Black River — Lower (North Bend to Galesville): Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Black River · Flatwater · Wisconsin
Current verdict
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
USGS gauge 05382000 · updated Jul 9, 8:00 AM UTC
7-day flow trend
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Flatwater
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- May–October
- Put-in
- North Bend landing
- Take-out
- Galesville / Lake Marinuka area
Reading USGS gauge 05382000 — BLACK RIVER NEAR GALESVILLE, WI ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)
FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Black River — Lower (North Bend to Galesville)?
This section is generally runnable at above 300 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). 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 Black River levels?
We read USGS gauge 05382000 — 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 Black River — Lower (North Bend to Galesville) good for beginners?
This is a flatwater section — no rapids under normal levels — so it's beginner-friendly when the gauge is in range. High water changes everything: cold, fast water is dangerous for anyone.
When is the best time to paddle Black 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.