See all 3 routes on Big Rib River
Wisconsin | Wausau Area
Big Rib River
Amco Park to County Highway A
Check current paddling conditions for this Big Rib 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
Checking weather.
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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
Launch from Marathon County Amco Park and take out at County Highway A for an easier Big Rib segment below the Rib Dells. The direct Rib Falls gauge is currently below the selected low-water floor.
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
Amco Park Big Rib River accessAmco Park is a public Marathon County park with Big Rib River access, fishing access, picnic facilities, potable water, and vault toilets.
Take-out
County Highway A Big Rib bridge accessHighway A is a bridge-area take-out with a faded path and limited shoulder or snowmobile-drive parking. Confirm the pull-off before launching.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Amco Park is a public Marathon County park with Big Rib River access, fishing access, picnic facilities, potable water, and vault toilets.
- Highway A is a bridge-area take-out with a faded path and limited shoulder or snowmobile-drive parking. Confirm the pull-off before launching.
- Do not turn this into an unplanned continuation toward Rib Falls; the downstream route requires a mandatory take-out above the falls.
Watch for
- Low branches and strainers in brisk Class I current.
- Bumpy riffles below the selected low-water floor.
- High or rising water that makes bridge access, snags, and private-bank exposure harder to manage.
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 Rib River at Rib Falls, 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 | 201 cfs to 300 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 501 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 Rib - Amco Park depth guide |
| 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.
- Route shapeAmco Park to Highway A, 4.3 mi
Wisconsin River Trips lists the exact route, distance, gradient, shuttle, access notes, current, and hazards.
- Public put-inAmco Park access to Big Rib River
Marathon County lists Amco Park as a 39-acre public park with Big Rib River access, fishing access, picnic facilities, potable water, and vault restrooms.
- Gauge ladder201-300 cfs target; 501+ not casual
WRT ties the Amco route to the Big Rib at Rib Falls gauge and publishes route-specific bands from very low through very high.
- Current gauge check47.9 cfs / 2.03 ft at 2026-07-17 07:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned same-day Big Rib at Rib Falls values below the selected low-water floor during this run.
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
Big Rib River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Big Rib River?
Paddle Today watches Big Rib River at Rib Falls, WI and treats 201 cfs to 300 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Big Rib River route start and end?
This route starts at Amco Park Big Rib River access and ends at County Highway A Big Rib bridge access, about 4.3 mi on the water.
Is this Big Rib River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.