What water level is good for paddling Baraboo River — North Freedom to Baraboo?

This section is generally runnable at 350–900 cfs. Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.

How do I check Baraboo River levels?

We read USGS gauge 05405000 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.

Is Baraboo River — North Freedom to Baraboo good for beginners?

This section is rated Class I. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.

When is the best time to paddle Baraboo River here?

Typically May–October, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.

How long does it take to float Baraboo River — North Freedom to Baraboo?

This reach is about 15 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Baraboo River — North Freedom to Baraboo: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I15 mi · ~5 hrBaraboo RiverWisconsin

Verdict · updated Aug 24, 1:00 AM UTC

Too low to paddle

Not enough water to float well — expect scraping and walking. Wait for rain or a dam release.

327 cfs

7.7 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 05405000

Runnable 350 – 900 cfs

03509001,035

What this means today

At 327 cfs the Baraboo River is 23 cfs short of the 350 cfs this reach needs to float — that is the gap between today's reading and the bottom of the runnable range, not a small margin you can paddle through.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 333 cfs to 327 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 294 cfs and 347 cfs, 14% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling North Freedom to Baraboo

Baraboo River at North Freedom to Baraboo is a 15-mile Class I run in Wisconsin — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at North Freedom landing and take out at Baraboo (Haskins Park / Hwy 113), a trip that runs about 5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 350–900 cfs. Much below that and the Baraboo River gets low and bony, so you end up scraping gravel and walking the shallows; well above the top of the range it turns fast, cold and pushy, which is a more serious day than most casual boaters want. We read USGS gauge 05405000 about every 30 minutes and compare the live number to that window, so the verdict at the top of this page reflects conditions right now rather than a monthly average.

Flows here are usually most dependable May–October. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.

7-day flow trend

Daily mean flow (cfs), past 7 days. Shaded band = runnable range.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class I
Length: 15 mi
Float time: ~5 hr
Best months: May–October
Put-in: North Freedom landing
Take-out: Baraboo (Haskins Park / Hwy 113)

Reading USGS gauge 05405000 — BARABOO RIVER NEAR BARABOO, WI ↗

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Baraboo River — North Freedom to Baraboo?: This section is generally runnable at 350–900 cfs. Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.
How do I check Baraboo River levels?: We read USGS gauge 05405000 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.
Is Baraboo River — North Freedom to Baraboo good for beginners?: This section is rated Class I. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.
When is the best time to paddle Baraboo River here?: Typically May–October, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.
How long does it take to float Baraboo River — North Freedom to Baraboo?: This reach is about 15 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 4,360 cfs