See all 4 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 snapshot
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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 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.
Put-in
Amco Park Big Rib River accessOpen mapAmco 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 accessOpen mapHighway A is a bridge-area take-out with a faded path and limited shoulder or snowmobile-drive parking. Confirm the pull-off before launching.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
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.
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 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 |
| Data confidence 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
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 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.