See all 3 routes on East Branch Pecatonica River
Wisconsin | Southwest Wisconsin
East Branch Pecatonica River
River Road Landing to Argyle Boat Launch
Check current paddling conditions for this East Branch Pecatonica River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
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
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
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 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.
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
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.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- River Road is a public/customary paddling landing but can be muddy. Walk the take-out/put-in zone before unloading.
- The 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.
- Stay off golf-course, pasture, and residential banks except in an emergency.
Watch for
- Deadfall that is usually passable but can become a strainer or portage after storms.
- Low-water mud and riffles below about 90 cfs at Blanchardville.
- Dam-influenced slack water near Argyle, occasional small-motorboat use, private banks, and cold water outside summer.
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 | East Branch Pecatonica River near Blanchardville, 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 |
| Ideal range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 90 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| 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 |
| 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 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.
- Current gauge check140 cfs / 4.62 ft at 2026-07-23 04:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Blanchardville discharge and stage 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.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
East Branch Pecatonica River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling East Branch Pecatonica River?
Paddle Today watches East Branch Pecatonica River near Blanchardville, WI and uses 90 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this East Branch Pecatonica River route start and end?
This route starts at River Road / Thunder Bridge Landing and ends at Argyle Highway 81 Boat Launch, about About 7 mi on the water.
Is this East Branch Pecatonica 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.