Michigan | West Michigan
Pere Marquette RiverCuster Weir & Boat Launch to Scottville Riverside Park
An approximately 8-mile Pere Marquette River reach from the public Custer Weir launch to Scottville Riverside Park, with direct Scottville gauge telemetry and an established canoe-livery trip corridor.
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Route location
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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
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
An approximately 8-mile Custer-to-Scottville Pere Marquette reach with public launches, direct USGS 04122500 telemetry, and established livery use. The 411 cfs lower-quartile and 342 cfs minimum references are conservative planning aids, not safety guarantees.
Access map
Put-in
Custer Weir & Boat Launch public accessCuster Weir has paved launches and parking; verify seasonal access and carry conditions before staging.
Take-out
Scottville Riverside Park boat launchScottville Riverside Park has an off-site boat launch adjacent to camping; confirm current park and launch rules.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Custer Weir has paved launches and parking; verify seasonal access and carry conditions before staging.
- Scottville Riverside Park has an off-site boat launch adjacent to camping; confirm current park and launch rules.
- The river is cold, moving water with logs, rocks, and changing current; use named public accesses and do not infer private-bank exits.
Watch for
- Low water, shallow sections, logs, strainers, and cold water.
- Rapid rises after rain and changing current lines.
- Limited intermediate exits and shuttle dependence.
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
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
Pere Marquette River at Scottville, 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
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
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 | Pere Marquette River at Scottville, 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 |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 342 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | USGS 04122500 daily discharge statistics |
| 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 endpointsCuster Weir & Boat Launch to Scottville Riverside Park; approximately 8 river miles
Regional Pere Marquette maps identify Custer Bridge and Scottville Bridge as an approximately 8-mile, 1.5-hour corridor; River Run offers an established Custer-to-Scottville trip.
- Public access and coordinatesCuster Weir public launches to Scottville Riverside Park launch
Michigan Water Trails and Outdoor Michigan publish the Custer launch coordinates; Outdoor Michigan and Scottville publish the Riverside Park launch location.
- Live gauge and thresholdUSGS 04122500; 411 cfs lower-quartile and 342 cfs minimum planning references
USGS supplies direct discharge telemetry and daily statistics at Scottville; neither reference is a runnable or safe-passage guarantee.
- Safety and river characterCold, moving Pere Marquette water with logs, rocks, and rapid changes after rain
Regional paddling guides and the Wild and Scenic river sources describe the current, cold-water, wood, access, and permit considerations.
- Camping and logisticsScottville Riverside Park campground and livery shuttle context
Scottville Riverside Park provides modern and primitive camping; River Run offers transportation and a 2–3 hour Custer-to-Scottville trip context.
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.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
Pere Marquette River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Custer Weir & Boat Launch to Scottville Riverside Park route on the Pere Marquette River?
Paddle Today watches Pere Marquette River at Scottville, MI and uses 342 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does the Custer Weir & Boat Launch to Scottville Riverside Park route on the Pere Marquette River start and end?
This route starts at Custer Weir & Boat Launch public access and ends at Scottville Riverside Park boat launch, Approximately 8 river miles on the water.
Is the Custer Weir & Boat Launch to Scottville Riverside Park route on the Pere Marquette 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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