Gauge Description:
* Gauge shown is for the Ford River, which is an adjacent watershed (at the headwaters of both streams), 30 miles to the East.
Direct correlation between the two streams is unlikely, but the cited gauge should be an indicator of general flow in the Sturgeon (i.e. high/moderate/low).
Drainage area of the Sturgeon (at Hwy.2, downstream of this reach) is 389 square miles, while the Ford at it's gauge is 450 square miles, suggesting flow in the Sturgeon might roughly correlate to 80% of the flow of the Ford gauge.
Min/Max (as currently set) are tentative (guesses). The majority of the run will undeniably be boatable higher (than set 'max'), but the final drop sequence will contain dynamic, sticky holes and will be a portage for most mortal boaters.
Historical flow records for the Sturgeon indicate that it should hold a runnable flow from ice-out into June, and thereafter will likely come to life regularly following summer thunderstorms.
Gauge Information
| Name |
Range |
Difficulty |
Updated |
Level |
|
FORD RIVER NEAR HYDE, MI
|
|
usgs-04059500 |
250 - 1000 cfs
|
II-III+ |
63d13h12m |
~ 254
cfs
(rc= 0.0 ) |
Unconfirmed. Probably best flows for whitewater on this reach. (Likely 200-500 cfs.) We need your comments and reports to refine runnable ranges. |
Sturgeon (389 sq.mi. at Hwy.2, downstream of this reach) might roughly correlate to 80% of the flow of the Ford gauge (450 sq.mi. drainage).
|
| Range | Water Level | Difficulty | Comment |
|---|
|
0 - 250
cfs |
extremely Low-barely Low |
II(III) |
Unconfirmed. Probably too low for best whitewater experience on this reach. (Likely less than 200 cfs.) We need your comments and reports to refine runnable ra |
|
250 - 625
cfs |
barely runnable-perfect runnable |
II-III+ |
Unconfirmed. Probably best flows for whitewater on this reach. (Likely 200-500 cfs.) We need your comments and reports to refine runnable ranges. |
|
625 -1000
cfs |
perfect runnable-high runnable |
III-IV |
Unconfirmed. Probably running big and pushy for this reach. (Likely 500-800 cfs.) We need your comments and reports to refine runnable ranges. |
|
1000 -4000
cfs |
somewhat High-somewhat High |
III-IV+ |
Unconfirmed. Probably unusually high, big and pushy. (Likely 800-1600 cfs.) We need your comments and reports to refine runnable ranges. |
|
4000 -10000
cfs |
somewhat High-extremely High |
III-IV |
Unconfirmed. Probably epic (near record) flows. (Likely in excess of 1600cfs.) We need your comments and reports to refine runnable ranges. |
|
Report - Reports of Sturgeon (Dickinson) Sturgeon Dam (1.7 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
