See all 4 routes on Bark River
Wisconsin | Lake Country
Bark River
Bark River Park to Delafield Post Office / Mill Street launch
Check current paddling conditions for this Bark River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
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.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
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.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Identify 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.
- Low bridges may require ducking or easy portages depending on water level and boat height.
- Much of the route has private shoreline, especially below Hartland and along the lake. Do not count on casual bankside exits.
Watch for
- Class I-II current and a stronger rapid in the Hartland section.
- Fresh tree blockages, low branches, and bridge-clearance issues after storms.
- Wind, cold water, and motorboat traffic on Lake Nagawicka before the Delafield take-out.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind 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 |
| Target band | 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 |
NotesWhat to know before you go
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.
- Current gauge check22.3 cfs and 12.50 ft at 2026-07-16 19:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned a low-but-viable shoulder value during this run, below the preferred 36 cfs floor.
- 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.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Bark River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Bark River?
Paddle Today watches Bark River at Nagawicka Road at Delafield, WI and treats 36 cfs to 60 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Bark River route start and end?
This route starts at Bark River Park / Church Street and ends at Delafield Post Office / Mill Street kayak launch, about About 6.2 mi on the water.
Is this Bark River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.