See all 6 routes on Milwaukee River
Wisconsin | Southeast Wisconsin
Milwaukee River
Fireman's Park to Waubedonia Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Milwaukee 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
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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
Put in at Fireman's Park in Newburg and take out at Waubedonia Park in Fredonia. This is a flow-sensitive easy river where being clearly above the low-water floor matters more than hunting for a perfect sweet spot.
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
Fireman's Park (Newburg)The Fireman's Park parking lot sits on the opposite side of the bridge from the river access, so expect a short carry along the paved path and under the bridge.
Take-out
Waubedonia Park (Fredonia)Waubedonia is the cleaner endpoint and has an official launch, but still confirm park hours and parking rules before leaving a vehicle.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The Fireman's Park parking lot sits on the opposite side of the bridge from the river access, so expect a short carry along the paved path and under the bridge.
- Waubedonia is the cleaner endpoint and has an official launch, but still confirm park hours and parking rules before leaving a vehicle.
Watch for
- Scraping or short wades when Cedarburg drops toward the minimum floor.
- Mild riffles and shallow gravel runs that still need boat control.
- Faster current above the preferred band and cold water outside summer.
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 | Milwaukee River near Cedarburg, 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 | 390 cfs to 600 cfs |
| Low threshold | 200 cfs |
| High threshold | 801 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Milwaukee River - Newburg gauge guidance |
| 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.
- Newburg gauge ladder200-400 best clarity; 400-600 fine; 600+ less fun
Wisconsin River Trips says the Newburg reach is best around 200 to 400 cfs at Cedarburg for clarity, still likely fine at 400 to 600 cfs, and probably doable but less enjoyable above 600 cfs.
- Full-route low-water check390 cfs near the practical floor
Miles Paddled ran Newburg to Waubedonia at a Cedarburg reading around 390 cfs and describes it as just past the point of too low, with some shallow scraping still present.
- Trip style11-mile easy day
Miles Paddled documents the full Newburg Fireman's Park to Waubedonia Park trip as an 11-mile paddle with mostly mild riffles, wooded banks, Riveredge Nature Center scenery, and a little over 6 miles of shuttle.
- Public put-inFireman's Park / Main Street bridge
Wisconsin River Trips describes a public put-in in Fireman's Park just downstream of the Main Street bridge; Miles Paddled uses the same access and documents the short carry from parking.
- Newburg river restorationBarrier removed in 2012
Ozaukee County says the Newburg project restored recreational passage and added improved kayak/canoe access.
- Waubeka river restorationBarrier removed in 2004
Ozaukee County's Ehlers Park history says removal at the Waubeka site left more than 15 miles of the Milwaukee River free-flowing to Grafton.
- Downstream high-water check801+ cfs too high for most groups
On the adjacent Waubeka-to-Waubedonia section, Wisconsin River Trips treats 801+ cfs at Cedarburg as too high for most enjoyable paddling. The app uses that as a conservative high-water cutoff for the combined route.
- Access qualityCounty park canoe/kayak launch
Ozaukee County says Waubedonia Park has boat/canoe/kayak launches, day-visitor hours, restrooms, and seasonal camping.
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
Milwaukee River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Milwaukee River?
Paddle Today watches Milwaukee River near Cedarburg, WI and treats 390 cfs to 600 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Milwaukee River route start and end?
This route starts at Fireman's Park (Newburg) and ends at Waubedonia Park (Fredonia), about 11 mi on the water.
Is this Milwaukee 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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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.