Red Flag Warning
2025-12-17T18:00:00-07:00

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 241, 242, 243, 245 and 246. * TIMING...Until 6 PM MST this evening. * WINDS...West 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 16 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.


Kinnickinnic River River Levels

Last Updated: December 17, 2025

The Kinnickinnic River, also known as the Kinni, is a 22-mile-long river that runs through western Wisconsin, starting in St.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Kinnickinnic River was last observed at 117 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 232 acre-ft of water today; about 105% of normal. Average streamflow for this time of year is 111 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2019-09-13 when daily discharge volume was observed at 4,943 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls reporting a streamflow rate of 117 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Kinnickinnic River, with a gauge stage of 8.2 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Kinnickinnic River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 703 ft, the Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-17
Discharge Volume 232 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 117.0 cfs
-1.0 cfs (-0.85%)
Percent of Normal 104.94%
Maximum 4,943.0 cfs
2019-09-13
Seasonal Avg 111 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls
USGS 05342000
117 cfs 8.2 ft -0.85
Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee
USGS 04087159
9 cfs 6.21 ft 48
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Kinnickinnic River is one of three primary rivers that flows into the harbor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at Lake Michigan, along with the Menomonee River and Milwaukee River. It is locally called the "KK River".Kinnickinnic is an Ojibwe word which literally means "what is mixed", referring to the mixing of indigenous plants and tobaccos. Often called Milwaukee's forgotten river, it is the smallest within the Milwaukee River Basin, yet is the most urbanized and densely populated, as it winds through the Lincoln Village neighborhood, and the heavily industrialized Inner Harbor.