Muskegon River at Newaygo
Michigan · Fishing & wading
Measured at USGS 04121970 — MUSKEGON RIVER NEAR CROTON, MI · NWS forecast point CROM4
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:45 PM UTC
About normal for the date
At 1,170 CFS, this gauge is running 93% of normal for late July — close to the 1,260 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 30 years of record (1996–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Newaygo
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge CROM4, issued by WFO GRR. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
-
Major flood 12.0 ft
- 12.0 ft Expect major flooding of 16 properties in Devils Hole.
- 13.0 ft Flood water begins surrounding properties on Russel Road and Salmon Run in Croton Township, Cottonwood Flats and Gould Subdivision in Brooks Township. Expect major flooding of Devils Hole.
-
Moderate flood 11.0 ft
- 11.0 ft Expect minor flooding in Devils Hole in Brooks Township.
-
Minor flood 9.0 ft · 7,383 CFS
- 9.0 ft Expect minor flooding in low lying areas along the river.
- 10.0 ft Expect all public river access sites to be closed.
- 10.5 ft Flood water begins surrounding cottages in Devils Hole and Main Street in Brooks Township. Expect all public river access sites to be closed.
-
Action 8.0 ft · 5,280 CFS
- 8.0 ft River is bankfull. River begins to exceed its banks and minor flooding begins in low lying areas along the river.
- Right now 4.61 ft
12 months of flow at Newaygo
Daily values from USGS gauge 04121970. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Newaygo
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 16.80 ft | 23,200 CFS | Sep 12, 1986 |
| 12.89 ft | 15,600 CFS | Apr 15, 2014 |
| 11.55 ft | 12,300 CFS | Feb 21, 2018 |
| 11.11 ft | 11,000 CFS | Apr 19, 2013 |
| 10.64 ft | 9,970 CFS | Apr 29, 2011 |
| 10.45 ft | 9,580 CFS | May 24, 2004 |
| 10.33 ft | 9,680 CFS | May 19, 2020 |
| 10.08 ft | 9,180 CFS | Mar 15, 2019 |
| 9.88 ft | 8,473 CFS | Jan 30, 2013 |
| 9.52 ft | 8,697 CFS | May 10, 2004 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Muskegon River at Newaygo
This gauge measures Muskegon River at Newaygo, Michigan — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters on this stretch check before committing to a shuttle.
Croton Dam tailwater steelhead; Grand Rapids float traffic.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 1,260 CFS for late July, from 30 years of record.
Because the National Weather Service also operates a forecast point here, the page carries the official flood-category ladder and the NWS's own stage-by-stage impact statements.
Muskegon River at Newaygo — common questions
What is the current flow on Muskegon River at Newaygo?
As of the last reading on this page, Muskegon River at Newaygo was running 1,170 CFS at a gage height of 4.61 ft, or 93% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 04121970, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 1,260 CFS, calculated from 30 years of record (1996–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
Is Muskegon River at Newaygo wadeable right now?
That depends on the reach and on your own judgement — riverlvl will not tell you the water is safe to stand in. What it will tell you is whether today's flow is unusually high or low for the date, against a seasonal median of 1,260 CFS, which is the single most useful input to that decision.
What makes the flow change on this stretch?
Rain in the basin upstream, plus seasonal baseflow. The 12-month chart shows the past year of daily values, which is the clearest picture of how this gauge behaves through the seasons.
Where does this data come from?
Flow and gage height are public-domain USGS data from gauge 04121970. Flood categories, impact statements and the forecast come from the NOAA / National Weather Service National Water Prediction Service, gauge CROM4. riverlvl adds the seasonal comparison and plain-English summary; it is not an official source and does not issue warnings.