Milwaukee River — Grafton to Cedarburg: Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Milwaukee River · Class II · Wisconsin
Current verdict
High — use caution — rising fast
Flows are above the comfortable range. Expect strong current, pushy water, cold temperatures and fewer places to stop. Experienced paddlers only — many should wait.
USGS gauge 04086600 · updated Jul 9, 8:00 AM UTC
7-day flow trend
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Class II
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- May–October
- Put-in
- Grafton (Lime Kiln Park area)
- Take-out
- Cedarburg area landing
Reading USGS gauge 04086600 — MILWAUKEE RIVER NEAR CEDARBURG, WI ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)
FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Milwaukee River — Grafton to Cedarburg?
This section is generally runnable at 250–700 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 Milwaukee River levels?
We read USGS gauge 04086600 — 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 Milwaukee River — Grafton to Cedarburg good for beginners?
This section is rated Class II. 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 Milwaukee 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.