River stage
Ionia, Grand River
- River level
- 8.45 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.85 ft
- Recent high
- 10.72 ft
- Recent low
- 7.85 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS IONM4
- 30-day change
- -0.53 ft
- Average
- 8.79 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 24.69 ft
In brief
The Grand River at Ionia, MI read 8.45 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.05 ft below action stage. That is 0.53 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge IONM4
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24.69 ft | 2013-04-20 |
| 2 | 24.40 ft | 2018-02-23 |
| 3 | 24.30 ft | 1948-03-21 |
| 4 | 23.60 ft | 1947-04-07 |
| 5 | 23.43 ft | 1960-04-01 |
| 6 | 23.41 ft | 2004-05-25 |
| 7 | 23.20 ft | 2020-05-20 |
| 8 | 23.19 ft | 1976-03-06 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 13.50 ft
River is bankfull. Minor overflow begins in low lying areas along the river near and across from the Ionia Fairground.
- 15.00 ft
High water affects North Drive on Ionia Fairgrounds.
- 16.00 ft
Expect extensive lowland overflow to occur.
- 18.00 ft
Water surrounds automobile building at Ionia Fairgrounds.
- 21.00 ft
Expect minor flooding of several buildings in the Ionia Fairgrounds, a shopping mall near the Fairgrounds, and several businesses and residences in the southern portion of Ionia.
- 23.00 ft
Expect moderate flooding of several roads, businesses, and residences, in the Ionia area and of structures located in the Ionia Fairgrounds. Water halfway up windows on automobile building at Ionia Fairgrounds. Water begins to flood parking lot of Dollar General store, Save-a-Lot, and the Ionia Secretary of State office. Homes along Quarry Road begin to flood.
- 25.00 ft
Expect major flooding of Ionia Fairgrounds and businesses and residences in low lying areas near the river. Railroad tracks and several additional businesses flooded in vicinity of Fairgrounds along Steele Street. Homes along Quarry Road flooded.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Trout stocking on the Grand River
Michigan DNR stocked the Grand River 4 times in 2026, 1,732,099 fish in total. Rainbow trout and Walleye at 18.7 and 0.3. Michigan DNR's published figures for 2026, the most recent season it has confirmed, record 32,099 trout actually released here across 4 visits.
| Species | Fish | When |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow trout | 23,978 | April 2026 |
| Walleye | 850,000 | April 2026 |
| Walleye | 850,000 | April 2026 |
| Rainbow trout | 8,121 | April 2026 |
Michigan DNR lists a week or a month rather than a date, and counts fish as an estimate. Full Michigan stocking schedule →
Frequently asked questions
Is the Grand River flooding at Ionia?
No. The Grand River at Ionia is at 8.45 ft, 5.05 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Ionia?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 13.5 ft, minor flooding 21 ft, moderate flooding 23 ft and major flooding 25 ft.
What is the highest the Grand River has been at Ionia?
The highest crest on record is 24.69 ft, on 2013-04-20.
Is the Grand River high or low right now at Ionia?
At 8.45 ft it is higher than 37% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge IONM4); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 04116000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.