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Wisconsin | Lower Black River
Black RiverHighway 53/93 Landing to Highway 35 Landing
An 8-mile lower Black River run from the Highway 53/93 landing to the Highway 35 landing through the Van Loon island and sandbank corridor near Galesville.
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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
Use the named Highway 53/93 and Highway 35 landings for an 8-mile lower Black River run. Plan a daylight window, a real shuttle, footwear for the steep put-in, and a conservative turnaround if the channel split or lower-third wood becomes difficult.
Access map
Put-in
Highway 53/93 landingThe Highway 53/93 landing has a steep gravel descent and no bathrooms according to the route report; inspect the carry and landing before committing.
Take-out
Highway 35 landingThe Highway 35 landing is a practical public endpoint but river-edge conditions and parking rules can change. Follow current signs and do not block the highway access.
Road shuttle
Stage the Highway 35 finish first, then drive back to the Highway 53/93 landing. Confirm current parking, steep access, and river-edge conditions at both landings before launching.
Additional access notes
- The route forks around Van Loon Island and includes side channels and sandbars. Stay in the documented main channel and do not assume every branch is navigable at current flow.
- The 380 cfs minimum is community observation, not a safety certification. Rising water, flood warnings, wood, storms, or unclear take-out conditions override the score.
More route and safety guidance
- The source describes large sandbanks, side channels, and logjams near the lower third. Wear a properly fitted PFD, carry a whistle and communication device, and do not attempt to force a blocked channel.
- Use only the named public Highway 53/93 and Highway 35 landings. The banks are not a general public rest area; follow posted access and landowner rules.
- A rapidly rising gauge, flood warning, severe weather, fresh wood, or unclear landing conditions overrides the score.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Next 8 hours
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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
Black River near Galesville, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
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 | Black River near Galesville, WI |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 380 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Black River Hwy 53 to Hwy 35 report |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
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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-specific paddle reportHighway 53/93 landing to Highway 35 landing — 8 mi
Wisconsin River Trips documents the exact segment, endpoints, observed flow, channel split, low-water behavior, sandbanks, and logjams.
- Official access contextWisconsin DNR and DOT maintain Highway 53 access; DNR maintains lower Black River access
Wisconsin DNR identifies canoe/kayak use and maintained access at the Highway 53 bridge, Van Loon, North Bend, and Melrose.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 05382000 near Galesville
USGS station has a long record and telemetered discharge data near the Highway 53 reach.
- Flow guidance380 cfs conservative minimum-only reference
The route report describes 380 cfs as a little too shallow; use it as a conservative minimum-only screen, not a guarantee or high-water limit.
- Distinctness checkLower Highway 53-to-35 corridor is separate from existing Black River routes upstream of Melrose and North Bend
Existing app routes cover upstream Lower Black reaches; this downstream island and sandbank segment is a distinct access pair and gauge context.
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 Black River
All 4Nearby routes within 75 miles
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