Red Cedar River at East Lansing

1. 13.00 ftExpect major widespread flooding of homes and businesses in area around the mouth of the Red Cedar along Sprint, Hazel, Elm, South, Clear, River, Cedar, and Beech Streets. Apartments flooded on South Washington and East Main Street. Kellogg Center, Armstrong Hall, Bailey Hall, Van Hoosen Hall, Chapel, Emmons Hall, and University Village impacted by high water.
2. 12.00 ftExpect moderate flooding of Jenison Fieldhouse, Intramural Sports Circle, Demonstration Hall on the Michigan State University campus. University Village begins to be impacted by flood waters.
3. 11.50 ftExpect moderate widespread flooding of homes and businesses in the Kalamazoo and Clippert Street, South Street, and Cedar and Beech Street areas of Lansing.
4. 10.50 ftExpect moderate flooding of homes and businesses in the Cedar and Beech Streets area, South Street, and 1.5 miles downstream of gage site.
5. 10.00 ftJenison Fieldhouse, Intramural Sports Circle, Demonstration Hall on the Michigan State University campus impacted by flood water.
6. 9.00 ftJenison Fieldhouse and Intramural Sports Circle on the Michigan State University begin to get impacted by flood water.
7. 8.50 ftMinor flooding of farmland, Michigan State University athletic fields, and secondary roads.
8. 8.00 ftThe Potter Park Zoo parking lot in Lansing begins to flood.
9. 7.00 ftExpect minor flooding of low lying areas, adjacent parks, and farmland.
10. 6.50 ftWater begins to encroach on some Michigan State University athletic fields.
11. 6.00 ftRiver reaches bankfull and low lying areas flood.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.

Most recent crests

• January 28, 2024: 6.99 ft
• April 6, 2023: 8.05 ft
• February 19, 2022: 6.62 ft
• August 13, 2021: 7.18 ft
• May 20, 2020: 8.99 ft
• January 14, 2020: 7.80 ft
• March 16, 2019: 5.83 ft
• February 22, 2018: 10.28 ft
• April 8, 2017: 8.48 ft
• April 12, 2016: 5.87 ft

• UpstreamRed Cedar River at Williamston
• Grand River at Lansing
• Sycamore Creek at Holt
• Sloan Creek at Williamston
• Grand River at Dimondale
• Grand River at Grand Ledge
• Grand River at Eaton Rapids
• Looking Glass River at Eagle

Forecasts by the North Central River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.