Cass River at Vassar
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 18.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 15.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 14.00 ft |
| Action | 12.00 ft |
- 24.80 ftAll of downtown Vassar floods. Most businesses and about 50 homes flood. The flood waters reach the intersection of Main and Huron Streets on the northwest side of the downtown area, and the intersection of Huron and East Streets on the southeast side. One story homes on Cass Avenue along the river may flood up to the eaves.
- 17.70 ftMany businesses and homes flood with considerable damage. Some homes flood with up to 2 feet of water. Back water from the Moore drain could cause flooding to reach up to 4 feet deep in some businesses. The river also begins touching the bottom of the M-15 bridge.
- 17.00 ftEast Huron Street begins to flood near the bridge in Vassar.
- 15.00 ftSome homes begin to flood.
- 14.00 ftSome basements of businesses near the river begin to flood. Water Street in Vassar will be flooded up to a foot.
- 12.00 ftSome overflow along the banks begins.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
38 crests on NOAA’s list since 1916.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 12, 1986 | 24.82 ft |
| 2 | March 20, 1948 | 20.80 ft |
| 3 | March 18, 1942 | 19.00 ft |
| 4 | March 30, 1916 | 18.90 ft |
| 5 | April 6, 1929 | 18.50 ft |
| 6 | May 22, 1996 | 18.50 ft |
| 7 | June 22, 1996 | 18.20 ft |
| 8 | February 22, 1997 | 18.20 ft |
| 9 | March 6, 1976 | 17.70 ft |
| 10 | February 13, 2009 | 17.27 ft |
| 11 | February 3, 1968 | 16.98 ft |
| 12 | February 7, 1938 | 16.80 ft |
| 13 | April 1, 1960 | 16.70 ft |
| 14 | March 29, 1967 | 16.26 ft |
| 15 | March 7, 2004 | 16.00 ft |
| 16 | July 8, 1994 | 15.80 ft |
| 17 | March 5, 1974 | 15.74 ft |
| 18 | April 13, 2013 | 15.30 ft |
| 19 | May 18, 1923 | 15.20 ft |
| 20 | June 19, 1996 | 15.10 ft |
| 21 | February 22, 2018 | 15.05 ft |
| 22 | June 17, 1984 | 15.00 ft |
| 23 | April 20, 2013 | 14.95 ft |
| 24 | February 11, 2001 | 14.80 ft |
| 25 | March 11, 2006 | 14.78 ft |
Most recent crests
- February 22, 2018: 15.05 ft
- April 20, 2013: 14.95 ft
- April 13, 2013: 15.30 ft
- April 30, 2011: 14.63 ft
- April 29, 2009: 14.28 ft
- February 13, 2009: 17.27 ft
- December 29, 2008: 14.65 ft
- March 11, 2006: 14.78 ft
- March 7, 2004: 16.00 ft
- February 11, 2001: 14.80 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the North Central River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. Stage measured manually and reported by river observer. No automated gauge on-site. 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.
Sources
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.