See all 6 routes on Clinton River
Michigan | Southeast Michigan
Clinton River
Budd Park to Shadyside Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Clinton River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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Today
Get the answer fast, then scan the route.
Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
-- Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Launch at Budd Park and take out at Shadyside Park for CRWC's slow/beginner lower Clinton River route into Mount Clemens. Use the Sterling Heights USGS stage as a warning check, then verify the lower river visually because wood, rain, and urban runoff can still change the trip quickly.
Put-in
Budd Park carry-in launch Open mapCRWC maps Budd Park, George George Park, and Shadyside Park as Clinton River Water Trail access points with coordinates and access spacing.
Take-out
Shadyside Park boat and canoe launch Open mapThe City of Mount Clemens confirms Shadyside Park has fishing facilities and a handicapped-accessible pier with a boat and canoe launch, but park events, construction, or shoreline conditions can still affect the landing.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats
- CRWC maps Budd Park, George George Park, and Shadyside Park as Clinton River Water Trail access points with coordinates and access spacing.
- The City of Mount Clemens confirms Shadyside Park has fishing facilities and a handicapped-accessible pier with a boat and canoe launch, but park events, construction, or shoreline conditions can still affect the landing.
- Stay with public launches and avoid private banks; CRWC specifically tells paddlers to plan exits at public access points.
Watch for
- Low-water scraping or slow travel when the Sterling Heights gauge is at or below the CRWC 8 ft low-water warning.
- High, fast water, strainers, and woody debris when the gauge approaches or exceeds the 10 ft high-water warning, especially after rain.
- Urban stormwater and possible sewage-overflow water-quality concerns after high-flow events.
- A slower lower-river character does not remove the need to inspect log jams, blind bends, bridges, and the Shadyside take-out before committing.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this score Today's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
Outlook Tomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the score Gauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Clinton River at Sterling Heights, 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 |
| Target band | 8.00 ft to 10.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 8.00 ft |
| High threshold | 10.00 ft |
| Data confidence behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Clinton River Watershed Council Sterling Heights gauge warnings |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
Notes What to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Suggested route Budd Park to Shadyside Park, about 2 hr
CRWC lists Budd Park in Clinton Township to Shadyside Park in Mount Clemens as a slow/beginner suggested paddling route, with an option to continue to MacArthur Park for paddlers who intentionally extend the trip.
- Access map Budd Park RM 13.6 to Shadyside Park RM 9.2
The 2024 CRWC water-trail map places Budd Park at 13.6 miles from Lake St. Clair, George George Park at 11.0, and Shadyside Park at 9.2, making this about a 4.4-mile lower-river route.
- Endpoint coordinates 42.586506, -82.927598 to 42.582529, -82.880104
The 2024 CRWC water-trail map table gives coordinates for Budd Park and Shadyside Park, with George George Park as an intermediate access.
- Public launch support Shadyside boat and canoe launch
The City of Mount Clemens describes Shadyside Park as a city park on the banks of the Clinton River with fishing facilities and a handicapped-accessible pier with a boat and canoe launch.
- Gauge warnings 8.0 ft low warning / 10.0 ft high warning
CRWC bases water-level warnings on the USGS Sterling Heights gauge and publishes a low-water warning at 8 ft and high-water warning at 10 ft. The app uses this as a conservative proxy warning window for the downstream lower-river route.
Verify it yourself Check 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
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Clinton River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Clinton River?
Paddle Today watches Clinton River at Sterling Heights, MI and treats 8.00 ft to 10.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Clinton River route start and end?
This route starts at Budd Park carry-in launch and ends at Shadyside Park boat and canoe launch, about About 4.4 mi on the water.
Is this Clinton River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.