Kickapoo River — La Farge to Steuben (Lower): Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Kickapoo River · Class I · Wisconsin
Warning
Dangerous — do not paddle
Flows are dangerously high. Do not paddle this section. Come back when the river drops.
USGS gauge 05410490 · updated Jul 9, 7:45 AM UTC
7-day flow trend
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.