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 13 at 12:23PM EDT until April 16 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Effective: Mon April 13, 2026, 12:23 PM
Expires: Tue April 14, 2026, 12:30 AM

...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 minor flooding is forecast. * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Rifle River near Sterling. * WHEN...Until late Thursday evening. * IMPACTS...At 11.0 feet, High water impacts property south of Townline Road downstream of Melita Road bridge. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 11:30 AM EDT Monday the stage was 9.5 feet. - Bankfull stage is 4.5 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 11:30 AM EDT Monday was 9.5 feet. - Forecast...The river will rise to 10.4 feet this evening. It will then fall tomorrow evening. It will rise to 9.4 feet early Wednesday morning. It will then fall below flood stage Thursday afternoon. - Flood stage is 6.0 feet. - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 10.3 feet on 04/19/2013. - 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. late tonight at 1230 AM EDT.

Flood Watch issued April 13 at 4:58PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Effective: Mon April 13, 2026, 4:58 PM
Expires: Tue April 14, 2026, 5:00 AM

Additional rain on top of recent heavy rainfall and snow melt may lead to localized flooding. Flows in rivers will continue to increase and may reach critical levels. * WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt continues. * WHERE...Portions of Eastern Upper and Northern Lower Michigan, including the following areas, in Eastern Upper Michigan, Central Chippewa, Eastern Mackinac, Southeast Chippewa, Western Chippewa and Western Mackinac. In Northern Lower Michigan, Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford. * WHEN...Through Wednesday morning. * 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. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - 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.

Flood Watch issued April 13 at 1:45PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI

Effective: Mon April 13, 2026, 1:45 PM
Expires: Tue April 14, 2026, 4:00 PM

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of central and west central Michigan, including the following counties, Clare, Osceola, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, and Oceana. * WHEN...Through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Roadways with low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Thunderstorms may produce areas of 1 to 3 inch rain totals both Monday night and Tuesday night. - 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.

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 12:29PM EDT until April 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Effective: Mon April 13, 2026, 12:29 PM
Expires: Tue April 14, 2026, 12:30 AM

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Michigan... Au Sable River near Red Oak affecting Oscoda County. For the Au Sable River...including Red Oak...Moderate flooding is ongoing and Major flooding is forecast. * WHAT...Moderate flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. This has exceeded the flood of record. * WHERE...Au Sable River near Red Oak. * WHEN...Until Sunday morning. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 12:00 PM EDT Monday the stage was 8.5 feet. - Bankfull stage is 6.0 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 12:00 PM EDT Monday was 8.5 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 10.0 feet early Wednesday morning. It will then fall below flood stage early Sunday morning. - Flood stage is 7.0 feet. - Flood History...No available flood history. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Flooding is occurring or is imminent. Most flood related deaths occur in automobiles. Do not attempt to cross water covered bridges, dips, or low water crossings. Never try to cross a flowing stream, even a small one, on foot. To escape rising water find another route over higher ground. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov. late tonight at 1230 AM EDT.

Flash Flood Warning issued April 13 at 3:19PM EDT until April 14 at 2:30PM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Effective: Mon April 13, 2026, 3:19 PM
Expires: Tue April 14, 2026, 2:30 PM

FFWAPX The National Weather Service in Gaylord has extended the * Flash Flood Warning for... A Dam Floodgate Release in... Western Alcona County in northern Michigan... East Central Oscoda County in northern Michigan... * Until 230 PM EDT Tuesday. * At 319 PM EDT, Dam operators reported high flows are being released through the Mio Dam. HAZARD...Flash flooding from elevated river levels. SOURCE...Dam operator. IMPACT...Flooding of areas along the river immediately downstream of the dam. * The nearest downstream town is Mio and then McKinley...located about 9.5 miles from the dam. Areas downstream from the Mio Dam along the Au Sable River should be prepared for flooding. Flooding is occurring along the Au Sable River.

If you are in low lying areas below the Mio Dam you should move to higher ground immediately. Do not attempt to drive across flooded roadways.