Black River At Neillsville flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Black River At Neillsville is flowing at 311 cfs with a gage height of 3.75 ft, receding 15% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05381000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Black River At Neillsville at a glance
How Black River At Neillsville is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Black River At Neillsville is flowing at 311 cfs, with the water sitting 3.75 ft at the gage. Flow is down 15% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05381000 in Wisconsin. Over the past 10 days the average has been 206 cfs, peaking at 367 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Black River At Neillsville is expected to recede from today's 311 cfs, toward roughly 249 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 67-921 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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.
Black River At Neillsville
The river has several tributaries, including O'Neill Creek and Hemlock Creek, and there are several dams along its length. The river experiences seasonal fluctuations in flow, with higher flows typically occurring in the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall. Interestingly, the Black River is known for its unique color, which comes from tannins leached from decaying vegetation. In summary, the Black River at Neillsville, WI is a diverse and dynamic waterway, influenced by various factors such as tributaries, dams, and seasonal trends, and is characterized by its distinct coloring.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Black River At Neillsville's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Black River At Neillsville | 311 cfs |
| Black River Ds St Hwy 54 @ Black River Falls | 814 cfs |
| Yellow River At Babcock | 50 cfs |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 41 cfs |
| Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids | 3,060 cfs |
| La Crosse River At Sparta | 191 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Black River At Neillsville. 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 |
|---|---|
| Owen 1e | 0 in |
| Augusta Ranger Station | 0 in |
| Medford 0.8 Ene | 0 in |
| Eau Pleine Tender | 8 in |
| Eau Claire 3sw | 0 in |
| Chippewa Valley Regional Airport | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Black River At Neillsville.
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 Black River At Neillsville in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Black River At Neillsville crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Black River At Neillsville
Where does the streamflow data for Black River At Neillsville come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05381000. 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 Black River At Neillsville 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 Black River At Neillsville report
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