See all 3 routes on Eau Claire River
Wisconsin | Central Wisconsin
Eau Claire RiverCounty Highway J Landing to Ross Avenue River Access
Short high-value lower Eau Claire split from County J to the developed Ross Avenue access, with continuous boulder gardens, Class I-II character, and an official same-corridor stage gauge.
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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
Run the liveliest lower Eau Claire water-trail split from County J to the developed Ross Avenue access. The route is short but not casual: WRT documents boulder gardens, a Class II drop, nearly continuous rapids below County J, and a fast final approach to Ross when water is up.
Access map
Put-in
County Highway J LandingCounty J is a bridge landing and should be checked for current bank, parking, and traffic conditions before launching.
Take-out
Ross Avenue River AccessRoss Avenue is the planned take-out and a developed water-trail access; move left early above the bridges and do not drift past the intended landing.
Road shuttle
Stage Ross Avenue first, then return to County J. Walk the Ross landing before launching because WRT guest notes warn the current can make the bridge-area take-out tricky around good-water levels.
Additional access notes
- The Weston stage thresholds use gage height. Do not convert the WRT guest cfs comments into a separate app range without a current rating curve.
More route and safety guidance
- Take out on river left at Ross Avenue before the bridge area. WRT guest notes say the take-out can be tricky around 400 cfs because the current is moving fast.
- Do not treat private banks or residential yards as routine bailouts; use the named public bridge/access sites and the Mountain-Bay Trail access context only.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
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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
Eau Claire River at Kelly, 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 | Eau Claire River at Kelly, WI |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 1.00 ft to 2.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 0.50 ft |
| High threshold | 2.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Village of Weston Eau Claire River water-trail stage guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
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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 and mileageCounty J to Ross Avenue, about 3.7 mi
Wisconsin River Trips calls Highway J-to-Ross a great section with more rapids and boulder gardens.
- Access coordinatesWRT overview KML resolves Highway J and Ross Avenue
The WRT KML marks Highway J at -89.5057011, 44.9014989 and Ross Avenue at -89.5518243, 44.9183349.
- Ross access and gauge guidance5007 Babl Lane Ross access; 1 ft beginner / over 2 ft experienced
Weston lists the Ross Avenue river access and says water depth around one foot is ideal for beginners, while over two feet is more challenging and for experienced paddlers.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05397500 Water Services returned HTTP 503 on 2026-07-23
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 Eau Claire River
All 3Nearby routes within 75 miles
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