Milwaukee River Flow Today
As of October 4, 2026 at 2:00 AM, the Milwaukee River is flowing at 987 cfs at Milwaukee, WI — 339% of normal for the date and down 11% in 24 hours. 2 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 950 to 987 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Milwaukee River map
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Milwaukee River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Milwaukee, the Milwaukee River is running 987 cfs — 339% of normal, down 11% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 442% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Milwaukee (-11%).
How the Milwaukee River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Cedarburg672 ft 950 cfs546%
- Milwaukee609 ft 987 cfs339%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Milwaukee River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (442%).
Milwaukee River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Milwaukee River Near Cedarburg WI
Oct 4, 2:00 AM · USGS 04086600 |
950 cfs | 546% | -3% | 7.25 ft | 672 ft |
|
Milwaukee River At Milwaukee WI
Oct 4, 2:00 AM · USGS 04087000 |
987 cfs | 339% | -11% | 1.65 ft | 609 ft |
|
Milwaukee River @ Jones Island Mouth-at Milwaukee WI
Last reported Apr 16 · USGS 04087170 |
2,650 cfs | · | · | 8.74 ft | 579 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Milwaukee River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Milwaukee River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Milwaukee River
The Milwaukee River is a 115-mile-long tributary of Lake Michigan that flows through Wisconsin. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the river was heavily polluted due to industrialization, but has since been cleaned up and is now popular for recreational activities such as kayaking and fishing. The river's hydrology is managed by several man-made reservoirs and dams, including the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers, which were dammed to create power for industrial use. These reservoirs also help control flooding in the area. The river is used for agricultural irrigation and is important for the region's economy. Today, the Milwaukee River is a symbol of the city's ongoing revitalization and commitment to environmental sustainability.
Fishing near the Milwaukee River
About the Milwaukee River
How is the Milwaukee River flowing right now?
As of October 4, 2026, the Milwaukee River is flowing at 987 cfs at Milwaukee, WI, about 339% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 950 to 987 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Milwaukee River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Milwaukee River is at 442% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.