Offseason ('Ice') stage-gauge conversions
2.75 = 451 cfs
2.50 = 371 cfs
2.25 = 300 cfs
2.00 = 236 cfs
1.75 = 180 cfs

Gauge/flow analysis (based on gauge data 1954.10 to 1982.09, and 2000.10 to 2008.09 )
Drainage area at gauge200 sq.mi.
Minimum mean daily flow during gauge period6.6 cfs ( 2007.09.06)
90% of time flow exceeds29 cfs
10% of time flow exceeds553 cfs
Maximum mean daily flow during gauge period12,700 cfs ( 1960.04.28)
10/90 ratio ('flashy-ness')
(under 3 is fairly steady, over 10 is quite 'flashy')		19.1

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
BLACK RIVER NEAR BESSEMER, MI
usgs-04031000 200 - 500 cfs IV-V(V+) 71d01h19m 93 cfs (rc= -0.4 )
Gauge (200 sq.mi. drainage) is about 15 mi. upstream, and a number of decent tribs come in. Actual flows are thus likely a good bit higher than gauge reading.
RangeWater LevelDifficultyComment
200 - 500 cfs barely runnable-high runnable IV-V(V+)

Report - Reports of Black D) Lower: Conglomerate Falls to Lake Superior (2.0-2.6 miles) and related gauges

Reports give the public a chance to report on river conditions throughout the country as well as log the history of a river.

Reports

When River/Gauge Subject Level Reporter
Black River [MI] Gorge Falls 270cfs Brock Royer
Black [MI] Hoisting the boats over the put in gate n/a Steve Corsi
Black [MI] Sandstone Falls 180 cfs Mark Mastalski
Black River [MI] Rainbow Falls very low Rob Smage
5y311d20h17m Presque Isle [MN] C.J. Arnold Gorge Falls 300cfs Chris Arnold
6y300d20h17m Black [MI] Staging for the Black 200 cfs Steve Corsi
8y263d20h17m Black [MI] Rainbow Falls 300cfs Nate Alwine
9y285d12h17m Black [MI] Black 315 cfs Rob Smage
> 10 years Black River [MI] Paddling at the base of Gorge Falls. n/a Mark Mastalski