Kinnickinnic River River Levels

Last Updated: December 28, 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 113 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 224 acre-ft of water today; about 66% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 170 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 113 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Kinnickinnic River, with a gauge stage of 8.15 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 2025-12-28
Discharge Volume 224 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 113.0 cfs
+1.0 cfs (+0.89%)
Percent of Normal 66.36%
Maximum 4,943.0 cfs
2019-09-13
Seasonal Avg 170 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
113 cfs 8.15 ft 0.89
Kinnickinnic River @ S. 11th Street @ Milwaukee
USGS 04087159
8 cfs 6.18 ft -26.46
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.