See all 4 routes on Bark River
Wisconsin | Lake Country
Bark RiverBark River Park to Delafield Post Office / Mill Street launch
Hartland-to-Delafield Bark River day with downtown riffles, one stronger rapid, tree-portage risk, a lake-paddling finish across Nagawicka, and a route-specific Delafield gauge ladder.
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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
Paddle from Bark River Park through Hartland, the Highway 83 corridor, and Lake Nagawicka to the Mill Street launch by the Delafield Post Office. This route has the best Bark River gauge ladder in the app, but it also has rapids, wood, bridge clearance, and lake wind exposure.
Access map
Put-in
Bark River Park / Church StreetIdentify the Delafield Mill Street launch before paddling across Lake Nagawicka; wind, motorboats, and shoreline development can make the final approach feel different from the creek miles.
Take-out
Delafield Post Office / Mill Street kayak launchLow bridges may require ducking or easy portages depending on water level and boat height.
Road shuttle
Stage a vehicle at the Mill Street / Delafield Post Office launch, then put in at Bark River Park. A bike shuttle is possible in the Hartland-Delafield corridor, but vehicle staging avoids downtown and lake-traffic timing.
Additional access notes
- Much of the route has private shoreline, especially below Hartland and along the lake. Do not count on casual bankside exits.
More route and safety guidance
- Do not assume the route is clear after storms. Fresh wood and low branches can block the narrow channel, especially around Cottonwood Avenue and Highway 83.
- The final approach crosses Lake Nagawicka. Wind, cold water, and motorboat traffic can be a bigger risk than the creek gradient.
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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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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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
Bark River at Nagawicka Road at Delafield, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
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 | Bark River at Nagawicka Road at Delafield, WI |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 36 cfs to 60 cfs |
| Low threshold | 21 cfs |
| High threshold | 81 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Hartland route gauge ladder |
| 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 reportBark River Park to Delafield Post Office, 6.2 miles
Wisconsin River Trips documents the route, mileage, put-in/take-out, Hartland rapids, low bridges, wood, Highway 83 section, and Lake Nagawicka finish.
- Published gauge ladder21 / 36-60 / 61-80 / 81+ cfs
WRT ties the route to the Bark River at Delafield gauge and gives low-but-viable, good, high-but-likely-viable, and too-pushy/dirty bands.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 05426067
USGS operates the Bark River at Nagawicka Road at Delafield monitoring location on the selected route corridor.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-1622.3 cfs and 12.50 ft at 2026-07-16 19:00 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.
- Access supportHartland Bark River Park and Delafield Mill Street launch
Village of Hartland describes Bark River Park as a public riverfront park; WRT identifies the Delafield Post Office / Mill Street canoe-kayak launch as the route take-out.
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
More on Bark River
All 4Nearby routes within 75 miles
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