What water level is good for paddling Oconto River — Lower (Stiles to Oconto)?

We don't yet have a published runnable range for this section, so we can't give a firm number. Check the live USGS gauge and ask a local outfitter before you go.

How do I check Oconto River levels?

We read USGS gauge 04071000 — 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 Oconto River — Lower (Stiles to Oconto) 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 Oconto 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.

Oconto River — Lower (Stiles to Oconto): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class IOconto RiverWisconsin

Verdict · updated Aug 25, 8:30 AM UTC

No runnable range yet

We don’t have a runnable range for this section yet — many of these are calm or dam-controlled reaches. Here’s the current gauge reading; check it (and, for tailwaters, the dam’s generation schedule) before you go.

Estimated range

308 cfs

0.9 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 04071000

What this means today

There is no published runnable range for this reach, so we won't grade the reading against one. What we can show is what the gauge itself is doing.

Daily average flow — a different measurement from the gauge height this reach is graded on — has run between 266 cfs and 328 cfs, 21% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Lower (Stiles to Oconto)

Oconto River at Lower (Stiles to Oconto) is a Class I run in Wisconsin — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Stiles landing and take out at Oconto / Green Bay area.

We track USGS gauge 04071000 for this reach, but there isn't a published runnable range for it yet, so we won't invent a firm number. Use the live reading and 7-day trend above to see whether the Oconto River is rising or falling, and check with a local outfitter or paddling club before you commit to a launch.

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: —
Float time: —
Best months: May–October
Put-in: Stiles landing
Take-out: Oconto / Green Bay area

Reading USGS gauge 04071000 — OCONTO RIVER NEAR GILLETT, WI ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Oconto River — Lower (Stiles to Oconto)?: We don't yet have a published runnable range for this section, so we can't give a firm number. Check the live USGS gauge and ask a local outfitter before you go.
How do I check Oconto River levels?: We read USGS gauge 04071000 — 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 Oconto River — Lower (Stiles to Oconto) 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 Oconto 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.

Nearby sections

No reading