Michigan | Southwest Michigan
Paw Paw River
Riverside Kayak Park to Graham Avenue Water Access
Check current paddling conditions for this Paw Paw 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
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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
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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
This approximately 11-mile Paw Paw River Water Trail route links Riverside Kayak Park with Graham Avenue and direct USGS 04102500 telemetry. The advanced upstream section has tree fall and slide-overs; 6 ft at Riverside is conservative community planning guidance, not a safety guarantee.
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
Riverside Kayak Park public dock and carry-in accessRiverside Kayak Park has a public dock and parking; verify carry and parking conditions before loading boats.
Take-out
Graham Avenue public boat launch, Benton HarborGraham Avenue has a developed public launch and parking fee; stage the take-out before launch.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Riverside Kayak Park has a public dock and parking; verify carry and parking conditions before loading boats.
- Graham Avenue has a developed public launch and parking fee; stage the take-out before launch.
- Do not assume intermediate take-outs on the nine-mile Riverside-to-Benton Harbor section; portage or turn around when wood blocks the channel.
- Avoid the St. Joseph River confluence and railroad-trestle area unless separately planned for larger current and motorized traffic.
Watch for
- Tree falls, slide-overs, shallow water, cold water, and rapid rises after storms.
- Limited take-outs and shuttle dependence.
- Open-water and motorized-traffic hazards near the Graham Avenue/St. Joseph River end.
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.
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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 | Paw Paw River at Riverside, 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 |
| Ideal range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 6.00 ft |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Southwest Michigan Paddling Paw Paw River Riverside gauge guidance |
| 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 route and endpointsRiverside Kayak Park to Graham Avenue; approximately 11 river miles
Michigan Water Trails identifies Riverside as the put-in and Graham Avenue as the 11-mile take-out; the Southwest Michigan guide lists the same corridor.
- Public access and coordinatesRiverside Kayak Park to Graham Avenue public access
Michigan Water Trails publishes GPS coordinates and access descriptions for both endpoints.
- Live gauge and thresholdUSGS 04102500; 6 ft community planning break
USGS provides direct gauge data and Southwest Michigan Paddling describes the six-foot Riverside break; neither is a safety guarantee.
- Safety and route characterAdvanced/expert wood-obstacle reach with downstream open-water and motorized-traffic caveats
Michigan Water Trails and the Two Rivers Coalition paddle plan document tree fall, limited take-outs, shuttle needs, and the open-water finish.
- Camping and logisticsDay route with designated nearby campgrounds and mandatory shuttle planning
Use designated Paw Paw River campgrounds or lodging; no informal riverbank camping is assumed.
- 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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Quick answers
Paw Paw River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Paw Paw River?
Paddle Today watches Paw Paw River at Riverside, MI and uses 6.00 ft as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Paw Paw River route start and end?
This route starts at Riverside Kayak Park public dock and carry-in access and ends at Graham Avenue public boat launch, Benton Harbor, about Approximately 11 river miles on the water.
Is this Paw Paw 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.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.