Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee Flow Report

Wisconsin, USA USGS #04087159 ↗

As of August 3, 2026, Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee is flowing at 54 cfs with a gage height of 6.85 ft, receding 90% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #04087159, refreshed throughout the day.

Stale data This gauge hasn’t reported in days (last reading unknown). The readings below may not reflect current conditions.
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Right now · latest observation
Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee
USGS gauge #04087159
54 cfs streamflow
Latest reading from this gauge.
Gage height
6.85ft
Water temp
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% of median
Since yesterday
↓ -90%
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Conditions summary

Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee at a glance

How Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.

Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee is flowing at 54 cfs, with the water sitting 6.85 ft at the gage. Flow is down 90% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.

This is USGS gauge #04087159 in Wisconsin. Over the past 10 days the average has been 67 cfs, peaking at 541 cfs.

For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Wisconsin flow report.

Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee on the map Open map →
Site IDUSGS 04087159
Last updated2026-08-02
Gage height, ft6.85 ft
Stream water level elevation above NAVD 1988, in ft595.41 ft
Streamflow, ft³/s54.1 ft3/s
Temperature, water, degC22.5 deg C
Turbidity, water, unfiltered, broad band light source (400-680 nm), detection angle 90 ±30° to incident light, nephelometric turbidity units (NTU)2.08 NTU
Colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), water, in situ, fluorometric method, relative fluorescence units (RFU)2340.0 RFU
Tryptophan relative fluorescence, water, in situ, relative fluorescence units (RFU)76.2 RFU
Max recorded4,680 cfs
Engineering & permitting

Engineering Data

Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #04087159).

P10 exceedanceexceeded 10% of days
P25 exceedanceexceeded 25% of days
P50 (median)exceeded half of days
P75 exceedanceexceeded 75% of days
P90 exceedanceexceeded 90% of days
Period of recorddaily observations

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.

Conditions report:

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.

Streamflow outlook

Streamflow Forecast

Over the next 5 days, Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11Th Street @ Milwaukee is expected to recede from today's 54 cfs, toward roughly 23 cfs by 2026-08-07 (likely range 8-70 cfs) -- about normal for the date.

Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.

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Daily forecast table
DateExpected (p50)Likely range (p25–p75)vs normalProjected stage
Work-window check: flow below cfs
Historical context

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.

Detailed forecast

Weather Forecast

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day forecast

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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About this location

Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee

11th Street in Milwaukee, WI streamgauge is an important waterway that provides water for various constituents, including wildlife, recreation, and industrial uses. The Kinnickinnic River is a tributary of the Milwaukee River and has several tributaries, including the Menomonee River, which flows into Lake Michigan. The hydrology of the Kinnickinnic River is affected by seasonal trends, with water levels typically higher in spring and lower in summer. Interestingly, the Kinnickinnic River has several dams, including the Chase Ave Dam, which is a popular spot for fishing and recreational activities. Overall, the Kinnickinnic River is an essential waterway in Milwaukee and a unique destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Regional streamflow

Nearby streamflow levels

Cross-check Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.

Regional snowpack

Nearby snowpack data

Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.

SNOTEL stationSnowpack
Brookfield 0 in
Big Bend 0 in
Germantown 0 in
Jackson 0 in
Sewage Disposal Plant 0 in
Water Pollution Control Plant 0 in
Nearby recreation

Plan a trip

Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee.

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 Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee in the Snoflo app

Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.

FAQ

About Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee

What is the Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee flow rate right now?

As of August 3, 2026, Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee is flowing at 54 cfs. The live value, gage height, and 24-hour trend are shown at the top of this page.

Is the Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee running high or low right now?

Check the percent of median figure on this page: above 100% means Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee 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 Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee come from?

Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 04087159. 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 Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee 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.