See all 3 routes on Big Rib River
Wisconsin | Wausau Area
Big Rib River
Lemke Drive to Highway 64
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
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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 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.
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
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.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Lemke 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.
- Highway 64 requires dragging the boat about 150 feet over a grassy embankment to the vehicle.
- This route ends at Highway 64; the downstream Highway-64-to-Greiner Rib Dells card is a separate whitewater route.
Watch for
- Low trees, blocked island channels, light rapids, and possible Class II current.
- Logjams or snags that become harder to avoid in the high bands.
- Cold water, private banks, low-water bumping, and fast rises after rain.
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 | 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 |
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 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.
- 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 target band 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 101 cfs to 325 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 Lemke Drive Big Rib ford/access and ends at Highway 64 Big Rib access, about 5.0 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.
Flag a change
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.