What water level is good for paddling Kickapoo River — Rockton to La Farge?

This section is generally runnable at 60–200 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 Kickapoo River levels?

We read USGS gauge 05408000 — 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 — Rockton to La Farge 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.

How long does it take to float Kickapoo River — Rockton to La Farge?

This reach is about 10 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Kickapoo River — Rockton to La Farge: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I10 mi · ~4 hrKickapoo RiverWisconsin

Verdict · updated Aug 26, 1:00 PM 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.

205 cfs

3.3 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 05408000

Runnable 60 – 200 cfs

060200230

What this means today

At 205 cfs the Kickapoo River is 5 cfs above the 200 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 gone from 181 cfs to 205 cfs, 13% up. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 179 cfs and 288 cfs, 31% lower at the end of the week than the start. The last day and the week as a whole point opposite ways, which usually means a recent rain bump on top of a longer falling trend — worth a second look at the chart before you commit to the drive.

Paddling Rockton to La Farge

Kickapoo River at Rockton to La Farge is a 10-mile Class I run in Wisconsin — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Landing 12, Rockton and take out at Landing 20, La Farge, a trip that runs about 4 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 60–200 cfs. 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 05408000 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: 10 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Landing 12, Rockton ↗
Take-out: Landing 20, La Farge ↗

Reading USGS gauge 05408000 — KICKAPOO RIVER AT LA FARGE, WI ↗

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Kickapoo River — Rockton to La Farge?: This section is generally runnable at 60–200 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 Kickapoo River levels?: We read USGS gauge 05408000 — 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 — Rockton to La Farge 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.
How long does it take to float Kickapoo River — Rockton to La Farge?: This reach is about 10 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

High — caution · 205 cfs