Wisconsin | Southwest Wisconsin
Badger Mill CreekOld County Road PB to Highway 69
Small Verona-area creek route from the Military Ridge Park and Ride area to Highway 69 on the Sugar River, with riffles, cattle gates, a tunnel, deadfall, and direct Badger Mill gauge support.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch near Old County Road PB and follow Badger Mill Creek to the Sugar River and Highway 69. The route has clear water and riffles, but it is defined by deadfall, low cattle gates, a long tunnel, and very narrow level tolerance.
Access map
Put-in
Old County Road PB / Military Ridge Park and Ride accessLaunch downstream from the PB bridge and park at the Military Ridge Park and Ride rather than assuming garden or farm access is open.
Take-out
Highway 69 take-out on the Sugar RiverThe Highway 69 take-out is on the Sugar River after the confluence; scout parking and bank footing before launching.
Road shuttle
Use the Military Ridge Park and Ride for the put-in logistics and stage a vehicle at the Highway 69 take-out on the Sugar River. Bike shuttles can use Verona-area roads and the Military Ridge Trail as described by Miles Paddled.
Additional access notes
- The Verona gauge is direct. If stage is near or above 5 ft, low gates and tunnel clearance can make the run unsafe.
More route and safety guidance
- Do not paddle above the published high warning. Rising water can quickly remove clearance under gates and make strainers more consequential.
- Respect farm/private banks, expect limited clean exits, and be prepared to portage or turn around if gates, cows, or new wood block the creek.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Badger Mill Creek at Verona, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Badger Mill Creek at Verona, WI |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 4.75 ft to 4.95 ft |
| Low threshold | 4.74 ft |
| High threshold | 5.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Miles Paddled Badger Mill Creek route-specific level guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Exact route reportOld County Road PB to Highway 69, 5.75 miles
Miles Paddled documents the route, access points, distance, skill level, riffles, cattle gates, tunnel, deadfall, and shuttle context.
- Route-specific gauge guidance4.75 ft / 20 cfs minimum; avoid above 5 ft
Miles Paddled ties the route to the Badger Mill Creek at Verona gauge and gives both a minimum and an upper stage warning.
- Endpoint coordinates42.99188, -89.51428 to 42.94921, -89.54436
Miles Paddled publishes GPS coordinates for the Old County PB put-in and Highway 69 take-out.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 05435943 Badger Mill Creek at Verona
USGS lists the direct Badger Mill Creek gauge at Verona with discharge, stage, and long-term period-of-record metadata.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-164.47 ft and 4.95 cfs at 2026-07-16 16:00 CDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
Nearby routes within 75 miles
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