La Crosse River At Sparta flow report
As of July 14, 2026, La Crosse River At Sparta is flowing at 180 cfs with a gage height of 3.78 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05382325, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
La Crosse River At Sparta at a glance
How La Crosse River At Sparta is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
La Crosse River At Sparta is flowing at 180 cfs, with the water sitting 3.78 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05382325 in Wisconsin. Over the past 10 days the average has been 213 cfs, peaking at 278 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, La Crosse River At Sparta is expected to hold near today's 184 cfs, toward roughly 172 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 127-233 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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.
La Crosse River At Sparta
The primary constituents of the river are precipitation and runoff from surrounding agricultural and urban areas. There are several tributaries that feed into the river, including the Little La Crosse River and the Baraboo River. The river is regulated by a dam located upstream in the town of Bangor. The flow in the river typically peaks in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation, and is lowest in late summer and early fall. Interestingly, the river is a popular spot for trout fishing and other recreational activities.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check La Crosse River At Sparta's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| La Crosse River At Sparta | 180 cfs |
| Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario | 149 cfs |
| La Crosse River Near La Crosse | 491 cfs |
| Black River Ds St Hwy 54 @ Black River Falls | 645 cfs |
| Black River Near Galesville | 976 cfs |
| Kickapoo River At La Farge | 220 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near La Crosse River At Sparta. 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 |
| La Crosse | 0 in |
| Holmen 2s | 0 in |
| Hillsboro 2sw | 0 in |
| Galesville 2wsw | 0 in |
| Genoa Dam 8 | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of La Crosse River At Sparta.
Boat launches
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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 La Crosse River At Sparta in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when La Crosse River At Sparta crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About La Crosse River At Sparta
Where does the streamflow data for La Crosse River At Sparta come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05382325. 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 La Crosse River At Sparta 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 La Crosse River At Sparta report
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