Major Flood
13 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
11 ft
Minor Flood
6 ft
Action Stage
5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
15 ft
Flooding of property along North Main Street in Omer.
12 ft
Flooding of homes along Pinnacle Drive and Miller Road. Flooding of Crystal Creek Campground along Grove Road.
11 ft
Flooding occurs at Rifle River Campground and Canoe Livery.
9 ft
High water begins to impact campground at White's Canoe Livery at Melita Road bridge.
6 ft
High water begins to impact canoe livery at River View Campground.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2020 | 15.72 ft | 7,840 cfs |
| Mar 27, 1950 | 13.74 ft | 5,340 cfs |
| Feb 21, 2018 | 12.96 ft | 3,810 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Rifle River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Rifle River near Sterling?
The Rifle River near Sterling gauge is maintained by USGS (site 04142000) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Rifle River near Sterling?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rifle River near Sterling is 6 feet. Action stage begins at 5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 11 feet, and major flooding at 13 feet.
How do I get alerts when Rifle River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Rifle River near Sterling to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Rifle River near Sterling gauge located?
The gauge is located in Arenac County, Michigan at coordinates 44.0725°N, 84.0200°W. USGS site number: 04142000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.