West Michigan Kayaking Club · River Guide
Intermediate River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Lower Peninsula Paddle Guide
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
River History
The Intermediate River rises in the hill country of Chestonia Township in central Antrim County and is the source of the Elk River Chain of Lakes. Its upper river feeds Intermediate Lake, and its lower river carries the lake's water through Bellaire into Lake Bellaire. Ojibwa people lived in the region before settlers arrived to farm in the mid-1800s.
From the 1880s, lumber companies cut the white pine and drove logs down the chain to sawmills. When the lumber era ended around 1910, the region turned to cherries and tourism. A dam in Bellaire now splits the Chain of Lakes into its Upper and Lower sections, and much of the lower river's shoreline is airport land with no houses.
Interactive River Map
Pinch or use the + / – buttons to zoom.
Use the launch table below for exact access points, and confirm them before a club trip.
River Overview
Headwaters
Hill country in the northwest corner of Chestonia Township, central Antrim County.
Major Tributaries
- Cedar River (joins at Bellaire)
- Upper chain lakes
Communities
- Central Lake
- Bellaire
Sections
Upper river: Small headwater stream into the upper chain lakes.
Intermediate Lake: Long lake from Central Lake to Bellaire.
Lower river: About 1.5 shallow miles from Intermediate Lake to Bellaire, mostly undeveloped airport-owned shoreline.
Mouth
Lake Bellaire, through the Bellaire dam.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
Primary USGS Gage
USGS Interactive Map
Explore every USGS stream gage on and near the river. Tap a site for live flow and gage height.
Water-Level Considerations
| Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Low | Shallow spots on the lower river. |
| Normal | Minimal current; easy upstream paddling. |
| High | Slightly faster near the dam. |
| Storms | Intermediate Lake gets rough; stay off. |
Paddling Character
The lower Intermediate River is one of the easiest paddles on the Chain of Lakes: a 3-mile out-and-back from Bellaire with minimal current and little boat traffic. Stronger paddlers can make the full Intermediate Lake route between Central Lake and Bellaire.
Recommended Boats
- Recreational kayak
- Canoe
- SUP
- Touring kayak (lake route)
Potential Hazards
- Bellaire dam
- Shallow water
- Wind on Intermediate Lake
- Cold water
Best Conditions
Calm summer mornings or evenings; Paddle Antrim runs community paddles from Bellaire.
Michigan Water Trails
Part of the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, a state-designated water trail of more than 100 miles across 12 lakes and connecting rivers in Antrim County, hosted by Paddle Antrim. A dam in Bellaire splits the Upper Chain from the Lower Chain.
Dams & Portages
Portage the Bellaire dam. It separates the Upper Chain from the Lower Chain.
| Structure | Type | Portage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellaire dam | Lake-level dam | Required to continue into Lake Bellaire | Downstream end of the river in Bellaire |
Never paddle near a dam face or spillway. Take out well upstream and confirm portage access before the trip.
Public Kayak & Canoe Launches
| Launch | Area | Type | Parking | Restrooms | Fee / Pass | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richardi Park | Bellaire | Village park | Lot | Yes, potable water, outdoor showers | Verify | Start of the river out-and-back; swimming beach |
| Thurston Park | Central Lake | Village park | Lot | Yes, drinking water | Verify | North end of the Intermediate Lake route |
Kayak rentals are available in downtown Bellaire.
Camping
Area campgrounds
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
- Bald eagles
- Loons
- Herons
- Turtles
- Swans
Fishing
- Smallmouth bass
- Northern pike
- Panfish
- Walleye [V]
Safety
Required / Recommended Gear
- PFD worn at all times
- Paddle + spare
- Whistle
- Dry bag
- First-aid kit
- Cold-water layers (water often below 70°F)
River-Specific Concerns
Stay well away from the Bellaire dam. Intermediate Lake can get windy, so be ready to switch shores or change direction on the lake route.
Best Time & Access
Best Time to Paddle
Access & Regulations
Trip Planning
What to Pack
- Everything in the Safety gear list, plus drinking water.
- A wind forecast for Intermediate Lake.
Leave No Trace: pack out everything you bring. Clean, Drain, Dry all boats and gear between rivers to stop invasive species.
River Difficulty
Class I
Not listed by American Whitewater. Flatwater with minimal current.
Ratings rise at high water. Check the USGS gage before paddling. American Whitewater
Quick Reference
Sources & Current Information
- Paddle Antrim — Paddling the Upper Chain
- MyNorth — Paddle the Chain of Lakes Water Trail
- Wikipedia — Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed
- Michigan Water Trails — Chain of Lakes Water Trail
Last updated: October 2026. Water levels, hazards, launches, camping rules and closures change. Verify current USGS flow, weather, river conditions, access and regulations immediately before launching.
Come paddle with us
Sign the member agreement, then pick your first trip.
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.