Rib River At Rib Falls Flow Report
As of September 9, 2026, Rib River At Rib Falls is flowing at 77 cfs with a gage height of 2.21 ft, rising 72% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05396000, refreshed throughout the day.
Rib River At Rib Falls at a glance
Live reading, 10-day trend, and the key gauge stats — how Rib River At Rib Falls is running right now.
Rib River At Rib Falls is flowing at 77 cfs, with the water sitting 2.21 ft at the gage. Flow is up 72% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #05396000 in Wisconsin. Over the past 10 days the average has been 54 cfs, peaking at 77 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Wisconsin flow report, or open Rib River At Rib Falls on the interactive map.
Streamgage details
Historical Data
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Rib River At Rib Falls is expected to recede from today's 44 cfs, toward roughly 40 cfs by 2026-09-13 (likely range 11-139 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
Forecast vs seasonal normal
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #05396000).
Flow-duration & observed peak context
Estimate flows at an ungauged site
Drainage-area ratio transfer from this gauge . Most reliable for hydrologically similar sites in the same watershed with area ratios between roughly 0.5 and 1.5.
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
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.
Rib River At Rib Falls
The river is not influenced by any major tributaries or dams in the immediate vicinity. Seasonally, the river experiences high flow during spring snowmelt and precipitation, while low flow occurs in late summer and fall. Interesting fact: Rib Falls is named after a waterfall on the river that has eroded away over time, leaving behind a series of rapids instead.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Rib River At Rib Falls's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 77 cfs |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 20 cfs |
| Wisconsin River At Rothschild | 1,310 cfs |
| Eau Claire River At Kelly | 95 cfs |
| Wisconsin River At Merrill | 1,050 cfs |
| Prairie River Near Merrill | 92 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Rib River At Rib Falls. 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 |
|---|---|
| Wausau Municipal Airport | 0 in |
| Merrill-4 W | 0 in |
| Eau Pleine Tender | 8 in |
| Medford 0.8 Ene | 0 in |
| Owen 1e | 0 in |
| Antigo | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Rib River At Rib Falls.
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 Rib River At Rib Falls in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Rib River At Rib Falls crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Rib River At Rib Falls
What is the Rib River At Rib Falls flow rate right now?
As of September 9, 2026, Rib River At Rib Falls is flowing at 77 cfs. The live value, gage height, and 24-hour trend are shown at the top of this page.
Is the Rib River At Rib Falls running high or low right now?
Check the percent of median figure on this page: above 100% means Rib River At Rib Falls is running higher than normal for the date, below 100% means lower. The 24-hour trend shows whether it's rising or falling.
Where does the streamflow data for Rib River At Rib Falls come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05396000. 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 Rib River At Rib Falls 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.
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Get the free Rib River At Rib Falls report — flow alerts, favorites, and history & forecasts, plus the free iPhone app.