La Crosse River Near La Crosse flow report
As of July 13, 2026, La Crosse River Near La Crosse is flowing at 489 cfs with a gage height of 3.29 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05383075, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
La Crosse River Near La Crosse at a glance
How La Crosse River Near La Crosse is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
La Crosse River Near La Crosse is flowing at 489 cfs, with the water sitting 3.29 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05383075 in Wisconsin. Over the past 10 days the average has been 822 cfs, peaking at 1,800 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, La Crosse River Near La Crosse is expected to hold near today's 481 cfs, toward roughly 440 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 277-697 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.
La Crosse River Near La Crosse
The river is a tributary of the Mississippi River and has several potential tributaries and dams that can affect its flow. During the summer, the river experiences lower flow rates due to decreased precipitation, while the winter months can see increased flow due to snowmelt and precipitation. The river also experiences occasional flooding events. A quirky fact about the La Crosse River is that it was once a popular location for pearl mussel harvesting, which had significant impacts on the river's ecosystem.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check La Crosse River Near La Crosse's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| La Crosse River Near La Crosse | 489 cfs |
| Black River Near Galesville | 985 cfs |
| Root River Near Houston | 2,190 cfs |
| South Fork Root River Near Houston | 298 cfs |
| La Crosse River At Sparta | 184 cfs |
| Mississippi River At Winona | 28,400 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near La Crosse River Near La Crosse. 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 |
|---|---|
| La Crosse | 0 in |
| Holmen 2s | 0 in |
| Galesville 2wsw | 0 in |
| Genoa Dam 8 | 0 in |
| Cashton 3nnw | 0 in |
| Caledonia | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of La Crosse River Near La Crosse.
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 La Crosse River Near La Crosse 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 Near La Crosse crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About La Crosse River Near La Crosse
Where does the streamflow data for La Crosse River Near La Crosse come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05383075. 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 Near La Crosse 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 Near La Crosse report
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