ST. JOSEPH RIVER AT THREE RIVERS, MI
USGS 04097500 · Michigan · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 04097500 · Michigan · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 9:45 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 167 readings from Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT to Nov 5, 9:45 PM EST; ranging 467 to 687 ft³/s; latest 484 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 9:45 PM EST | 484 | 2.89 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 PM EST | 480 | 2.88 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST | 480 | 2.88 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 PM EST | 480 | 2.88 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST | 480 | 2.88 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM EST | 480 | 2.88 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM EST | 476 | 2.87 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM EST | 476 | 2.87 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM EST | 476 | 2.87 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM EST | 476 | 2.87 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM EST | 476 | 2.87 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM EST | 476 | 2.87 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM EST | 476 | 2.87 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM EST | 471 | 2.86 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM EST | 471 | 2.86 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM EST | 471 | 2.86 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 543–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM EST | 467 | 2.85 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM EST | 471 | 2.86 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM EST | 484 | 2.89 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM EST | 544 | 3.02 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM EST | 608 | 3.15 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM EST | 608 | 3.15 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM EST | 608 | 3.15 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM EST | 608 | 3.15 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM EST | 608 | 3.15 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM EST | 608 | 3.15 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM EST | 608 | 3.15 | 561–1,210 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM EST | 613 | 3.16 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 562–1,230 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM EST | 618 | 3.17 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM EST | 623 | 3.18 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM EST | 629 | 3.19 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM EST | 634 | 3.2 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM EST | 639 | 3.21 | 540–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM EST | 649 | 3.23 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM EST | 660 | 3.25 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM EST | 665 | 3.26 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM EST | 676 | 3.28 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM EST | 681 | 3.29 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM EST | 687 | 3.3 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM EST | 687 | 3.3 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM EST | 687 | 3.3 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM EST | 670 | 3.27 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM EST | 665 | 3.26 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM EST | 665 | 3.26 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM EST | 665 | 3.26 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM EST | 665 | 3.26 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM EST | 634 | 3.2 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM EST | 512 | 2.95 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM EST | 507 | 2.94 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM EST | 603 | 3.14 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM EST | 603 | 3.14 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM EST | 603 | 3.14 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM EST | 603 | 3.14 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM EST | 603 | 3.14 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM EST | 603 | 3.14 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM EST | 603 | 3.14 | 569–1,110 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM EDT | 603 | 3.14 | 569–1,110 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM EDT | 603 | 3.14 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM EDT | 603 | 3.14 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT | 603 | 3.14 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM EDT | 603 | 3.14 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM EDT | 603 | 3.14 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM EDT | 603 | 3.14 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM EDT | 603 | 3.14 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM EDT | 603 | 3.14 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM EDT | 608 | 3.15 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM EDT | 608 | 3.15 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM EDT | 608 | 3.15 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM EDT | 613 | 3.16 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM EDT | 613 | 3.16 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM EDT | 613 | 3.16 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM EDT | 613 | 3.16 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM EDT | 618 | 3.17 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM EDT | 618 | 3.17 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM EDT | 618 | 3.17 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM EDT | 618 | 3.17 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM EDT | 623 | 3.18 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM EDT | 623 | 3.18 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 565–1,090 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM EDT | 634 | 3.2 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM EDT | 634 | 3.2 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM EDT | 639 | 3.21 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM EDT | 644 | 3.22 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM EDT | 644 | 3.22 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM EDT | 644 | 3.22 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM EDT | 634 | 3.2 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM EDT | 629 | 3.19 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM EDT | 634 | 3.2 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM EDT | 634 | 3.2 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM EDT | 634 | 3.2 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM EDT | 634 | 3.2 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM EDT | 634 | 3.2 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM EDT | 639 | 3.21 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM EDT | 639 | 3.21 | 538–1,110 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM EDT | 639 | 3.21 | 524–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT | 639 | 3.21 | 524–1,060 |
Map of USGS gauge 04097500 and the river around it
Where ST. JOSEPH RIVER AT THREE RIVERS, MI sits, with 2 other gauges on the same river and our water's map point.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Michigan DNR publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Michigan rule: 68°F.
Normal for Nov 5: 543–1,230 ft³/s (middle half of 64 years of record). Now: 484 ft³/s, below normal.
Below normal for this date. 484 ft³/s is between the 10th and 25th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 64 years of record (1954–2026): 10th 372, 25th 543, median 880, 75th 1,230, 90th 1,530 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 256 ft³/s, highest 3,000 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (+3.6% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Species the agency lists for Saint Joseph River: Chinook Salmon, Steelhead.
Source: Fishing in the fall is fun when you target salmon and steelhead (Michigan Department of Natural Resources).
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 2.89 ft stage, 484 ft³/s at Nov 5, 9:45 PM EST (NWS gauge TRVM4; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 10:58 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.