What water level is good for paddling Kickapoo River — La Farge to Steuben (Lower)?

This section is generally runnable at 100–500 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 Kickapoo River levels?

We read USGS gauge 05410490 — 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 Kickapoo River — La Farge to Steuben (Lower) 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 Kickapoo River here?

Typically April–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.

Kickapoo River — La Farge to Steuben (Lower): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class IKickapoo RiverWisconsin

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 3:45 AM UTC

High — use caution

Flows are above the comfortable range. Expect strong current, pushy water, cold temperatures and fewer places to stop. Experienced paddlers only — many should wait.

Estimated range

512 cfs

6.6 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 05410490

Runnable 100 – 500 cfs

0100500580

What this means today

At 512 cfs the Kickapoo River is 12 cfs above the 500 cfs ceiling for this reach, so it is running higher and faster than the range this section is graded for.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 495 cfs to 512 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 498 cfs and 565 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling La Farge to Steuben (Lower)

Kickapoo River at La Farge to Steuben (Lower) is a Class I run in Wisconsin — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at La Farge landing and take out at Steuben landing.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 100–500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Kickapoo 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 05410490 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 April–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: —
Float time: —
Best months: April–October
Put-in: La Farge landing
Take-out: Steuben landing

Reading USGS gauge 05410490 — KICKAPOO RIVER AT STEUBEN, WI ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Kickapoo River — La Farge to Steuben (Lower)?: This section is generally runnable at 100–500 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 Kickapoo River levels?: We read USGS gauge 05410490 — 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 Kickapoo River — La Farge to Steuben (Lower) 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 Kickapoo River here?: Typically April–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.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 3,720 cfs