Grand River Hits Action Stage in Grand Rapids, Here’s What You Need to Know

After days of heavy rain and strong spring storms sweeping through the entirety of West Michigan, the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids has officially reached what they call the “Action Stage.”

If you’ve been near the river in the past few days, you may have noticed the water looking a little higher than normal, and you’re not imagining things. As of Monday (April 7th), the river crested at it's height of 12.9 feet, according to local officials and NOAA data. It won’t stay that way for long, and thankfully, it’s expected to start receding by Tuesday afternoon.

See photos of when the Grand River crested at over 21 feet back in 2013 ⬇️

So what exactly does “Action Stage” mean? In short, it’s a warning level that signals rising water could start to impact certain areas in Grand Rapids, but it’s not quite yet at the flood stage.

What does that mean for those of us who are in the area? At this level, folks visiting downtown should be especially cautious around the riverfront. Some of the walkways and lower-lying park areas near the water may be temporarily flooded or slick, creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians. You may also run into areas that are entirely closed off (Temporarily) while we are in this action stage.

If you’re planning to take a stroll along the riverwalk, visit one of the downtown bridges, or head to Ah-Nab-Awen Park, it’s best to stay alert and steer clear of any visibly flooded zones.

One sign the river is high? This piece of equipment being used for the upgrades to the Grand Rapids Public museum has been eaten by the river as of Monday. While they will be able to get it out soon, it’s crazy to see.

The high water isn’t just limited to Grand Rapids proper. Up in Comstock Park, the Grand River also saw a notable rise, though it hasn’t hit major flood levels. According to NOAA’s real-time data, water levels at that location are elevated but slowly stabilizing.

While the immediate risk of widespread flooding appears low at this time since it should be (fairly) dry for the rest of the week, this is a good reminder of how quickly conditions can change in early spring. If you live or work near the river (or just love visiting downtown) keep an eye on local alerts and use caution near the water over the next couple of days. The river may be beautiful, but right now, it’s running just a little too wild to get close.