See all 3 routes on Big Rib River
Wisconsin | Wausau Area
Big Rib RiverLemke Drive to Highway 64
Far upper Big Rib River day from the Lemke Drive ford/access to Highway 64, with light riffles, gravel bars, low trees, occasional Class I-II current, and a direct Rib Falls gauge ladder.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Lemke Drive and take out at Highway 64 for the upper Big Rib segment immediately above the existing Rib Dells card. The direct Rib Falls gauge is currently below the practical target band.
Access map
Put-in
Lemke Drive Big Rib ford/accessLemke Drive is a ford/road-style access, not a developed landing. WRT says the road itself makes a workable launch but nearby forests are posted no trespassing.
Take-out
Highway 64 Big Rib accessHighway 64 requires dragging the boat about 150 feet over a grassy embankment to the vehicle.
Road shuttle
Scout the Highway 64 take-out first, then stage at Lemke Drive. WRT describes the bike shuttle as short but mostly unpaved and hilly, so a car shuttle is cleaner.
Additional access notes
- This route ends at Highway 64; the downstream Highway-64-to-Greiner Rib Dells card is a separate whitewater route.
More route and safety guidance
- Low trees, blocked island channels, logjams, and light rapids can catch inattentive paddlers, especially at higher water.
- The Highway 64 take-out requires a grass embankment drag and should be scouted before launch.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Big Rib River at Rib Falls, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain 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 |
| Preferred range | 101 cfs to 325 cfs |
| Low threshold | 0 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 - Lemke depth guide |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route shapeLemke Drive to Highway 64, 5.0 mi
Wisconsin River Trips lists the exact put-in, take-out, distance, time, gradient, trip flow, access notes, and hazards.
- AccessLemke Drive ford to Highway 64
WRT says Lemke Drive works as a road/ford-style launch but warns not to wander into posted woods; Highway 64 is a doable take-out with a grass embankment drag.
- Gauge ladder101-325 cfs target; 501+ very high
WRT ties this route to Big Rib at Rib Falls and publishes bands from very low but navigable through very high and not recommended for casual paddlers.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-1747.9 cfs / 2.03 ft at 2026-07-17 07:00 CDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Big Rib River
All 3Nearby routes within 75 miles
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