Sturgeon River near Alston water level
River gauge, Sturgeon River, Michigan, United States
Right now
Below flood stage
Water level
- Flow
- 170 cfs
- Water temperature
- 53 °F
History
What this means
The Sturgeon River near Alston is at 4.09 ft, in the normal range.
It is 3.91 ft below the flood stage of 8.00 ft.
It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. In the last month it has stayed between 3.92 ft and 4.10 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns. The water temperature at the gauge is 53 °F.
Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Highest on record
- 13.75 ftApril 24, 1960
Floating and fishing near Sturgeon River near Alston
Normal flows mean predictable rapids and good access at most put-ins.
Flood stage here is 8.00 ft, 3.91 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 11.00 ft
- Additional homes and structures near the river are impacted and evacuations may be necessary. Water levels may reach the bottom of Froberg bridge in addition to other bridges that cross the river
- 8.00 ft
- Homes and structures along the low lying areas and numerous roads become impacted by flood water. In Houghton County...Sturgeon River Road...Aho Road...and Rajala Road are impacted. In Baraga County...Sturgeon Road...Halonen Road and Usitalo Road are impacted. Along Froberg Road...Tahtinen Road...Irwin Road...Oliver Road...and Shirley Road are impacted.
- 4.09 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
Chance of at least minor flooding in October to December: < 5 %.
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13.75 ft | April 24, 1960 |
| 2 | 12.10 ft | April 22, 2019 |
| 3 | 11.92 ft | April 18, 2002 |
| 4 | 11.78 ft | April 29, 1951 |
| 5 | 11.64 ft | July 16, 1968 |
| 6 | 11.49 ft | May 6, 1950 |
| 7 | 11.43 ft | April 21, 1985 |
| 8 | 11.25 ft | July 2, 1992 |
| 9 | 11.23 ft | April 22, 1957 |
| 10 | 11.13 ft | April 20, 1952 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the Sturgeon River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon River near SidnawRiver gauge, Sturgeon River | 3.78 ft | Below flood stage | −0.10 ft | 11 mi |
| Sturgeon River near Nahma JunctionRiver gauge, Sturgeon River | 4.10 ft | Below flood stage | −0.08 ft | 108 mi |
| Sturgeon River at Us Hwy-2 at LorettoRiver gauge, Sturgeon River | 129 cfs | Low | ±0 | 77 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falls River near L'anseRiver gauge, Falls River | 23.8 cfs | Low | −5.1 cfs | 10 mi |
| Silver River near L'anseRiver gauge, Silver River | 6.56 ft | Below flood stage | −0.09 ft | 17 mi |
| Pilgrim River at Paradise Road near DodgevilleRiver gauge, Pilgrim River | 90.0 cfs | Very high | +1.3 cfs | 25 mi |
| Ontonagon River near RocklandRiver gauge, Ontonagon River | 5.34 ft | Below flood stage | −0.05 ft | 26 mi |
| Middle Branch Ontonagon River near PauldingRiver gauge, Middle Branch Ontonagon River | 4.25 ft | Below flood stage | −0.07 ft | 32 mi |
| Trap Rock River near Lake LindenRiver gauge, Trap Rock River | 3.50 ft | Below flood stage | −0.12 ft | 37 mi |
| Salmon Trout River near Big BayRiver gauge, Salmon Trout River | 5.1 cfs | Normal | −0.2 cfs | 37 mi |
| East Branch Salmon Trout River near Dodge CityRiver gauge, East Branch Salmon Trout River | 15.1 cfs | Low | −0.5 cfs | 39 mi |
Questions and answers
What is flood stage for the Sturgeon River near Alston?
The official flood stage is 8.00 ft. The level is currently 3.91 ft below it.
Is gage height the same as water depth?
No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.
What is the water level of Sturgeon River near Alston today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 10:30 AM CDT, the water level was 4.09 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Sturgeon River near Alston rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is the level of Sturgeon River near Alston normal?
Below flood stage. Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at Sturgeon River near Alston?
The highest level on record is 13.75 ft on April 24, 1960.
How often is this data updated?
The U.S. Geological Survey publishes a new reading every 15 minutes. This page refreshes within minutes of each update.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:04041500(Agency page)- Coordinates
46.72583, -88.66242(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NAVD88
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 4.09 ft | 2026-10-19 15:30 | Provisional |
| Flow | 170 cfs | 2026-10-19 15:30 | Provisional |
| Water temperature | 53 °F | 2026-10-19 15:30 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Sturgeon River near Alston (usgs:04041500). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/michigan/sturgeon-river-near-alston
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer