See all 3 routes on Clinton River
Michigan | Southeast Michigan
Clinton River
Downtown Utica to Budd Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Clinton River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
Today
Get the answer fast, then scan the route.
Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Use this as the upper Macomb Clinton River access-planner corridor from Downtown Utica to Budd Park, with North Clinton River Park and Rotary Park options.
Plan a shorter segmentOptional
Access planner
Pick a shorter segment
This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
Peltier Lake to Long Lake is the full route. Shorter access pairs are useful when wind, time, or group energy changes the plan.
Put-in
Downtown Utica water-trail accessOpen mapPublic access rules, park hours, and construction can change quickly in this urban corridor.
Take-out
Budd Park carry-in launchOpen mapThe full corridor is a planning envelope; shorter access pairs are usually more practical.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Public access rules, park hours, and construction can change quickly in this urban corridor.
- The full corridor is a planning envelope; shorter access pairs are usually more practical.
- Stay with mapped water-trail accesses rather than private banks.
Watch for
- High, fast water and woody debris after rain.
- Bridge current, blind bends, and urban stormwater.
- Low-water scraping near the low warning.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
No approved route photos yet
Start the gallery with shots of the access, river character, or any detail that helps paddlers know what this run actually looks like.
Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Clinton River at Sterling Heights, MI |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 8.00 ft to 10.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 8.00 ft |
| High threshold | 10.00 ft |
| Data confidence behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Clinton River Watershed Council Sterling Heights gauge warnings |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Planner corridorDowntown Utica water-trail access to Budd Park carry-in launch, with intermediate access choices
This route replaces overlapping access-to-access cards with one access-planner corridor.
- Gauge modelClinton River at Sterling Heights, MI
The consolidated route keeps the same reviewed gauge model used by the replaced route cards.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- CRWC paddling and gauge warnings
- 2024 Clinton River Water Trail map PDF
- Michigan Water Trails Downtown Utica
- Michigan Water Trails Clinton River Water Trail
- City of Sterling Heights canoe and kayak page
- Macomb County Clinton River overview
- USGS 04161820 Clinton River at Sterling Heights
- CRWC Clinton River Water Trail guide book
- Outdoor Michigan Clinton River
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Clinton River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Clinton River?
Paddle Today watches Clinton River at Sterling Heights, MI and treats 8.00 ft to 10.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Clinton River route start and end?
This route starts at Downtown Utica water-trail access and ends at Budd Park carry-in launch, about About 11.8 mi for the full corridor; choose a shorter segment in the access planner on the water.
Is this Clinton River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.