See all 3 routes on Big Rib River
Wisconsin | Wausau Area
Big Rib River
County Highway A to Rib Falls County Park
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 at County Highway A and take out at Rib Falls County Park above Big Rib Falls. This is a scenic riffle-and-outcrop connector, not a falls-running recommendation.
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
County Highway A Big Rib bridge accessMiles Paddled gives GPS points for both endpoints and describes the Highway A launch as a small trail from the road.
Take-out
Rib Falls County Park take-out above Big Rib FallsThe take-out above the falls may be steep or awkward; identify the gradual option and do not drift toward the brink tired or distracted.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Miles Paddled gives GPS points for both endpoints and describes the Highway A launch as a small trail from the road.
- The take-out above the falls may be steep or awkward; identify the gradual option and do not drift toward the brink tired or distracted.
- Rib Falls County Park is a Marathon County park with trails, picnic amenities, and vault restrooms, but fishing is prohibited and posted rules should be checked.
Watch for
- Mandatory take-out above Class IV Big Rib Falls.
- Island braids, shallow riffles, boulders, and occasional downed trees.
- Fast rises after rain, cold water, limited public exits, and private banks.
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 | 298 cfs to 300 cfs |
| Low threshold | 298 cfs |
| High threshold | 501 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Miles Paddled Big Rib River II level note plus WRT Rib Falls 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 shapeCounty Road A to Rib Falls, 7.25 mi
Miles Paddled documents the exact put-in and take-out GPS points, total mileage, paddle time, and route character.
- Route corroborationCounty A to Big Rib Falls County Park, 7.7 mi
WRT calls this one of the best Big Rib legs, with attractive hemlocks, light rapids, boulders, granite outcrops, and Big Rib Falls at the end.
- Threshold support298 cfs minimum; 201-300 cfs WRT target
Miles Paddled says 298 cfs was very good but near the practical minimum; WRT gives 201-300 cfs as a good target and 501+ cfs as very high.
- Mandatory take-outTake out above Big Rib Falls
WRT considers Big Rib Falls Class IV and only for skilled whitewater paddlers; this card ends above the falls at the county park.
- 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.
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 298 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 County Highway A Big Rib bridge access and ends at Rib Falls County Park take-out above Big Rib Falls, about 7.25 mi on the water.
Is this Big Rib 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.