Upper river
Small trout water
A small, cold stream through farm country. Mostly too small to paddle.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Branch County to the St. Joseph River at Three Rivers
Prairie River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A winding Southwest Michigan river that runs from the lake country of Branch County through Lake Templene and Centreville to the St. Joseph River at Three Rivers. The Centreville stretch is a pleasant afternoon paddle between county canoe parks.
RegionSouthwest Michigan
CountiesBranch, St. Joseph; part of Steuben County, Indiana
WatershedAbout 201 sq mi
Great Lake BasinLake Michigan
River LengthAbout 54 miles
PaddleableCentreville to Three Rivers
Best SeasonMay to October
MouthSt. Joseph River, south of Three Rivers
Before you launch: dams and deadfall
- Two dams: the Lake Templene dam and the Centreville dam are on the main river. Take out above each one and stay clear of the water below.
- Deadfall: trees fall across the channel. Expect liftovers, especially in spring.
- Private land: public land along the river is scarce. Use the county parks for breaks.
- Join the St. Joe carefully: the St. Joseph River at the mouth is bigger and faster.
River History
The Prairie River is named for the open prairies that early settlers found in St. Joseph and Branch counties, some of the first land cleared for farms in southern Michigan. Mills grew up along the river, and the river helped make Centreville, the St. Joseph County seat, a market town in the 1800s.
In the early 1970s, developer Floyd Templin gathered investors and dammed the river to create Lake Templene, a 900-acre lake for homes and recreation. The river's upper reach is Branch County's only trout stream, and the DNR has managed brown trout there since 1971, through droughts, dredging and recovery.
River Map
River Overview
The Prairie River rises in northern Kinderhook Township in Branch County, drains part of Steuben County, Indiana, and flows west-northwest for about 54 miles. It passes through a string of small lakes, Lake Templene and Centreville before joining the St. Joseph River just south of Three Rivers. The stretch from Bowers Road to McKale Road is a designated trout stream.
Kinderhook Township headwaters
Lake country of Branch County. Small water.
Trout water near Burr Oak
The designated trout stretch, small and cold.
Lake Templene and dam
A 900-acre impoundment formed in the early 1970s.
Centreville and the Centreville dam
County seat and the second dam on the river.
Centreville Canoe Park to Hoshel Canoe Park
About two hours of easy, winding paddling.
Hoshel Canoe Park to Sauganash
Continues toward Three Rivers past the golf course.
St. Joseph River
The Prairie joins the St. Joe just south of Three Rivers.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
The USGS gage near Nottawa is on the Centreville paddling stretch and is the one to check. Two more gages upstream near Burr Oak and Bronson show the upper river.
How to read it
Compare today's flow with the typical flow for the date shown on the USGS graph. Well above normal means faster current, debris coming downstream and fewer safe eddies. Well below normal means more dragging and more liftovers.
After heavy rain, check again the morning you launch. Small rivers rise and fall quickly.
Paddling Character
Lake Templene
Lake paddling
A large impoundment with homes and boats. Calm on most mornings.
Centreville to Three Rivers
Easy and winding
Gentle current through woods and fields between county parks, with some downed trees.
Michigan Water Trails
The Prairie River is not a designated Michigan Water Trail. St. Joseph County promotes the Centreville stretch as a kayak trip, and nearby water trails include the St. Joseph River, Nottawa Creek and the Portage River at Three Rivers.
Check the official list for updates, since new trails are added over time.
Michigan Water TrailsDams & Portages
St. Joseph County
Lake Templene dam
Built in the early 1970s to form Lake Templene. Take out well above it and carry around.
Centreville
Centreville dam
A registered dam in Centreville. Take out above it and put in below at the county canoe park.
Plan ahead
Portage tips
Most paddlers skip both dams by starting at Centreville Canoe Park, below town.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Centreville
Centreville Canoe Park
County canoe park near downtown Centreville with gravel paths and an easy launch.
MapSouthwest of Centreville
Hoshel Canoe Park
St. Joseph County park at 19798 Hoshel Road, about 3 miles southwest of Centreville. Launch, picnic tables, fire ring and parking. Free, dawn to dusk.
MapNear Three Rivers
Sauganash Golf Course area
Take-out used by the county's Prairie River trip, about two hours below Hoshel. Confirm access with the course.
MapCamping
Three Rivers area
Local campgrounds
Private campgrounds near Three Rivers and Centreville work as a base. There's no camping at the county canoe parks.
State land
Limited state campgrounds
Southwest Michigan has few state campgrounds near the Prairie. Check DNR listings for current options.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Deer, wild turkey, herons, kingfishers and wood ducks are common along the river. The farmland prairies draw hawks and sandhill cranes.
Fishing
The upper river is managed for brown trout. The lower river holds smallmouth bass, pike and panfish, and Lake Templene has bass, pike and panfish.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Take out above both dams.
- Watch for downed trees on the bends.
- Use county parks for breaks. Most of the bank is private.
Rules, passes and private land
- The county canoe parks are open dawn to dusk.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is needed at state parks and many state-run launches.
- Much of the riverbank is private. Stop only on public land or where you have permission.
- Leave No Trace: pack out all trash.
What to pack
- Spare paddle, bilge pump, throw bag and whistle
- Dry bag with warm layers
- Map or GPS track with your take-out marked
- Folding saw for small deadfall
Best Time & Access
Spring
Higher, faster water and more deadfall. Cold.
Summer
The best season for the Centreville stretch.
Fall
Good color and quieter water.
Winter
Cold and icy. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Centreville is about an hour and 45 minutes south. Take US-131 south past Kalamazoo to Three Rivers, then head east on M-86.
Trip Planning
Half-day trip
Centreville Canoe Park to Hoshel Canoe Park takes about two hours, and on to Sauganash about two more.
Shuttles
Liveries in Three Rivers have run shuttles for this stretch. Book ahead.
Make it a weekend
Pair the Prairie with the Portage River or the St. Joseph River at Three Rivers.
Check before you go
Look at the Nottawa gage, the weather and county park notices.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater doesn't list the Prairie River, so it's rated Class I: easy water with no rapids.
Centreville to Three Rivers
Gentle, winding current with some deadfall. Good for beginners.
Lake Templene
Flatwater lake paddling.
Quick Reference
| Source | Kinderhook Township, Branch County |
|---|---|
| Mouth | St. Joseph River, south of Three Rivers |
| Length | About 54 miles |
| Watershed | About 201 sq mi |
| Dams | Lake Templene and Centreville |
| Main towns | Centreville, Three Rivers |
| Key gage | USGS 04097540, near Nottawa |
| Michigan Water Trail | Not designated |
| Best season | May to October |
| Difficulty | Class I |