Station Name: RIFLE RIVER NEAR STERLING, MI
Data Source: Water Data - usgc.gov

Elevation Above Sea Level: 669 feet

Nearest Address:
401 Melita Rd
Sterling, MI 48659
Arenac County

GPS Coordinates: 44.0725203, -84.0199939

Nearby Water Temperatures

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 2:39AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Effective: Thu April 16, 2026, 2:39 AM
Expires: Sun April 19, 2026, 8:00 PM

* WHAT...Flooding caused by recent rain and snowmelt is occurring. * WHERE...A portion of northern Michigan, including the following counties, Alcona, Arenac, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Roscommon. * WHEN...Until 800 PM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Flooding is occurring following recent heavy rainfall and snowmelt. Roads and structures near lakes and rivers will continue to see high water levels and potential wash outs. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 239 AM EDT, ongoing flooding is being experienced across the area and will likely continue for the next several days. Between 3 and 6 inches of rain have fallen over the last several days. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe. Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely.

Flash Flood Warning issued April 16 at 1:53PM EDT until April 17 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Effective: Thu April 16, 2026, 1:53 PM
Expires: Fri April 17, 2026, 12:00 AM

FFWAPX The National Weather Service in Gaylord has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Central Arenac County in northern Michigan... * Until midnight EDT tonight. * At 153 PM EDT, county emergency management reported debris removal resulting in rapid water rises along the Rifle River downstream of Omer. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding from rapid water rises. SOURCE...County emergency management. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas along the river downstream of the bridge at US-23 in Omer. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Omer. Flooding is occurring along the Rifle River.

If you are in low lying areas below the you should move to higher ground immediately. Follow evacuation instructions provided by your local emergency officials. Do not attempt to drive across flooded roadways. Call 911 if you need assistance. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:27AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Effective: Thu April 16, 2026, 11:27 AM
Expires: Sun April 19, 2026, 8:00 PM

* WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt continues. * WHERE...A portion of northern Michigan, including the following counties, Alcona, Arenac, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Roscommon. * WHEN...Until 800 PM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Flooding is occurring following recent heavy rainfall and snowmelt. Roads and structures near lakes and rivers will continue to see high water levels and potential wash outs. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 1126 AM EDT, ongoing flooding is being experienced across the area and will likely continue for the next several days. Between 3 and 6.5 inches of rain have fallen over the last several days. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe. Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely.

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:06AM EDT until April 20 at 6:30AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Effective: Thu April 16, 2026, 11:06 AM
Expires: Fri April 17, 2026, 12:00 PM

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Michigan... Rifle River near Sterling affecting Arenac County. For the Rifle River...including Sterling...Minor flooding is occurring and is forecast to continue. * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Rifle River near Sterling. * WHEN...Until Monday morning. * IMPACTS...At 11.0 feet, High water impacts property south of Townline Road downstream of Melita Road bridge. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 10:30 AM EDT Thursday the stage was 10.7 feet. - Bankfull stage is 4.5 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 10:30 AM EDT Thursday was 11.1 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 10.9 feet this evening. It will then fall below flood stage early Monday morning. - Flood stage is 6.0 feet. - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 10.9 feet on 04/15/2014. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov. The next statement will be issued by Friday afternoon at noon EDT.

Flood Watch issued April 16 at 2:58AM EDT until April 17 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI

Effective: Thu April 16, 2026, 2:58 AM
Expires: Fri April 17, 2026, 12:00 AM

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...All of southeast Michigan, including the following areas, Bay, Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne. * WHEN...Through this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Showers and embedded thunderstorms will be around today. Although most locations are expected to see less than an inch of rain, thunderstorms and heavy rain showers could produce localized accumulations of 2 inches or more. This would likely cause flooding given the antecedent rainfall and already saturated soils. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.