WISCONSIN RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
December 25, 2024
42.99, -91.15


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

Total streamflow across the Wisconsin River was last observed at 8,515 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 16,889 acre-ft of water today; about 51% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 16,604 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2019-04-19 when daily discharge volume was observed at 190,510 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Wisconsin River At Muscoda reporting a streamflow rate of 7,340 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Wisconsin River At Rothschild with a gauge stage of 13.4 ft. This river is monitored from 6 different streamgauging stations along the Wisconsin River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,582 ft, the Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk.

The Wisconsin River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, stretching over 430 miles from its source in northern Wisconsin to its confluence with the Mississippi River. The river has a rich history, once serving as a major transportation route for fur traders and loggers. Today, the river plays an important role in Wisconsin's economy, supporting hydroelectric power, agriculture, and recreation. The river is home to several large reservoirs, including Lake Wisconsin, Petenwell Lake, and Castle Rock Lake, which are used for power generation and flood control. The river is also a popular destination for fishing, boating, and camping. Agricultural uses of the river include irrigation for crops and livestock watering. The hydrology of the Wisconsin River is closely monitored to ensure sustainable use and protection of this valuable resource.

Last Updated 2024-12-25
Discharge Volume 16,889 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 8,515.0 cfs
-854.0 cfs (-9.12%)
Percent of Normal 51.28%
Maximum 190,510.0 cfs
2019-04-19
Seasonal Avg 16,604 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk
USGS 05391000
675 cfs 2.21 ft 0.9
Wisconsin River At Merrill
USGS 05395000
2010 cfs 4.86 ft 9.84
Wisconsin River At Rothschild
USGS 05398000
2190 cfs 13.4 ft -0.45
Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids
USGS 05400760
3640 cfs 3.02 ft -22.06
Wisconsin River Near Wisconsin Dells
USGS 05404000
5670 cfs 2.97 ft 54.08
Wisconsin River At Muscoda
USGS 05407000
7340 cfs 1.64 ft 22.54
History of the River

The Wisconsin River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. At approximately 430 miles (692 km) long, it is the state's longest river. The river's name, first recorded in 1673 by Jacques Marquette as "Meskousing", is rooted in the Algonquian languages used by the area's American Indian tribes, but its original meaning is obscure. French explorers who followed in the wake of Marquette later modified the name to "Ouisconsin", and so it appears on Guillaume de L'Isle's map (Paris, 1718). This was simplified to "Wisconsin" in the early 19th century before being applied to Wisconsin Territory and finally the state of Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin River originates in the forests of the North Woods Lake District of northern Wisconsin, in Lac Vieux Desert near the border of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It flows south across the glacial plain of central Wisconsin, passing through Wausau, Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids. In southern Wisconsin it encounters the terminal moraine formed during the last ice age, where it forms the Dells of the Wisconsin River. North of Madison at Portage, the river turns to the west, flowing through Wisconsin's hilly Western Upland and joining the Mississippi approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Prairie du Chien.
The highest waterfall on the river is Grandfather Falls in Lincoln County.

       

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