What water level is good for paddling Lower Wisconsin — Sauk City to Spring Green?

This section is generally runnable at 2,000–20,000 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 Wisconsin River levels?

We read USGS gauge 05407000 — 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 Lower Wisconsin — Sauk City to Spring Green 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 Wisconsin 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 Lower Wisconsin — Sauk City to Spring Green?

This reach is about 19 miles, roughly 7 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Lower Wisconsin — Sauk City to Spring Green: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I19 mi · ~7 hrWisconsin RiverWisconsin

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 7:00 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

3,750 cfs

0.9 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 05407000

Runnable 2,000 – 20,000 cfs

02,00020,00023,600

What this means today

At 3,750 cfs the Wisconsin River is inside the runnable range but only 1,750 cfs above the 2,000 cfs floor, so it is sitting at the shallow end of what this reach runs at. A dry few days would take it under.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 3,700 cfs to 3,750 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 3,730 cfs and 4,440 cfs, 16% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Lower Wisconsin — Sauk City to Spring Green

Wisconsin River at Lower Wisconsin — Sauk City to Spring Green is a 19-mile Class I run in Wisconsin — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Sauk City / Prairie du Sac landing and take out at Spring Green landing, a trip that runs about 7 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 2,000–20,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Wisconsin 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 05407000 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: 19 mi
Float time: ~7 hr
Best months: May–October
Put-in: Sauk City / Prairie du Sac landing
Take-out: Spring Green landing

Reading USGS gauge 05407000 — WISCONSIN RIVER AT MUSCODA, WI ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Lower Wisconsin — Sauk City to Spring Green?: This section is generally runnable at 2,000–20,000 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 Wisconsin River levels?: We read USGS gauge 05407000 — 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 Lower Wisconsin — Sauk City to Spring Green 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 Wisconsin 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 Lower Wisconsin — Sauk City to Spring Green?: This reach is about 19 miles, roughly 7 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 3,750 cfs