Total streamflow across the
Wisconsin River
was last observed at
6,292
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
12,480
acre-ft of water today; about 75%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
8,419 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 10,000 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Wisconsin River At Rothschild
with a gauge stage of 13.31 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 | 2025-02-22 |
Discharge Volume | 12,480 ACRE-FT |
Streamflow |
6,292.0 cfs
-346.0 cfs (-5.21%) |
Percent of Normal | 74.73% |
Maximum |
190,510.0 cfs
2019-04-19 |
Seasonal Avg | 8,419 cfs |
Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk
USGS 05391000 |
496 cfs | 1.65 ft | -1.18 | |||||
Wisconsin River At Merrill
USGS 05395000 |
1460 cfs | 4.41 ft | 4.07 | |||||
Wisconsin River At Rothschild
USGS 05398000 |
2100 cfs | 13.31 ft | 4.79 | |||||
Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids
USGS 05400760 |
2320 cfs | 2.8 ft | -19.76 | |||||
Wisconsin River Near Wisconsin Dells
USGS 05404000 |
8080 cfs | 2.92 ft | 5.35 | |||||
Wisconsin River At Muscoda
USGS 05407000 |
10000 cfs | 2.98 ft | -10.71 |
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.