Michigan | Western Upper Peninsula
Iron River
Mattioli Park to Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail
Check current paddling conditions for this Iron River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
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
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Launch at Mattioli Park and take out at the Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail parking area. The short reach is the conservative default; the corridor can extend toward Museum Drive only after confirming flow, wood, and take-out logistics.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Mattioli Park public launchAmerican Whitewater provides the named access points and coordinates, but access signage and parking conditions can change; confirm the launch and trailhead before committing.
Take-out
Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail take-outThe gauge is at Caspian on the same Iron River system; use its 150-800 cfs band as tentative guidance, not a substitute for visual scouting.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- American Whitewater provides the named access points and coordinates, but access signage and parking conditions can change; confirm the launch and trailhead before committing.
- The gauge is at Caspian on the same Iron River system; use its 150-800 cfs band as tentative guidance, not a substitute for visual scouting.
- Use the named public endpoints and do not cross private frontage for improvised access.
Watch for
- Shallow water, shoals, a small ledge, strainers, and cold water.
- Fast rises after rain and changing wood in the Class I-II corridor.
- Below 150 cfs may be difficult; above the tentative band requires conservative same-day judgment.
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.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Iron River at Caspian, MI |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | 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 | 150 cfs to 800 cfs |
| Low threshold | 150 cfs |
| High threshold | 800 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater Iron River Caspian flow correlation |
| 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.
- Exact routeMattioli Park to Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail; 3 mi
American Whitewater documents the short Caspian reach and optional Museum Drive extension.
- Public endpointsMattioli Park put-in; Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail take-out
American Whitewater gives named access points, parking/carry notes, and coordinates for both ends.
- Live gauge and thresholdUSGS 04060500; 150-800 cfs tentative runnable band
American Whitewater embeds the Caspian gauge correlation and labels the flow ranges tentative.
- Camping and logisticsKlint Safford Memorial RV Park on the Iron River
Iron County identifies the designated RV park; do not assume informal riverbank camping.
- Image decisionNo external image copied
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Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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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
Iron River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Iron River?
Paddle Today watches Iron River at Caspian, MI and treats 150 cfs to 800 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Iron River route start and end?
This route starts at Mattioli Park public launch and ends at Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail take-out, about 3 mi on the water.
Is this Iron 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.