Rifle River near Sterling
No watches, warnings or advisories are in effect for this area.
Future / Actual / Minor
OWP 2.0 WWA Modal Title
01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC through 01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC
Sender
Sent
- Upstream gauge unavailableDownstream gauge unavailableWarning: no valid ratings curve available. Transformations to and from FEET/CFS/KCFS will not happen.
Traces and Thresholds Click to turn on/off display
Observed (OBS) 06/17/2025 12:30 AM EDTRecord: 15.7 ftCATEGORY STAGE 
Major Flooding 13 ft Moderate Flooding 11 ft Minor Flooding 6 ft Action 5 ft Reliability of the Forecast: Forecast data shown here are guidance values only. Please refer to your local NWS office.
NOTE: Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. The stages/flows that will occur may be different if future rainfall is different than forecast.
National Water Model Hydrograph
Official NWS streamflow forecasts are produced by NWS hydrologic forecasters for river gauge locations using hydrologic models which are calibrated to that location. This process considers additional guidance and information, including local expertise and experience, to produce the best forecast possible. The NWM output provides supplemental guidance to NWS forecasters and should not be considered an official NWS river forecast.
Flood Impacts
- 15 - Flooding of property along North Main Street in Omer.
- 12 - Flooding of homes along Pinnacle Drive and Miller Road. Flooding of Crystal Creek Campground along Grove Road.
- 11 - High water impacts property south of Townline Road downstream of Melita Road bridge.
Gauge Info
| Coordinates | 44.0725, -84.0200 |
| RFC | NCRFC |
| State | MI |
| WFO | APX |
| County | Arenac |
| Data Provider(s) | |
| US Geological Survey | USGS--Water Resources of the United States |
| USGS | 04142000 |
Gauge Location
Recent Crests
| 1. | 9.15 ft | on 04-01-2025 | (P) |
| 2. | 6.75 ft | on 04-06-2023 | (P) |
| 3. | 7.74 ft | on 03-24-2022 | |
| 4. | 4.72 ft | on 03-12-2021 | |
| 5. | 15.72 ft | on 05-19-2020 |
Recent Crests
| 1. | 9.15 ft | on 04-01-2025 | (P) |
| 2. | 6.75 ft | on 04-06-2023 | (P) |
| 3. | 7.74 ft | on 03-24-2022 | |
| 4. | 4.72 ft | on 03-12-2021 | |
| 5. | 15.72 ft | on 05-19-2020 | |
| 6. | 7.66 ft | on 04-30-2020 | |
| 7. | 8.34 ft | on 12-31-2019 | |
| 8. | 7.01 ft | on 11-28-2019 | |
| 9. | 10.75 ft | on 03-16-2019 | |
| 10. | 6.15 ft | on 10-11-2018 | |
| 11. | 12.96 ft | on 02-21-2018 | |
| 12. | 7.70 ft | on 10-25-2017 | |
| 13. | 7.33 ft | on 02-25-2017 | |
| 14. | 8.46 ft | on 04-01-2016 | |
| 15. | 6.12 ft | on 11-25-2014 | |
| 16. | 10.90 ft | on 04-15-2014 | |
| 17. | 10.30 ft | on 04-19-2013 | |
| 18. | 7.73 ft | on 04-11-2013 | |
| 19. | 9.13 ft | on 03-12-2013 | |
| 20. | 9.01 ft | on 03-14-2012 | |
| 21. | 9.83 ft | on 04-28-2011 | |
| 22. | 6.74 ft | on 07-24-2010 | |
| 23. | 6.37 ft | on 06-14-2010 | |
| 24. | 6.69 ft | on 04-04-2009 | |
| 25. | 9.07 ft | on 02-13-2009 | |
| 26. | 7.51 ft | on 04-02-2008 | |
| 27. | 5.49 ft | on 01-08-2008 | |
| 28. | 9.54 ft | on 03-23-2007 | |
| 29. | 8.54 ft | on 03-14-2006 | |
| 30. | 5.69 ft | on 03-31-2005 | |
| 31. | 8.61 ft | on 05-25-2004 | |
| 32. | 10.08 ft | on 03-06-2004 | |
| 33. | 5.53 ft | on 05-24-2003 | |
| 34. | 6.21 ft | on 03-10-2002 | |
| 35. | 4.67 ft | on 06-03-2001 | |
| 36. | 6.52 ft | on 05-18-2000 | |
| 37. | 5.71 ft | on 06-15-1999 | |
| 38. | 7.93 ft | on 04-01-1998 | |
| 39. | 6.90 ft | on 03-30-1997 | |
| 40. | 9.78 ft | on 06-19-1996 | |
| 41. | 6.60 ft | on 08-17-1995 | |
| 42. | 5.79 ft | on 03-24-1994 | |
| 43. | 6.96 ft | on 03-29-1993 | |
| 44. | 8.21 ft | on 04-17-1992 | |
| 45. | 11.33 ft | on 03-03-1991 | |
| 46. | 9.49 ft | on 03-14-1990 | |
| 47. | 11.39 ft | on 03-28-1989 | |
| 48. | 8.04 ft | on 03-31-1988 | |
| 49. | 6.56 ft | on 10-05-1986 | |
| 50. | 9.80 ft | on 09-30-1986 | |
| 51. | 8.62 ft | on 04-06-1985 | |
| 52. | 6.47 ft | on 03-22-1984 | |
| 53. | 8.30 ft | on 04-15-1983 | |
| 54. | 8.03 ft | on 04-01-1982 | |
| 55. | 6.37 ft | on 04-10-1981 | |
| 56. | 5.00 ft | on 04-10-1980 | |
| 57. | 7.50 ft | on 03-31-1979 | |
| 58. | 7.68 ft | on 04-08-1978 | |
| 59. | 5.04 ft | on 03-13-1977 | |
| 60. | 8.24 ft | on 03-25-1976 | |
| 61. | 9.79 ft | on 09-01-1975 | |
| 62. | 11.43 ft | on 03-06-1974 | |
| 63. | 7.53 ft | on 05-29-1973 | |
| 64. | 8.49 ft | on 04-13-1972 | |
| 65. | 9.14 ft | on 04-14-1971 | |
| 66. | 8.26 ft | on 06-03-1970 | |
| 67. | 8.21 ft | on 05-10-1969 | |
| 68. | 7.27 ft | on 05-28-1968 | |
| 69. | 8.24 ft | on 03-27-1967 | |
| 70. | 7.21 ft | on 12-13-1965 | |
| 71. | 9.65 ft | on 04-12-1965 | |
| 72. | 3.29 ft | on 04-30-1964 | |
| 73. | 8.42 ft | on 03-27-1963 | |
| 74. | 10.67 ft | on 03-30-1962 | |
| 75. | 6.93 ft | on 03-25-1961 | |
| 76. | 7.89 ft | on 03-31-1960 | |
| 77. | 10.99 ft | on 05-21-1959 | |
| 78. | 5.77 ft | on 04-07-1958 | |
| 79. | 6.00 ft | on 04-26-1957 | |
| 80. | 10.01 ft | on 04-04-1956 | |
| 81. | 8.03 ft | on 03-22-1955 | |
| 82. | 6.67 ft | on 03-26-1954 | |
| 83. | 6.95 ft | on 03-19-1953 | |
| 84. | 9.39 ft | on 04-14-1952 | |
| 85. | 8.28 ft | on 04-26-1951 | |
| 86. | 13.74 ft | on 03-28-1950 | |
| 87. | 5.19 ft | on 03-28-1949 | |
| 88. | 12.62 ft | on 03-21-1948 | |
| 89. | 9.21 ft | on 04-06-1947 | |
| 90. | 8.30 ft | on 03-15-1946 | |
| 91. | 10.59 ft | on 06-03-1945 | |
| 92. | 5.09 ft | on 04-25-1944 | |
| 93. | 10.70 ft | on 06-02-1943 | |
| 94. | 8.76 ft | on 03-18-1942 | |
| 95. | 6.58 ft | on 04-03-1941 | |
| 96. | 10.65 ft | on 03-31-1940 | |
| 97. | 12.07 ft | on 03-25-1939 | |
| 98. | 7.70 ft | on 03-21-1938 | |
| 99. | 7.60 ft | on 04-27-1937 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 15.72 ft | on 05-19-2020 |
| 2. | 13.74 ft | on 03-28-1950 |
| 3. | 12.96 ft | on 02-21-2018 |
| 4. | 12.62 ft | on 03-21-1948 |
| 5. | 12.07 ft | on 03-25-1939 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 15.72 ft | on 05-19-2020 | |
| 2. | 13.74 ft | on 03-28-1950 | |
| 3. | 12.96 ft | on 02-21-2018 | |
| 4. | 12.62 ft | on 03-21-1948 | |
| 5. | 12.07 ft | on 03-25-1939 | |
| 6. | 11.43 ft | on 03-06-1974 | |
| 7. | 11.39 ft | on 03-28-1989 | |
| 8. | 11.33 ft | on 03-03-1991 | |
| 9. | 10.99 ft | on 05-21-1959 | |
| 10. | 10.90 ft | on 04-15-2014 | |
| 11. | 10.75 ft | on 03-16-2019 | |
| 12. | 10.70 ft | on 06-02-1943 | |
| 13. | 10.67 ft | on 03-30-1962 | |
| 14. | 10.65 ft | on 03-31-1940 | |
| 15. | 10.59 ft | on 06-03-1945 | |
| 16. | 10.30 ft | on 04-19-2013 | |
| 17. | 10.08 ft | on 03-06-2004 | |
| 18. | 10.01 ft | on 04-04-1956 | |
| 19. | 9.83 ft | on 04-28-2011 | |
| 20. | 9.80 ft | on 09-30-1986 | |
| 21. | 9.79 ft | on 09-01-1975 | |
| 22. | 9.78 ft | on 06-19-1996 | |
| 23. | 9.65 ft | on 04-12-1965 | |
| 24. | 9.54 ft | on 03-23-2007 | |
| 25. | 9.49 ft | on 03-14-1990 | |
| 26. | 9.39 ft | on 04-14-1952 | |
| 27. | 9.21 ft | on 04-06-1947 | |
| 28. | 9.15 ft | on 04-01-2025 | (P) |
| 29. | 9.14 ft | on 04-14-1971 | |
| 30. | 9.13 ft | on 03-12-2013 | |
| 31. | 9.07 ft | on 02-13-2009 | |
| 32. | 9.01 ft | on 03-14-2012 | |
| 33. | 8.76 ft | on 03-18-1942 | |
| 34. | 8.62 ft | on 04-06-1985 | |
| 35. | 8.61 ft | on 05-25-2004 | |
| 36. | 8.54 ft | on 03-14-2006 | |
| 37. | 8.49 ft | on 04-13-1972 | |
| 38. | 8.46 ft | on 04-01-2016 | |
| 39. | 8.42 ft | on 03-27-1963 | |
| 40. | 8.34 ft | on 12-31-2019 | |
| 41. | 8.30 ft | on 03-15-1946 | |
| 42. | 8.30 ft | on 04-15-1983 | |
| 43. | 8.28 ft | on 04-26-1951 | |
| 44. | 8.26 ft | on 06-03-1970 | |
| 45. | 8.24 ft | on 03-25-1976 | |
| 46. | 8.24 ft | on 03-27-1967 | |
| 47. | 8.21 ft | on 04-17-1992 | |
| 48. | 8.21 ft | on 05-10-1969 | |
| 49. | 8.04 ft | on 03-31-1988 | |
| 50. | 8.03 ft | on 04-01-1982 | |
| 51. | 8.03 ft | on 03-22-1955 | |
| 52. | 7.93 ft | on 04-01-1998 | |
| 53. | 7.89 ft | on 03-31-1960 | |
| 54. | 7.74 ft | on 03-24-2022 | |
| 55. | 7.73 ft | on 04-11-2013 | |
| 56. | 7.70 ft | on 03-21-1938 | |
| 57. | 7.70 ft | on 10-25-2017 | |
| 58. | 7.68 ft | on 04-08-1978 | |
| 59. | 7.66 ft | on 04-30-2020 | |
| 60. | 7.60 ft | on 04-27-1937 | |
| 61. | 7.53 ft | on 05-29-1973 | |
| 62. | 7.51 ft | on 04-02-2008 | |
| 63. | 7.50 ft | on 03-31-1979 | |
| 64. | 7.33 ft | on 02-25-2017 | |
| 65. | 7.27 ft | on 05-28-1968 | |
| 66. | 7.21 ft | on 12-13-1965 | |
| 67. | 7.01 ft | on 11-28-2019 | |
| 68. | 6.96 ft | on 03-29-1993 | |
| 69. | 6.95 ft | on 03-19-1953 | |
| 70. | 6.93 ft | on 03-25-1961 | |
| 71. | 6.90 ft | on 03-30-1997 | |
| 72. | 6.75 ft | on 04-06-2023 | (P) |
| 73. | 6.74 ft | on 07-24-2010 | |
| 74. | 6.69 ft | on 04-04-2009 | |
| 75. | 6.67 ft | on 03-26-1954 | |
| 76. | 6.60 ft | on 08-17-1995 | |
| 77. | 6.58 ft | on 04-03-1941 | |
| 78. | 6.56 ft | on 10-05-1986 | |
| 79. | 6.52 ft | on 05-18-2000 | |
| 80. | 6.47 ft | on 03-22-1984 | |
| 81. | 6.37 ft | on 06-14-2010 | |
| 82. | 6.37 ft | on 04-10-1981 | |
| 83. | 6.21 ft | on 03-10-2002 | |
| 84. | 6.15 ft | on 10-11-2018 | |
| 85. | 6.12 ft | on 11-25-2014 | |
| 86. | 6.00 ft | on 04-26-1957 | |
| 87. | 5.79 ft | on 03-24-1994 | |
| 88. | 5.77 ft | on 04-07-1958 | |
| 89. | 5.71 ft | on 06-15-1999 | |
| 90. | 5.69 ft | on 03-31-2005 | |
| 91. | 5.53 ft | on 05-24-2003 | |
| 92. | 5.49 ft | on 01-08-2008 | |
| 93. | 5.19 ft | on 03-28-1949 | |
| 94. | 5.09 ft | on 04-25-1944 | |
| 95. | 5.04 ft | on 03-13-1977 | |
| 96. | 5.00 ft | on 04-10-1980 | |
| 97. | 4.72 ft | on 03-12-2021 | |
| 98. | 4.67 ft | on 06-03-2001 | |
| 99. | 3.29 ft | on 04-30-1964 |
Vertical Datum Table
| type | NAVD88 |
|---|---|
| major Flooding | 661.95 ft |
| moderate Flooding | 659.95 ft |
| minor Flooding | 654.95 ft |
| action | 653.95 ft |
| Latest Value | 650.33 ft |
| Gauge Zero | 648.95 ft |
Gauge Photos
No Images Found
Unique Local Info
USGS Water Temperature/Water Quality
How low could the river get?
Collaborative Agencies
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.