See all 4 routes on Bark River
Wisconsin | Lake Country
Bark RiverHighway 164 to Merton Millpond
Short upper Bark run where low water and grass-choked channels ruin the day quickly. This is mainly a low-water-floor decision rather than a broad sweet-spot river.
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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
Put in at the Highway 164 culvert crossing north of Lisbon and take out at the Merton Millpond launch. This is a low-water-floor decision first and a route-quality decision second.
Access map
Put-in
Highway 164 culvert crossingHighway 164 is a limited roadside access. Verify a safe, legal pull-off before committing to the shuttle.
Take-out
Merton Millpond boat launchThe culvert put-in is functional rather than polished. Expect a less forgiving launch than the millpond take-out.
Road shuttle
Short car shuttle is simplest. Bike shuttle is possible if you are comfortable with local roads.
More route and safety guidance
- The Highway 164 culvert is an awkward roadside put-in. Confirm a safe, legal pull-off before launching, and use the named Merton Millpond launch for take-out.
- Tight bends, grass-choked channels, overgrown banks, and downed trees can obstruct passage; scout and portage rather than forcing a blind channel.
- Spring conditions can bring cold water and quick rain response on this short upper reach.
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
Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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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 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.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- Checking evidence cautions.
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 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 | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 55 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MilesPaddled Bark River IV minimum-flow note |
| 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.
- Published minimum55 cfs
MilesPaddled treats anything below roughly 55 cfs at Delafield as too shallow for most boats.
- Access frictionHighway 164 is limited
The put-in is functional but awkward. Safe, legal roadside access is part of the go/no-go decision.
- HazardsGrass, wood, and tight bends
Expect downed trees and overgrown banks even on workable-flow days.
- Decision styleMinimum-only
Today this score mainly answers whether the river is clearly above its low-water floor.
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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