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 snapshot
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
Today
Get the answer fast, then scan the route.
Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
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
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Launch below the Cherokee Park dam and paddle the Big Eau Pleine through the Cherokee-to-Hazelnut boulder gardens and the wooded Hazelnut-to-March Rapids reach. Take out at March Rapids Park after scouting or running the park rapids.
Put-in
Cherokee ParkOpen mapCherokee Park is a Marathon County park with river access, vault restrooms, picnic facilities, and trails; use the river access below the dam rather than launching above the impoundment.
Take-out
March Rapids ParkOpen mapMarch 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.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
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 river access below the dam rather than launching above the impoundment.
- 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, with the best line reported along the left; scout before running.
- 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.
No approved route photos yet
Start the gallery with shots of the access, river character, or any detail that helps paddlers know what this run actually looks like.
Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
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 |
| Data confidence 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.
- 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
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.
Share your trip
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
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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.