Stratus Rain Gauge: The American-Made Precision Rain Gauge Built by Darter Plastics

Part of the America250: Built Here. Built Better. series — celebrating the American makers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs behind every FLI Products innovation.

Rainfall measurement sounds simple. But ask any serious gardener, farmer, or weather watcher who has relied on a cheap plastic gauge and they'll tell you the same thing: the numbers don't add up. The tube is too narrow to read accurately. The markings fade. The gauge tips over in the wind. And when you're making decisions about when to water, when to irrigate, or when to report to a citizen science network, inaccurate data costs you time, money, and yield.

Stratus was designed for people who need accurate rainfall data. And it was designed and manufactured right here in the United States.

Stratus Precision Rain Gauge is the official rain gauge recommended by CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network) and trusted by NOAA citizen scientists across America. Accurate to 0.01 inch, built for outdoor durability, and made in the USA by Darter Plastics — it's the gold standard in residential and citizen science rainfall measurement.

Built by Darter Plastics — American Precision for American Weather Watchers

Stratus Rain Gauge is manufactured by Darter Plastics, one of FLI Products' most trusted American manufacturing partners. Darter also manufactures AnchorStake, Bait Up, Flex Strainer, HoleMate, MitoGrow, and Tomato Crater — seven FLI Products brands from one trusted American manufacturer spanning kitchen, garden, fishing, and outdoor categories.

The CoCoRaHS Standard

CoCoRaHS — the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network — is one of the largest citizen science networks in the United States, with more than 20,000 active volunteers reporting daily precipitation data to NOAA and state climatologists. CoCoRaHS volunteers are required to use a standardized gauge to ensure data consistency across the network.

The Stratus Precision Rain Gauge is the gauge CoCoRaHS recommends. That recommendation isn't marketing — it's a scientific endorsement based on accuracy, consistency, and durability across thousands of measurement sites in every climate and weather condition in America.

When citizen scientists from Minnesota to Florida, from Maine to California, need a rain gauge they can trust, they choose Stratus. And Stratus is made right here in the United States.

What Makes Stratus Different

• 0.01-inch accuracy — the precision standard required by CoCoRaHS and NOAA citizen science programs
• 4-inch diameter outer tube — the wide opening captures more rainfall for accurate measurement, especially in light rain events
• Inner measuring tube — magnifies rainfall 10x for easy, precise reading to 0.01 inch
• Overflow capacity — the outer tube holds overflow for heavy rain events; simply measure the inner tube and add the overflow
• UV-stabilized materials — American-made construction that doesn't yellow, crack, or degrade in sunlight
• Stable mounting — designed for post or fence mounting at the correct height for accurate measurement

Tom Whitaker has tracked rainfall in his garden for decades — and his take on Stratus reflects the difference between guessing and knowing:

"Most gardeners water by feel — and most of them overwater or underwater as a result. Once you start tracking actual rainfall with a Stratus gauge, you realize how much you were guessing. It changes how you manage your garden, your irrigation, and your watering schedule. And knowing it's the same gauge that NOAA citizen scientists use — made right here in America — that's the kind of product I'm proud to recommend." — Tom Whitaker, FLI Products Advisor

Stratus in the Garden Ecosystem

Stratus Rain Gauge is the data layer of the FLI Products garden system — telling you exactly how much water your garden has received so you can make smarter decisions about when and how much to water:

• Tomato Crater — delivers water to the root zone efficiently
• MitoGrow — root zone nutrition for maximum yield
• Stake It — anchors trellises and supports without digging
• C-Bites — modular plant support clips
• Stratus Rain Gauge — know exactly how much rain your garden received before you decide to water

FLI Products and the Walmart Open Call

Stratus Rain Gauge is part of FLI Products' commitment to the Walmart Open Call program. Learn more at corporate.walmart.com.

#WalmartOpenCall #MadeInUSA #America250 #Stratus #CoCoRaHS

Heard on Made in America

FLI Products is a recurring guest on Made in America with Rita Compton and Michael King — hosted by Rita Compton, known as America's Inventor Lady. Listen here: Made in America Podcast

Where to Buy Stratus Rain Gauge

• Walmart (online only)
• Amazon
• Lowe's
• Tractor Supply
• Target
• Wayfair
• Zoro
• Best Buy
• And directly at fliproducts.com

Part of a Bigger Story

• America250: Built Here. Built Better. — The FLI Products Story
• AnchorStake: Planting a Stake in American Manufacturing
• HoleMate: American-Made Ice Fishing Scoop
• Flex Strainer: American-Made 2-in-1 Sink Strainer
• Stake It: American-Made No-Dig Ground Anchors
• Shop All Made in USA Products

Shop Stratus Rain Gauge — Made in USA →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Stratus Rain Gauge made?

Stratus Rain Gauge is made in the United States by Darter Plastics, a trusted American plastic injection molding manufacturer and FLI Products partner.

Why do CoCoRaHS and NOAA recommend Stratus?

CoCoRaHS recommends Stratus because its 4-inch diameter opening and inner measuring tube provide the 0.01-inch accuracy required for consistent citizen science data collection. The wide opening captures more rainfall than narrow-tube gauges, especially in light rain events.

How accurate is the Stratus Rain Gauge?

Stratus is accurate to 0.01 inch — the precision standard required by CoCoRaHS and NOAA citizen science programs. The inner measuring tube magnifies rainfall 10x for easy, precise reading.

Can Stratus measure snow?

Yes. Stratus can be used to measure snow water equivalent — bring the gauge inside to melt the snow, then measure the water depth. CoCoRaHS provides detailed winter precipitation measurement guidance for Stratus users.

Is Stratus Rain Gauge available at Walmart?

Yes. Stratus is available online at Walmart.com, as well as at Amazon, Tractor Supply, and other major retailers.

Who is Tom Whitaker?

Tom Whitaker is a retired manufacturing professional and lifelong gardener with 40 years of growing experience. Learn more at fliproducts.com/pages/learn-from-tom.