Wisconsin | Northeast Wisconsin

Brule River

Forest Road 2150 Landing to Brule River Flowage / WEPCO #28

Check current paddling conditions for this Brule River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.

Route location

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Distance14.3 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 6 hr to 8 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
A highway bridge crosses the Brule River along the Wisconsin and Michigan border.
River contextBrule River bridge river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by The ed17

Need to know

Why this call
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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.

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Recent trend

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Hourly forecast

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Short-route forecast

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Quick facts and what's next

Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.

DifficultymoderateMainly flatwater and easy current, but the route is long, remote, and includes Class I-II La Chapelle Rapids plus several riffles near Highway 2 and McGovern Creek.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use signed/known public landings, follow Wisconsin boating and PFD rules, and respect posted WEPCO, forest-road, and private-bank restrictions.
CampingOptions nearbyWisconsin Trail Guide says there are no riverside canoe/kayak campsites on this segment. Plan it as a long day route and use separate area lodging or campgrounds if needed.
SeasonMay-OctWTG says this segment is usually navigable spring through fall but can be scrappy during low-rain periods. High water makes La Chapelle and take-out timing more consequential.

Upcoming outlook

These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.

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Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Access and shuttle

Run Brule B3 from Forest Road 2150 to the WEPCO #28 landing before Brule River Flowage. The route is mostly quiet forest current but includes Class I-II La Chapelle Rapids and WTG minimum-only gauge guidance.

Plan a shorter segmentOptional

Pick a shorter segment

This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.

On-water distance14.3 miLake to creek
On-water timeAbout 5 to 7 hrFull route option
ShuttleSelf-shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Peltier Lake to Long Lake is the full route. Shorter access pairs are useful when wind, time, or group energy changes the plan.

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Start

Put-in

Forest Road 2150 Landing
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Forest Road 2150 is a remote landing. Confirm road condition, parking, and water level before unloading.

Finish

Take-out

WEPCO Recreation Area #28 Landing
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Carney Dam Landing and Highway 2 Landing are useful intermediate exits, but this route expects the full 14.3-mile run to WEPCO #28.

Plan this segment

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • Forest Road 2150 is a remote landing. Confirm road condition, parking, and water level before unloading.
  • Carney Dam Landing and Highway 2 Landing are useful intermediate exits, but this route expects the full 14.3-mile run to WEPCO #28.
  • Take out before the river opens into Brule River Flowage unless you have a separate lake/flowage plan and weather margin.

Watch for

  • Class I-II La Chapelle Rapids, riffles near McGovern Creek, and wood in faster bends.
  • Cold water, remote rescue exposure, limited cell service, and long shuttle time.
  • Flowage wind, motorboat exposure, and missed-takeout consequences near the finish.

Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.

Read quality
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Today'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.

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Gauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteBrule River at US Highway 2 near Florence, WI
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
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Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
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GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Ideal rangeNeeds paddler reports
Known low-water floor220 cfs
High thresholdNot calibrated yet
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreWisconsin Trail Guide Brule River B3 minimum suggested flow
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Weather sourceChecking
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What 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-specific guide14.3 miles; 6+ hours

    Wisconsin Trail Guide documents Brule B3 from Forest Road 2150 to Brule River Flowage, with Class I-II whitewater, 123 feet of drop, and quiet lowland forest context.

    Source

  • Minimum suggested flow220 cfs / 3.5 ft

    WTG ties the B3 route to the US Highway 2 bridge gauge and lists 220 cfs / 3.5 ft as the suggested minimum.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinates45.99013, -88.45012 to 45.96359, -88.25001

    WTG GPX waypoints identify Forest Road 2150 Landing and WEPCO Recreation Area #28 Landing as the route endpoints.

    Source

  • Current gauge check205 cfs / 3.56 ft at 2026-07-22 13:30 local gauge time

    USGS Water Services returned current Highway 2 gauge data slightly below the selected cfs floor during this run.

    Source

Check the source links

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Paddler reports

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Brule River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Brule River?

Paddle Today watches Brule River at US Highway 2 near Florence, WI and uses 220 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.

Where does this Brule River route start and end?

This route starts at Forest Road 2150 Landing and ends at WEPCO Recreation Area #28 Landing, about 14.3 mi on the water.

Is this Brule 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.

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.