Gauge Description:

As of September, 2001, a USGS gauge at Skanee Road is online.

According to at least one boater's report:
8.5'/475 cfs described as 'moderate'
8.0'/325 described as 'moderate low'
At 7.43' everything was runnable, but getting quite scrapey.

Based upon six years of data from the USGS gauge,
minimum flow is zero (of course),
maximum flow was 2660 cfs,
90% flow was 11 cfs (90% of the time flow equals or exceeds this value),
10% flow was 169 cfs (10% of the time flow equals or exceeds this value),
making for a 10/90 ratio of 15 (suggesting a rather flashy stream, no big surprise).

Best month to catch it is April (15 runnable days, on average; low of 9, high of 22),
with March and May being next best (4 runnable days average, low of 0, high of 8-10),
though it has run in June, October, and November.

Offseason ('Ice') correlations:
9.86' =1000 cfs
9.53' = 860 cfs
9.00' = 650 cfs
8.87' = 600 cfs
8.58' = 500 cfs
8.26' = 400 cfs
7.91' = 300 cfs
7.71' = 250 cfs
7.50' = 200 cfs
7.40' = 180 cfs

Disclaimer: Be aware that indication of a 'runnable' level by the gauge does not necessarily mean that the river is runnable. In winter, gauge readings may be 'ice affected'. Sections of the river may be impassable due to ice. Use discretion for winter and early spring runs.

The 'boaters gauge' is to look at the river downstream of Arvon Road. If it looks a bit rocky ('marginal') you probably have a decent level!

Boaters also use a 'measure down' gauge at the bridge at Skanee Road. Measuring down from underside downstream left on NEW bridge there: 72" down appears to equate to -22" on old bridge (I.E. relative minimum level for runnability). Desirable (runnable) levels may be 60" to 69" down, with 70"-73" runnable but getting scrapey.

Also, I have received word that If you measure down from the bottom of the concrete on the bridge on the upstream left side and subtract that number from 14.81 feet, that will give you the gage height (this will correlate very nicely with the USGS gage height that appears on the web).

Silver River nr L'Anse, MI [ MI ]

Current Conditions Stage Flow Updated 6.22 12 9/6 23:45 Station Graphs

Linked Reaches

Search Results

Level Legend:

Running

Below Minimum Recommended Flow

Above Maximum Recommended Flow

Unknown

Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State	River Name/Section	Class	Level	Rel. Level	Updated
MI	Falls— Mead Rd to Lake Superior (near Celotex plant in L'Anse) (2 miles)	III-IV+	6.22 ft*	low	9/6 23:45
MI	Silver— A) 'Upper Silver': Silver Rd to Arvon Rd (2.3 miles)	III-V	6.22 ft	low	9/6 23:45
MI	Silver— B) 'Lower Silver': Arvon Rd to Silver Falls Park (4.2 miles)	III-IV+(V)	12 cfs	low	9/6 23:45
MI	Slate— A) 'Upper Slate': near Arvon quarry to Quartzite Falls (2.5 miles)	II-III+	6.22 ft *	low	9/6 23:45
MI	Slate— B) 'Lower Slate': Silver Road to Skanee Road (2.7 miles)	III-IV(V)	6.22 ft *	low	9/6 23:45

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:	6884
USGS Station:	04043150
HUC:
Latitude:
Longitude:
Class: