Wisconsin | Southeastern Wisconsin
Fox RiverFrame Park, Waukesha to Fox River Greenway
A public Fabulous Fox Water Trail reach from Frame Park through downtown Waukesha and the Fox River Sanctuary to the Fox River Greenway, with a mandatory Barstow Dam portage and a direct Waukesha live 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
Paddle the documented Fabulous Fox Water Trail from Frame Park through downtown Waukesha and the Fox River Sanctuary to the Fox River Greenway. The route requires a Barstow Dam portage and a conservative 107-cfs minimum-only check.
Access map
Put-in
Frame Park boat launchFrame Park is above Barstow Dam; portage on the marked river walk and never run the dam or its outflow.
Take-out
Fox River Greenway accessThe downtown reach has narrow rock-lined banks, multiple bridges, a short tunnel, and limited bailout choices. Inspect the tunnel for wood before continuing.
Road shuttle
Stage a vehicle at Fox River Greenway, then launch from Frame Park. If conditions are high or the dam portage is unsuitable, use a documented below-dam alternative only after confirming access.
Additional access notes
- Fox River Greenway is the planned take-out. Confirm parking, launch condition, and same-day water/safety conditions before unloading.
More route and safety guidance
- Downtown Waukesha has narrow rock-lined banks, bridges, a short tunnel, and limited bailout choices; inspect the tunnel for wood before continuing.
- Fox River Greenway is the planned take-out. Confirm park access, parking, and same-day conditions before unloading; obey PFD and boating rules.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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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.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Fox River at Waukesha, 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 | Fox River at Waukesha, WI |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 107 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 | American Whitewater Fox River Waukesha reach |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather 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.
- Exact water-trail corridorFrame Park/Barstow Dam to Fox River Greenway, about 4–4.5 miles
Fabulous Fox publishes the route, portage instruction, access alternatives, and take-out.
- Direct live gauge and low-runnable referenceUSGS 05543830; 107 cfs low runnable for the downtown Waukesha reach
American Whitewater ties the direct Waukesha gauge to the downtown reach and publishes the conservative low-runnable reference.
- Public launch and park logisticsFrame Park developed launch; Fox River Greenway gravel take-out
Waukesha County and Fabulous Fox document the public endpoint access and parking/fee context.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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