See all 4 routes on Bark River
Wisconsin | Lake Country
Bark RiverMerton Dam / Firemen's Park to Bark River Park
Clear upper Bark River run from the Merton Millpond dam area to Hartland's Bark River Park, with boulder gardens, springs, tight wooded bends, and enough wood risk that low-water and same-day obstruction checks matter.
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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 below the Merton Millpond dam area and paddle the clear upper Bark to Hartland's Bark River Park. The route has springs, boulder gardens, and attractive wooded sections, but wood and shallow rocks make the Delafield gauge and a same-day visual check important.
Access map
Put-in
Merton Millpond / Firemen's Park downstream launchLaunch below the dam structure at Merton; do not stage or idle near dam hydraulics.
Take-out
Bark River Park / Church StreetBark River Park is the planned take-out for this card. Continuing downstream enters the separate Hartland-to-Delafield route with additional rapids, bridge clearance, and lake exposure.
Road shuttle
Use a short Lake Country vehicle shuttle between the Merton Millpond / Firemen's Park dam area and Bark River Park in Hartland. Stage the Bark River Park take-out first because it is the practical endpoint before the Hartland segment.
Additional access notes
- Private banks line portions of the reach. Plan all stops at public parks or clear emergency exits only.
More route and safety guidance
- Expect fresh deadfall, shallow boulder gardens, and fast narrow current after rain. Portage wood early rather than forcing blind bends.
- Bark River Park is the planned exit for this card. Continuing downstream enters the Hartland segment with additional rapids, low bridges, and Lake Nagawicka exposure.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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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 |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 31 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 Merton route levels and adjacent Hartland 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 reportMerton Dam to Bark River Park, 4.9 miles
Wisconsin River Trips documents the Merton-to-Hartland route, dam-area access, springs, boulder gardens, wood, and current route character.
- Gauge check recorded during route review31 and 42 cfs observed; adjacent ladder 21/36/61/81 cfs
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.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 05426067
USGS operates the Bark River at Nagawicka Road at Delafield monitoring location downstream of the route on the same river.
- 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.
- Public accessMerton Millpond to Hartland's Bark River Park
Village of Merton lists the Merton Millpond public boat launch, and Village of Hartland describes Bark River Park as a public riverfront park at the end of Church Street.
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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