Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario flow report
Historical Data
Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario at a glance
How Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario is flowing at 149 cfs, with the water sitting 8.94 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05407470 in Wisconsin.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Wisconsin flow report.
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.
Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario
The river's flow is primarily sourced by precipitation and snowmelt. The river has several tributaries and dams, including the Wauzeka Dam and the West Fork Kickapoo River. Seasonal trends show that the river experiences high water levels in the spring due to snowmelt and heavy rainfall, while low water levels occur in the summer and fall. One interesting fact about the hydrology of the Kickapoo River is that it is known for its sharp meanders and numerous oxbow lakes, which are created as the river erodes the surrounding land.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario | 149 cfs |
| Kickapoo River At La Farge | 220 cfs |
| La Crosse River At Sparta | 180 cfs |
| Lemonweir River At New Lisbon | 392 cfs |
| La Crosse River Near La Crosse | 491 cfs |
| Yellow River At Necedah | 200 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cashton 3nnw | 0 in |
| Hillsboro 2sw | 0 in |
| Gays Mills | 0 in |
| La Crosse | 0 in |
| Genoa Dam 8 | 0 in |
| Holmen 2s | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario.
Boat launches
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River runs
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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 Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario
Where does the streamflow data for Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05407470. 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 Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario 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 Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario report
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