Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids is flowing at 2,950 cfs with a gage height of 3.04 ft, rising 14% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05400760, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids at a glance
How Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids is flowing at 2,950 cfs, with the water sitting 3.04 ft at the gage. Flow is up 14% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #05400760 in Wisconsin. Over the past 10 days the average has been 3,270 cfs, peaking at 3,710 cfs.
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
Over the next 5 days, Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids is expected to hold near today's 2950 cfs, toward roughly 2673 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 1537-4648 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.
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.
Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids
The river receives water from several tributaries, including the Yellow, Big Rib, and Little Eau Pleine Rivers. The river is also impacted by several dams, including the Petenwell and Castle Rock Dams, which are used for hydropower and recreation. Seasonal trends show that the river experiences higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation, while summer and fall flows are typically lower. Interestingly, the Wisconsin River was once used for log drives, where logs were floated downriver to mills, and it is also a popular spot for whitewater rafting and fishing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids | 2,950 cfs |
| Tenmile Creek Near Nekoosa | 77 cfs |
| Yellow River At Babcock | 32 cfs |
| Tomorrow River Near Nelsonville | 27 cfs |
| Yellow River At Necedah | 200 cfs |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 19 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids. 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 |
|---|---|
| Hancock Exp Farm | 8 in |
| Eau Pleine Tender | 8 in |
| Amherst-3 Se | 0 in |
| Friendship | 0 in |
| Wausau Municipal Airport | 0 in |
| Big Falls-5 Nw | 2 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids.
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 Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids
Where does the streamflow data for Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05400760. 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 Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app