See all 4 routes on La Crosse River
Wisconsin | Western Wisconsin
La Crosse River
County Highway BB gauge to Angelo Wayside County Park
Check current paddling conditions for this La Crosse 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
Launch at the public County Highway BB bridge near the direct USGS gauge and take out at Monroe County's Angelo Wayside canoe-access park. End before the Angelo Pond dam; do not continue into the impoundment or attempt a spontaneous dam portage.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
County Highway BB La Crosse River gauge / public bridge accessThe BB start is a bridge access, not a developed ramp; inspect the shoulder, carry, and traffic conditions before leaving a vehicle.
Take-out
Angelo Wayside County Park canoe-launch parkingMonroe County lists Angelo Wayside canoe-launch parking, but the route ends at the public park before the dam. Confirm the water-level landing and carry on arrival.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The BB start is a bridge access, not a developed ramp; inspect the shoulder, carry, and traffic conditions before leaving a vehicle.
- Monroe County lists Angelo Wayside canoe-launch parking, but the route ends at the public park before the dam. Confirm the water-level landing and carry on arrival.
- Fort McCoy and intervening private banks are not alternate access. Do not exit except at the named endpoints or in an emergency.
- Angelo Pond is listed as impaired for PFOS-contaminated fish tissue; avoid treating the pond as a fishing or swimming destination and follow current Wisconsin fish-advisory guidance.
Watch for
- Fresh strainers and fast rises after rain, especially on the upper narrow channel.
- Shallow, silty water as the route approaches Angelo Pond.
- The Angelo Pond dam and any temptation to continue beyond the named take-out.
- Cold water, traffic at the bridge access, and private or restricted banks.
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 | La Crosse River at County Trunk Highway BB near Tomah, 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 |
| Target band | 135 cfs to 155 cfs |
| Low threshold | 135 cfs |
| High threshold | 200 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips La Crosse River Fort McCoy segment (Sparta-gauge proxy) |
| 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.
- Exact route reportCounty Highway BB to Angelo Wayside, 5.3 miles
Wisconsin River Trips documents the BB bridge start, Angelo Wayside finish, sandy water, and the silted Angelo flowage.
- Live gaugeUSGS 05382267 at County Trunk Highway BB
The direct station provides current discharge and stage at the route put-in.
- Conservative water band135-155 cfs; 200 cfs stand-down
Wisconsin River Trips describes 135 cfs as low and avoids above roughly 155 cfs for this reach; the app labels this as a downstream Sparta-gauge proxy and does not imply a direct station-specific study.
- Public take-outAngelo Wayside County Park canoe-launch parking
Monroe County lists the park's boat launch, canoe-launch parking, picnic area, and seasonal restrooms at Highway 21 and County Highway I.
- Dam and water-safety contextEnd before Angelo Pond dam; small, shallow impoundment
Wisconsin DNR documents the dam-created Angelo Pond and small boat landing; the route deliberately stops at the public wayside instead of requiring a dam portage.
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
La Crosse River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling La Crosse River?
Paddle Today watches La Crosse River at County Trunk Highway BB near Tomah, WI and treats 135 cfs to 155 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this La Crosse River route start and end?
This route starts at County Highway BB La Crosse River gauge / public bridge access and ends at Angelo Wayside County Park canoe-launch parking, about About 5.3 mi on the water.
Is this La Crosse River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
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