See all 4 routes on Black River
Wisconsin | West Central Wisconsin
Black RiverDavid Hansen Memorial Landing / Irving to Melrose Landing
Float 11.8 miles from Irving to Melrose on the lower Black. Plan about five hours; shallow island channels may require walking at low water. Expect quiet water, riffles, sandy beaches in medium and lower flows, and tall bluffs. Wisconsin Trail Guide's 200–3,000 cfs Black River Falls range is community guidance, not an official safety band; that gauge is upstream of Irving, so check current flow and use the named public landings rather than private campground access.
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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 David Hansen Memorial Landing in Irving and finish at Melrose Landing for 11.8 miles of mostly quiet water and riffles. Wisconsin Trail Guide estimates about five hours; expect sandy beaches at medium and lower flows and tall bluffs. At low water, forks around the large islands may require walking. Treat the guide's 200–3,000 cfs Black River Falls range as community guidance from an upstream gauge, not a safety guarantee; use named public landings and keep private campground access out of the plan unless it is explicitly allowed.
Access map
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.
Road shuttle
Stage Melrose Landing first, then return to the David Hansen Memorial Landing at Irving. Leave daylight for the island channels and the rural shuttle.
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David Hansen Memorial Landing / Irving to Melrose Landing is about 11.8 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- Do not continue below Melrose unless the separate Melrose-to-North Bend route and shuttle are intentional.
More route and safety guidance
- Lost Falls Campground and other private landings are not default public stops; use the named public endpoints unless you have permission.
- Do not continue below Melrose unless the group has separately planned the existing Melrose-to-North Bend route and has enough daylight.
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Conditions
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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 DS ST Hwy 54 at Black River 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
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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 DS ST Hwy 54 at Black River Falls, WI |
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| Preferred range | 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 |
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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 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.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23236 cfs / 35.69 ft at 2026-07-23 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
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