Wisconsin | Central Wisconsin
Lemonweir River
Mauston Dam to 19th Avenue Landing
Check current paddling conditions for this Lemonweir 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 below the Mauston Dam and paddle the first lower-Lemonweir reach to the 19th Avenue / Lemonweir Mills landing. The route has easy riffles and wooded scenery but sits immediately below a dam and depends on same-day wood and tailwater checks.
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
Mauston Dam downstream accessDo not launch above the Mauston Dam for this route. Put in only below the dam and away from spillway current.
Take-out
19th Avenue / Lemonweir Mills LandingLemonweir Mills is a basic no-fee public launch without a dock or toilets. Confirm footing and current before committing as the take-out.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Do not launch above the Mauston Dam for this route. Put in only below the dam and away from spillway current.
- Lemonweir Mills is a basic no-fee public launch without a dock or toilets. Confirm footing and current before committing as the take-out.
- The New Lisbon gauge is direct but upstream of the route. Visual checks at the dam and 19th Avenue still control after storms or wind events.
Watch for
- Dam tailwater, immediate riffles, fresh strainers, and blind wooded bends.
- Low-water sandbars, mosquitoes, and private banks along the short corridor.
- Cold water in spring and fall, plus faster current or new obstructions after rain.
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 | Lemonweir River at New Lisbon, 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 | 170 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Mauston route and Miles Paddled Lemonweir gauge floor |
| 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 reportMauston Dam to 19th Avenue Landing, 5 miles
Wisconsin River Trips documents this route with a Mauston Dam put-in, 19th Avenue take-out, three-hour trip time, and 0.9 ft/mi gradient.
- Exact route level240 cfs at New Lisbon was good depth
Wisconsin River Trips ties the exact Mauston route to USGS 05403500 and reports 240 cfs as good depth for the trip.
- Conservative low floor170 cfs minimum-only floor
Miles Paddled ties lower Lemonweir paddling to the New Lisbon gauge and gives 170 cfs as a conservative minimum for the route family.
- Official take-outJuneau County Lemonweir Mills Boat Launch
Juneau County lists Lemonweir Mills on 19th Avenue as a no-fee public launch for kayaks, canoes, and small boats.
- Current gauge check291 cfs and 3.96 ft at 2026-07-16 16:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current discharge and stage for the direct Lemonweir River at New Lisbon gauge during this run.
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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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Lemonweir River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Lemonweir River?
Paddle Today watches Lemonweir River at New Lisbon, WI and uses 170 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Lemonweir River route start and end?
This route starts at Mauston Dam downstream access and ends at 19th Avenue / Lemonweir Mills Landing, about About 5 mi on the water.
Is this Lemonweir 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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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.