See all 3 routes on East Branch Pecatonica River
Wisconsin | Southwest Wisconsin
East Branch Pecatonica RiverRiver Road Landing to Argyle Boat Launch
Popular lower East Branch Pecatonica float from Thunder Bridge / River Road to the Argyle boat launch, with public landing support, a direct Blanchardville gauge, and a firm take-out before the village dam corridor.
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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 River Road / Thunder Bridge and paddle the popular lower East Branch split to the Argyle boat launch. It is generally gentle, but the final mile slows near the village dam influence, so the planned take-out matters.
Access map
Put-in
River Road / Thunder Bridge LandingRiver Road is a public/customary paddling landing but can be muddy. Walk the take-out/put-in zone before unloading.
Take-out
Argyle Highway 81 Boat LaunchThe Argyle finish is the required take-out for this route. Do not continue downstream into the village dam corridor unless you have a separate below-dam route plan.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at the Argyle boat launch before driving back to River Road / Thunder Bridge. Confirm you are using the upstream/above-dam landing for this route and not setting up an accidental dam approach.
Additional access notes
- Stay off golf-course, pasture, and residential banks except in an emergency.
More route and safety guidance
- Expect deadfall that usually can be paddled around, but scout blind bends and portage from legal public access if a line is not clear.
- The route passes farms, golf-course frontage, and private banks. Use River Road, Argyle, or other clearly public landings only.
Plan this paddle
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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.
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View at the gauge
East Branch Pecatonica River near Blanchardville, 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
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 | East Branch Pecatonica River near Blanchardville, WI |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 90 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 | Miles Paddled East Branch Pecatonica Highway 78 to Argyle gauge note |
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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 splitRiver Road to Argyle, 6.8 to 7.4 mi
Miles Paddled describes River Road-to-Argyle as about 6.8 miles, while Wisconsin River Trips lists River Road-to-Argyle Boat Launch as 7.4 miles.
- Public access supportRiver Road / Thunder Bridge and Argyle
The Village of Argyle names Thunder Bridge / River Road, the Village of Argyle, and Blackhawk Memorial Park as Pecatonica put-in or take-out options.
- Threshold evidence90 cfs workable on the lower Highway 78-to-Argyle family
Miles Paddled recorded 90 cfs / 4.00 ft at Blanchardville for the Highway 78-to-Argyle route and says the Blanchardville gauge is effectively direct for that lower route family.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23140 cfs / 4.62 ft at 2026-07-23 04:00 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
More on East Branch Pecatonica River
All 3Nearby routes within 75 miles
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