Major Flood
20 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
18 ft
Minor Flood
15 ft
Action Stage
13 ft
What Floods at Each Level
21 ft
Fenkell Avenue floods to a depth of 3 feet and some businesses along Fenkell, where it crosses the upper rouge, flood. Evacuation of several residents is likely with many basements flooding in Livonia.
18 ft
Flooding begins on Fenkell Avenue, Middlebelt Road, several side streets and residential areas in Redford Township and Livonia.
15 ft
Flooding begins in some park areas, the River Rouge Municipal Golf Course, and a few homes. Most flood damage occurs on the Upper Rouge River with minor flooding occurring on the main branch.
14 ft
The river reaches bankfull.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 25, 1968 | 21.4 ft | — |
| May 26, 2011 | 20.23 ft | 5,908 cfs |
| Sep 30, 1981 | 19.92 ft | — |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Rouge 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 Rouge River at Detroit?
The Rouge River at Detroit gauge is maintained by USGS (site 04166500) 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 Rouge River at Detroit?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rouge River at Detroit is 15 feet. Action stage begins at 13 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 18 feet, and major flooding at 20 feet.
How do I get alerts when Rouge River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Rouge River at Detroit 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 Rouge River at Detroit gauge located?
The gauge is located in Wayne County, Michigan at coordinates 42.3722°N, 83.2556°W. USGS site number: 04166500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Rouge River
On This River
Upstream: Rouge River at Southfield
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- 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.