Wisconsin | Central Wisconsin
Big Eau Pleine River
Cherokee Park to March Rapids Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Big Eau Pleine 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
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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
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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
Launch directly below the Cherokee Park dam for an intermediate Class I-II run through repeated boulder gardens. Scout March Rapids during the shuttle and choose the documented take-out above the rapids or the path below before launching.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Cherokee ParkCherokee Park is a Marathon County park with river access, vault restrooms, picnic facilities, and trails; use the east-end river access below the dam, do not launch above the impoundment, and do not attempt to run the dam.
Take-out
March Rapids ParkMarch Rapids Park has paths above and below the rapids, so scout during the shuttle and decide whether to take out above the rapids or finish by running them.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Cherokee Park is a Marathon County park with river access, vault restrooms, picnic facilities, and trails; use the east-end river access below the dam, do not launch above the impoundment, and do not attempt to run the dam.
- March Rapids Park has paths above and below the rapids, so scout during the shuttle and decide whether to take out above the rapids or finish by running them.
- Hazelnut Road is a possible bailout but is only a gravel-road bridge access with poison ivy and limited comfort; the cleaner planned take-out is March Rapids Park.
Watch for
- Bumpy rapids, shallow boulder slots, and walking risk below about 150 cfs on the Stratford gauge.
- Class II or Class II+ rapids two miles above March Rapids; scout current conditions rather than relying on the left-side line reported at one historical level.
- March Rapids at the take-out, which is scenic and scoutable but still deserves attention before tired paddlers commit.
- Fast current under low branches, strainers, and rapidly changing levels after rain on this flashy rocky watershed.
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 | Big Eau Pleine River at Stratford, 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 | 151 cfs to 250 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 301 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Big Eau Pleine River gauge guidance |
| 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.
- Public put-inCherokee Park
Marathon County lists Cherokee Park at 108042 County Road N in Colby as a 69-acre county park with fishing access, vault restrooms, trails, and the Big Eau Pleine River running through the park.
- Public take-outMarch Rapids Park
Wisconsin River Trips describes March Rapids Park as a public park take-out with pull-off space, outhouses, and fishing paths above and below March Rapids.
- Endpoint coordinatesCherokee 44.9046882, -90.2226348; March Rapids 44.8507988, -90.1498549
AnyplaceAmerica publishes USGS/topographic-place coordinates for Cherokee Park and March Rapids County Park; Marathon County corroborates Cherokee Park as the public access park.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 05399500
USGS operates the Big Eau Pleine River at Stratford gauge downstream on the same river, and Wisconsin River Trips uses this gauge for the Cherokee, Hazelnut, and March Rapids route family.
- Current gauge check5.35 cfs and 2.18 ft at 2026-07-27 20:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned provisional current values far below the selected 100 cfs too-low floor during this review.
- Gauge ladder151-250 cfs best normal window
Wisconsin River Trips gives route-family guidance: under 100 cfs likely too shallow, 101-150 cfs runnable with bumps, 151-200 cfs good, 201-250 cfs also good, 251-300 cfs high but manageable for experienced paddlers, and 301+ cfs whitewater/high-water territory.
- Route characterAbout 9.2 miles with many rapids
Wisconsin River Trips rates Cherokee-to-Hazelnut as a fantastic 3.1-mile leg with clear water and boulder gardens, then Hazelnut-to-March Rapids as a 6.1-mile wooded leg with multiple boulder gardens and significant Class II rapids.
- High-water caution301+ cfs changes the audience
Wisconsin River Trips says 301-400 cfs is high for recreational paddlers but good for whitewater paddlers, 401-500 cfs is likely only for whitewater paddlers, and 501+ cfs is very high and only for very experienced whitewater paddlers.
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
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Quick answers
Big Eau Pleine River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Big Eau Pleine River?
Paddle Today watches Big Eau Pleine River at Stratford, WI and treats 151 cfs to 250 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Big Eau Pleine River route start and end?
This route starts at Cherokee Park and ends at March Rapids Park, about 9.2 mi on the water.
Is this Big Eau Pleine 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.