See all 6 routes on Mecan River
Wisconsin | Central Wisconsin
Mecan River
Highway 22 to Germania Marsh Dam
Route planning details, access notes, and local verification guidance.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
Use the gauge context and hourly forecast to verify local conditions before launching.
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
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
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 Highway 22 and paddle downstream through the Germania Marsh corridor to the dam access. This route is short on paper but carries more logistics than the upstream Mecan cards because of marsh navigation, wind exposure, fish-barrier signs, and the mandatory dam stop.
Plan a shorter segmentOptional
Access planner
Pick a shorter segment
This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
Peltier Lake to Long Lake is the full route. Shorter access pairs are useful when wind, time, or group energy changes the plan.
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
Highway 22 Mecan River accessThe Highway 22 launch is public but small; inspect parking, footing, and bridge clearance before committing.
Take-out
Germania Marsh Dam accessWRT notes an electric fish barrier warning and an alternate take-out near Duck Creek about 1.1 miles above the dam. Treat that as a real decision point if signs or conditions warrant stopping early.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The Highway 22 launch is public but small; inspect parking, footing, and bridge clearance before committing.
- WRT notes an electric fish barrier warning and an alternate take-out near Duck Creek about 1.1 miles above the dam. Treat that as a real decision point if signs or conditions warrant stopping early.
- The Germania Marsh Dam take-out must be confirmed before launch, including seasonal gate or ramp access. Do not drift into the dam corridor.
Watch for
- Open-marsh wind, confusing channels, low bridge clearance, and the need for GPS or a reliable map.
- Electric fish barrier signage, overgrown portage/access paths, and quicksand or soft-bottom wading risk.
- Cold water, private banks, storms, and any mismatch between Chaffee proxy levels and visible Mecan conditions.
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
Data and sources
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 | 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 |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Highway 22 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 reportHighway 22 to Germania Marsh Dam, 5.8 miles
WRT documents the exact route, Highway 22 access, fish-barrier warning, marsh navigation, Germania Marsh Dam access, and Chaffee Creek stage bands.
- DNR Mecan system contextMecan Fishery Area canoeing and parking
Wisconsin DNR lists canoeing as a recreational opportunity in the Mecan River Fishery Area and notes numerous parking areas across the system.
- 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
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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 Highway 22 Mecan River access and ends at Germania Marsh Dam access, about About 5.8 mi on the water.
Is this Mecan 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.