Wisconsin | Fox Cities Wisconsin
Fox River
Sunset Park, Kimberly to Lutz Park, Appleton
Check current paddling conditions for this Fox River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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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
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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
Paddle the Fox River from Sunset Park in Kimberly to Lutz Park in Appleton with mandatory lock/dam portages unless current authority confirms passage. Use the direct Appleton gauge and a conservative 6,000 cfs maximum-only screen.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Sunset Park Boat Launch, KimberlySunset Park and Lutz Park are named public launch facilities, but confirm seasonal hours, construction, parking, and ramp conditions before departure.
Take-out
Lutz Park ADA kayak launch, AppletonPortage the Appleton locks and dams unless the current lock authority explicitly confirms lawful passage for the craft and date; never approach dam faces, intakes, or outflows.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Sunset Park and Lutz Park are named public launch facilities, but confirm seasonal hours, construction, parking, and ramp conditions before departure.
- Portage the Appleton locks and dams unless the current lock authority explicitly confirms lawful passage for the craft and date; never approach dam faces, intakes, or outflows.
- This route ends at Lutz Park. Do not continue downstream or into Lake Winnebago without a separate route and water-traffic review.
Watch for
- Appleton gauge above 6,000 cfs, rising trend, fast current, dam draw, lock closure, cold water, heavy boat traffic, and storm debris.
- Urban access changes, portage obstructions, and private-bank sections; same-day visual checks override the community flow screen.
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 | Fox River at Appleton, 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 | Not calibrated yet |
| High threshold | 6,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers Appleton Locks flow safety limit |
| 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.
- Named public endpointsSunset Park Boat Launch, Kimberly to Lutz Park ADA kayak launch, Appleton
Fox Cities lists both public kayak/boat launch facilities and their street locations.
- Appleton endpoint accessLutz Park, 1320 S Lutz Dr, Appleton
Fox Cities describes Lutz Park's boat launch and ADA kayak launch; the USGS station is at the south end of the park.
- High-flow safety screen6,000 cfs maximum-only conservative screen
Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers moved or shortened the Appleton Locks paddle when flow exceeded 6,000 cfs because dam draws became hazardous.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 04084445 Fox River at Appleton
USGS operates the continuous discharge and stage station at Lutz Park.
- Lock and portage contextFour Appleton locks; portage unless current authority confirms passage
The Fox River Navigational System Authority publishes lock operations and boating rules; paddlers must follow current notices and never approach dam hazards.
- Image rightsNo third-party image added
Route publication relies on official/source links and coordinates; no image asset is required.
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.
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More routes to check next
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Quick answers
Fox River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Fox River?
Paddle Today watches Fox River at Appleton, WI and uses Not calibrated yet as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Fox River route start and end?
This route starts at Sunset Park Boat Launch, Kimberly and ends at Lutz Park ADA kayak launch, Appleton, about About 6.8 mi, route-plan approximate on the water.
Is this Fox River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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