See all 2 routes on Eau Claire River - East Branch
Wisconsin | North-Central Wisconsin
Eau Claire River - East BranchCounty Road I to Highway 64
Follow-on East Branch Eau Claire route from the County Road I DNR access to Highway 64, with trout-stream bends, several bridge options, Mills Recreation Area boulder gardens, Class I riffles, and explicit WRT low/high-water bands.
Checking current river conditions…
Route location
Loading the route map.
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at County Road I and finish at Highway 64 for the rockier downstream East Branch route. The Mills Recreation Area stretch supplies the best boulder gardens and Class I riffles, while the first half has more alders and logjam management.
Access map
Put-in
County Road I DNR accessHighway 64 is a bridge take-out with a mowed bank and embankment drag, not a developed launch. Inspect it before paddling.
Take-out
Highway 64 bridge accessSpring Road can shorten the route and sits near Mills Recreation Area parking, but do not assume every bridge bank is suitable for a group take-out.
Road shuttle
Stage the Highway 64 take-out first, then launch from the County Road I DNR access. River Road, Highway H, and Spring Road make useful shorter-route or bailout options if the first half looks too brushy or low.
Choose a shorter tripOptional
Access planner
Choose your launch and take-out
This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
County Road I DNR access to Highway 64 bridge access is about 6.1 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- The Kelly gauge is downstream of the selected route; same-day visual checks at County I and Highway 64 control.
More route and safety guidance
- Expect a hop-over snag near County I, a major logjam, and a logjam/boulder-field portage between Highway H and Spring Road.
- High water can turn the Mills Recreation Area riffles and boulder field into Class II water; avoid rising, muddy, or bankfull conditions.
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.
Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.
Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.
Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.
Conditions
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampDetailed weather
Weather
Hourly forecast
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
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
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
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Share a recent access update, hazard observation or photo.
Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Exact route sourceCounty Road I to Highway 64, 6.1 mi
Wisconsin River Trips documents the exact route, bridge-by-bridge subreaches, access notes, hazards, and a three-hour expected paddle time.
- Gauge bands120 / 151-200 / 451 cfs
WRT calls below 120 cfs too shallow, 151 to 200 cfs the likely ideal target, 301 to 450 cfs high but navigable, and 451 to 900 cfs expert-only/very high.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-1698.1 cfs and 0.46 ft at 2026-07-16 20:00 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.
- Endpoint coordinates45.2037556, -89.2159535 to 45.1454554, -89.245114
Wisconsin River Trips embedded My Maps/KML resolves County I, River Road, Highway H, Spring Road, and Highway 64 coordinates.
- Camping postureDay route only
No on-route public campsite was identified for this bridge-access route; use nearby developed campgrounds only as off-route basecamps.
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 - East Branch
All 2Nearby routes within 75 miles
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.