USWaterLevels
💧 Real-Time Quality Scores

US Water Quality Index

Our composite Water Quality Score combines temperature, reservoir levels, and flow rates to rate conditions for swimming, fishing, and recreation.

1,638
Active Stations
71.3°F
National Avg Temp
2,216
Ideal Temp (65–78°F)
0
≥85% Pool Level

How We Calculate Water Quality Score (0–100)

40 pts
🌡️ Temperature

Maximum points when water temp is near ideal 71.5°F (22°C) for most recreational activities.

30 pts
⛰️ Reservoir Level

Full points when reservoir is at or near full pool capacity. Low levels reduce score.

30 pts
🌊 Flow Rate

Moderate, stable flow (100–5,000 cfs) earns full points. Extreme highs or lows reduce score.

🟢 Excellent (80–100) 🟩 Good (60–79) 🟡 Fair (40–59) 🔴 Poor (0–39)
#161
25
score

East Branch Coon Creek At Armada, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 0 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#162
25
score

South Branch Flint River Near Columbiaville,Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 33 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#163
25
score

Portage Creek At Kalamazoo, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 39 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#164
25
score

Quaker Brook At State Hwy M-66 Near Nashville, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 4 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#165
25
score

Sturgeon River Near Nahma Junction, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 91 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#166
25
score

Upper River Rouge At Farmington, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 5 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#167
25
score

E Br St Joseph R At Territorial Rd Nr Waldron, Mi

Michigan · Lake
Poor
🌊 10 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#168
25
score

S.B. Kalamazoo River At Grover Rd Nr Hanover, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 2 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#169
25
score

Grand River At Jackson, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 58 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#170
25
score

Sturgeon River Near Sidnaw, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 53 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#171
25
score

Saginaw River At Midland Street At Bay City, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 96 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#172
25
score

Plaster Creek At 28Th Street At Grand Rapids, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 7 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#173
25
score

Iron River At Caspian, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 57 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#174
25
score

Ecorse River At Dearborn Heights, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 0 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#175
25
score

St. Marys River At Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 77,700 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#176
25
score

E Br Au Gres R At E Andrews Rd Nr Alabaster, Mi

Michigan · Lake
Poor
🌊 46 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#177
25
score

Battle Creek At Battle Creek, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 37 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#178
25
score

Belle River At Memphis, Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 13 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#179
25
score

N Branch Clinton R At 26 Mile Nr Meade, Mi

Michigan · Lake
Poor
🌊 10 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#180
25
score

S Branch River Raisin At Benner Hway Nr Cadmus Mi

Michigan · River
Poor
🌊 0 cfs Updated: Jul 25
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Understanding the Water Quality Index

The US Water Quality Index is a composite score designed to give anglers, swimmers, boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts a quick, at-a-glance assessment of water body conditions. Unlike traditional water quality indices that focus on chemical pollutants (which require laboratory analysis), our index uses real-time USGS sensor data to reflect physical conditions relevant to recreation.

Temperature Component (40 points)

Water temperature is the most important factor for recreational fishing, swimming, and wildlife activity. The ideal range for most activities — comfortable for swimming, optimal for bass and walleye fishing — is approximately 65–78°F (18–26°C). Our scoring peaks at 71.5°F and decreases proportionally as temperature moves away from this ideal.

Reservoir Level Component (30 points)

Reservoir levels (measured as a percentage of full pool) reflect drought conditions, drought recovery, flood risk, and overall ecosystem health. A reservoir at full pool (100%) scores maximum points. Severely depleted reservoirs — common during drought — score fewer points. This metric is particularly relevant in western states where water storage is critical.

Flow Rate Component (30 points)

River discharge (measured in cubic feet per second, cfs) indicates safe boating, wading, and kayaking conditions. Moderate, stable flow rates between 100–5,000 cfs are typically ideal for most recreation. Extremely high flows indicate flood risk, while extremely low flows suggest drought stress and limited habitat for fish.