See all 9 routes on Black River
Wisconsin | West Central Wisconsin
Black River
David Hansen Memorial Landing / Irving to Melrose Landing
Check current paddling conditions for this Black 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 Irving and finish at Melrose for the popular lower-Black sandbar and bluff segment. It is mostly quietwater with riffles, but the distance, island channels, and private-bank limits require a real shuttle plan.
Plan a shorter segmentOptional
Access planner
Pick a shorter segment
This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
Peltier Lake to Long Lake is the full route. Shorter access pairs are useful when wind, time, or group energy changes the plan.
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
David Hansen Memorial Landing / IrvingUse the named Irving and Melrose landings; Lost Falls Campground and other private landings are not default public stops.
Take-out
Melrose LandingLow water can force wading or boat dragging around islands, while high water covers sandbars and increases strainer consequences.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Use the named Irving and Melrose landings; Lost Falls Campground and other private landings are not default public stops.
- Low water can force wading or boat dragging around islands, while high water covers sandbars and increases strainer consequences.
- Do not continue below Melrose unless the separate Melrose-to-North Bend route and shuttle are intentional.
Watch for
- Shallow island channels, sandbars, strainers, and changing current after rain.
- Cold water and long-route fatigue before the Melrose finish.
- Private banks, campground traffic, and limited legal emergency exits.
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 | Black River DS ST Hwy 54 at Black River 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 | 200 cfs to 3,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 200 cfs |
| High threshold | 3,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin Trail Guide Black River BK3 suggested levels |
| 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 guideBK3, 11.8 mi, Irving to Melrose
Wisconsin Trail Guide documents BK3 with 11.8 miles, riffles, easy skill level, route map, guide, and GPX waypoint support.
- Suggested gauge limits200-3,000 cfs
Wisconsin Trail Guide ties BK3 to the Black River Falls gauge and lists a 200 cfs suggested minimum and 3,000 cfs suggested maximum.
- Endpoint coordinatesIrving 44.187610, -90.898920; Melrose 44.108790, -90.996270
Wisconsin Trail Guide BLACK3 GPX names David Hansen Memorial Landing at Irving and the DNR Landing at Melrose as canoe/kayak landing waypoints.
- Current gauge check236 cfs / 35.69 ft at 2026-07-23 07:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned same-day current Black River Falls data 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.
More in Wisconsin
All 159 routesMore on Black River
All 9Nearby routes by distance
Quick answers
Black River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Black River?
Paddle Today watches Black River DS ST Hwy 54 at Black River Falls, WI and treats 200 cfs to 3,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Black River route start and end?
This route starts at David Hansen Memorial Landing / Irving and ends at Melrose Landing, about About 11.8 mi on the water.
Is this Black 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.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.