See all 6 routes on Mecan River
Wisconsin | Central Wisconsin
Mecan River
Dixie Avenue to Highway 22
Check current paddling conditions for this Mecan River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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Today
Get the answer fast, then scan the route.
Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
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
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Use Dixie Avenue to Highway 22 for the middle Mecan card. WRT reports no rapids and consistently fast current, while the app scores the route from the Chaffee Creek proxy with explicit same-day visual-check caveats.
Put-in
Dixie Avenue bridge accessOpen mapDixie Avenue is the same public carry-in used as the upstream route take-out; stage courteously and keep the bridge area clear.
Take-out
Highway 22 Mecan River accessOpen mapHighway 22 has public access northeast of the bridge, but footing, mud, shoulder parking, and vegetation should be checked before leaving a shuttle vehicle.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Dixie Avenue is the same public carry-in used as the upstream route take-out; stage courteously and keep the bridge area clear.
- Highway 22 has public access northeast of the bridge, but footing, mud, shoulder parking, and vegetation should be checked before leaving a shuttle vehicle.
- The Chaffee Creek proxy can miss exact Mecan conditions. Same-day water visibility, bridge clearance, and local storm history should override a marginal score.
Watch for
- Fast current pushing into low branches, bridge edges, and any fresh downed tree.
- Cold water, especially in spring and fall.
- Private banks between the bridge accesses; avoid unplanned stops unless safety requires them.
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.
No approved route photos yet
Start the gallery with shots of the access, river character, or any detail that helps paddlers know what this run actually looks like.
Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Chaffee Creek at I-39 near Coloma, 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 |
| Target band | 3.61 ft to 3.68 ft |
| Low threshold | 3.59 ft |
| High threshold | 3.73 ft |
| Data confidence behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Dixie Avenue Mecan route Chaffee Creek stage estimates |
| 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.
- Route reportDixie Avenue to Highway 22, 4.5 miles
WRT documents the exact route, public access quality, no-rapid character, downed-tree note, and Chaffee Creek stage bands.
- DNR Mecan system contextSpring-fed Mecan River Fishery Area
Wisconsin DNR describes the Mecan system as clear, spring-fed trout water with Chaffee Creek as a direct tributary and canoeing among supported recreation.
- Current gauge check3.62 ft / 11.6 cfs at 2026-07-22 20:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned this same-run reading at Chaffee Creek, inside the selected WRT average/good band.
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
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.
Share your trip
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
Mecan River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Mecan River?
Paddle Today watches Chaffee Creek at I-39 near Coloma, WI and treats 3.61 ft to 3.68 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Mecan River route start and end?
This route starts at Dixie Avenue bridge access and ends at Highway 22 Mecan River access, about About 4.5 mi on the water.
Is this Mecan 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.