Michigan | Southwest Michigan
Paw Paw RiverRiverside Kayak Park to Graham Avenue Water Access
An approximately 11-mile Paw Paw River Water Trail reach from Riverside Kayak Park to the public Graham Avenue access in Benton Harbor.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
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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.
Access map
Put-in
Riverside Kayak Park / universal-access dock areaMichigan Water Trails publishes the Riverside park GPS, not a surveyed dock-edge coordinate; follow the signed public universal-access dock, verify the under-50-yard 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.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Michigan Water Trails publishes the Riverside park GPS, not a surveyed dock-edge coordinate; follow the signed public universal-access dock, verify the under-50-yard 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.
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Paw Paw River at Riverside, MI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
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Score & sources
Why this score
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain 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 |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 6.00 ft |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| 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 a park/access-area GPS for Riverside, documents the universal-access dock and a carry under 50 yards, and describes the public endpoints. The GPS is not a surveyed dock edge.
- 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.
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
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Quick answers
Paw Paw River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Riverside Kayak Park to Graham Avenue Water Access route on the 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 the Riverside Kayak Park to Graham Avenue Water Access route on the Paw Paw River start and end?
This route starts at Riverside Kayak Park / universal-access dock area and ends at Graham Avenue public boat launch, Benton Harbor, Approximately 11 river miles on the water.
Is the Riverside Kayak Park to Graham Avenue Water Access route on the Paw Paw River suitable 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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