What water level is good for paddling Sugar River — Albany to Brodhead?

This section is generally runnable at 120–1,500 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 Sugar River levels?

We read USGS gauge 05436500 — 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 Sugar River — Albany to Brodhead 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 Sugar 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 Sugar River — Albany to Brodhead?

This reach is about 13 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Sugar River — Albany to Brodhead: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I13 mi · ~4 hrSugar RiverWisconsin

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 7:00 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

258 cfs

0.9 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 05436500

Runnable 120 – 1,500 cfs

01201,5001,776

What this means today

At 258 cfs the Sugar River is inside the runnable range but only 138 cfs above the 120 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, 263 cfs to 258 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 262 cfs and 317 cfs, 17% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Albany to Brodhead

Sugar River at Albany to Brodhead is a 13-mile Class I run in Wisconsin — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Albany landing and take out at Brodhead (Ten Eyck Road area), 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 120–1,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Sugar 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 05436500 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: 13 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: May–October
Put-in: Albany landing
Take-out: Brodhead (Ten Eyck Road area)

Reading USGS gauge 05436500 — SUGAR RIVER NEAR BRODHEAD, WI ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Sugar River — Albany to Brodhead?: This section is generally runnable at 120–1,500 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 Sugar River levels?: We read USGS gauge 05436500 — 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 Sugar River — Albany to Brodhead 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 Sugar 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 Sugar River — Albany to Brodhead?: This reach is about 13 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

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