Wisconsin | Southeastern Wisconsin
Fox RiverVillage Hall Park, Waterford to Riverside Park, Burlington
A public-access Fox River water-trail reach from Village Hall Park in Waterford to Riverside Park in Burlington, with portages around the Waterford and Rochester dams and a direct Rochester 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 public Fox River water-trail corridor from Waterford to Burlington. The reach is flatwater and scenic but requires two formal dam portages, a minimum-only 4-ft gauge check, and a conservative wind/current call.
Access map
Put-in
Village Hall Park canoe/kayak launchVillage Hall Park is the public put-in above Waterford Dam; do not approach the dam face or use the outflow.
Take-out
Riverside Park, BurlingtonPortage Waterford and Rochester dams at the public facilities identified by Waterford; inspect carries and keep boats clear of active boat traffic.
Road shuttle
Stage Riverside Park in Burlington, then return to Village Hall Park. Plan extra time for the Waterford and Rochester portages and do not count on a quick turnaround at either dam.
Additional access notes
- Riverside Park is the planned take-out in Burlington. Confirm parking/launch conditions and do not continue beyond the planned endpoint without separate route research.
More route and safety guidance
- The Waterford-to-Burlington reach is exposed to wind and slow-water conditions. Check the forecast and make a same-day visual inspection before unloading.
- Riverside Park is the planned take-out; do not continue downstream without a separate route and dam review.
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.
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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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 Rochester, 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.
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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 Rochester, WI |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | 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 |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 4.00 ft |
| 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 | Miles Paddled Fox River II trip report |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Gauge check recorded during route reviewWaterford to Burlington; 4.1 ft observed, below 4 ft shallow
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.
- Dam portage accessWaterford and Rochester public canoe/kayak launches
Waterford's official access page identifies launches above and below both dams and describes the completed public portage facilities.
- Water-trail corridorWaterford/Rochester/Burlington map and itineraries
Fabulous Fox Water Trail publishes the corridor map, access sites, and portage context for this reach.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 05544475 Fox River at Rochester
USGS operates the direct gage-height telemetry station 0.4 miles downstream of Rochester Dam.
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
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