Menomonee River At Wauwatosa flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Menomonee River At Wauwatosa is flowing at 23 cfs with a gage height of 1.61 ft, receding 11% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #04087120, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Menomonee River At Wauwatosa at a glance
How Menomonee River At Wauwatosa is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Menomonee River At Wauwatosa is flowing at 23 cfs, with the water sitting 1.61 ft at the gage. Flow is down 11% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #04087120 in Wisconsin. Over the past 10 days the average has been 38 cfs, peaking at 73 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Menomonee River At Wauwatosa is expected to recede from today's 26 cfs, toward roughly 21 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 6-71 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Wisconsin flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Menomonee River At Wauwatosa
The river is a tributary of Lake Michigan and its flow is influenced by several factors, including precipitation, runoff, and dam releases. The river is also home to several dams, including the Miller Park Dam and the Valley Power Plant Dam. Seasonal trends in flow rates are influenced by snowmelt and rainfall, with the highest flow rates typically occurring in the spring and the lowest rates in the fall. Despite being heavily industrialized in the past, the Menomonee River has undergone significant restoration efforts in recent years, making it a popular destination for recreational activities like kayaking and fishing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Menomonee River At Wauwatosa's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Menomonee River At Wauwatosa | 23 cfs |
| Honey Creek At Wauwatosa | 1 cfs |
| Underwood Creek At Wauwatosa | 3 cfs |
| Lincoln Creek At Sherman Boulevard At Milwaukee | 1 cfs |
| Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee | 4 cfs |
| Milwaukee R @ Jones Island Mouth-At Milwaukee | 94 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Menomonee River At Wauwatosa. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Brookfield | 0 in |
| Germantown | 0 in |
| Big Bend | 0 in |
| Jackson | 0 in |
| Sewage Disposal Plant | 0 in |
| Allenton | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Menomonee River At Wauwatosa.
Boat launches
See all →
River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Menomonee River At Wauwatosa in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Menomonee River At Wauwatosa crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Menomonee River At Wauwatosa
Where does the streamflow data for Menomonee River At Wauwatosa come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 04087120. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Menomonee River At Wauwatosa rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Menomonee River At Wauwatosa report
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