River stage
Crane Lake, Vermilion River
- River level
- 4.22 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.12 ft
- Recent high
- 6.77 ft
- Recent low
- 3.95 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS CLKM5
- 30-day change
- +0.19 ft
- Average
- 4.75 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 16.43 ft
In brief
The Vermilion River at Crane Lake, MN read 4.22 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 7.78 ft below action stage. That is 0.19 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge CLKM5
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16.43 ft | 2022-05-14 |
| 2 | 15.20 ft | 1985-04-25 |
| 3 | 15.15 ft | 1979-04-01 |
| 4 | 14.76 ft | 2011-04-14 |
| 5 | 14.19 ft | 2001-05-26 |
| 6 | 14.01 ft | 2008-04-26 |
| 7 | 13.98 ft | 2013-05-04 |
| 8 | 13.96 ft | 2014-06-04 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 12.00 ft
Flooding of Gold Mine Road and public river access begins.
- 14.00 ft
Gold Mine Road flooding likely at public river access. Access to Gold Mine Camp affected.
- 16.00 ft
Gold Mine Road not passable. Flooding over roadway and public river access.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Vermilion River flooding at Crane Lake?
No. The Vermilion River at Crane Lake is at 4.22 ft, 7.78 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Crane Lake?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 12 ft, minor flooding 14 ft, moderate flooding 16 ft and major flooding 18 ft.
What is the highest the Vermilion River has been at Crane Lake?
The highest crest on record is 16.43 ft, on 2022-05-14.
Is the Vermilion River high or low right now at Crane Lake?
At 4.22 ft it is higher than 34% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge CLKM5); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05129115). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.