RIFLE RIVER NEAR STERLING, MI
USGS 04142000 · Michigan · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading RIFLE RIVER NEAR STERLING, MI…
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USGS 04142000 · Michigan · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 10:30 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT to Nov 5, 10:30 PM EST; ranging 210 to 233 ft³/s; latest 228 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 10:30 PM EST | 228 | 1.74 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 PM EST | 233 | 1.76 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST | 231 | 1.75 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM EST | 228 | 1.74 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST | 228 | 1.74 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST | 228 | 1.74 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM EST | 226 | 1.73 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST | 228 | 1.74 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM EST | 228 | 1.74 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM EST | 226 | 1.73 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM EST | 224 | 1.72 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM EST | 226 | 1.73 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM EST | 222 | 1.71 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM EST | 222 | 1.71 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM EST | 222 | 1.71 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM EST | 222 | 1.71 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM EST | 224 | 1.72 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM EST | 224 | 1.72 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST | 222 | 1.71 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM EST | 224 | 1.72 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM EST | 222 | 1.71 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM EST | 222 | 1.71 | 194–289 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM EST | 222 | 1.71 | 194–289 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM EST | 224 | 1.72 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM EST | 222 | 1.71 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM EST | 224 | 1.72 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM EST | 226 | 1.73 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM EST | 224 | 1.72 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM EST | 222 | 1.71 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST | 220 | 1.7 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM EST | 220 | 1.7 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM EST | 220 | 1.7 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM EST | 220 | 1.7 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM EST | 220 | 1.7 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM EST | 220 | 1.7 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM EST | 220 | 1.7 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 197–289 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–289 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM EST | 220 | 1.7 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 201–299 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM EST | 220 | 1.7 | 201–299 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM EST | 218 | 1.69 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 197–311 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 197–311 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM EST | 216 | 1.68 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM EST | 214 | 1.67 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM EST | 210 | 1.65 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM EST | 210 | 1.65 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST | 210 | 1.65 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST | 210 | 1.65 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST | 212 | 1.66 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT | 212 | 1.66 | 192–287 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT | 214 | 1.67 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT | 212 | 1.66 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT | 212 | 1.66 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT | 214 | 1.67 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT | 218 | 1.69 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT | 218 | 1.69 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT | 218 | 1.69 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT | 218 | 1.69 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT | 218 | 1.69 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT | 216 | 1.68 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT | 218 | 1.69 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT | 218 | 1.69 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT | 218 | 1.69 | 189–272 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT | 218 | 1.69 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT | 222 | 1.71 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT | 218 | 1.69 | 189–277 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT | 220 | 1.7 | 180–275 |
Map of USGS gauge 04142000 and the river around it
Where RIFLE RIVER NEAR STERLING, MI sits.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Michigan DNR publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Michigan rule: 68°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: Michigan fish stocking · Michigan fishing regulations.
Normal for Nov 5: 194–289 ft³/s (middle half of 89 years of record). Now: 228 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 228 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 89 years of record (1938–2026): 10th 178, 25th 194, median 239, 75th 289, 90th 493 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 146 ft³/s, highest 1,100 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (+2.7% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 1.74 ft stage, 229 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:30 PM EST (NWS gauge STRM4; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 11:08 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.