See all 7 routes on Namekagon River
Wisconsin | St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Namekagon River
Springbrook Landing to Big Bend Landing
Check current paddling conditions for this Namekagon River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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Today
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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
A short scenic Namekagon link from Springbrook to Big Bend, with light rapids, grassy islands, wooded banks, and easy public Riverway access at both ends.
Put-in
Springbrook LandingOpen mapSpringbrook is the intended put-in; launching upstream overlaps the Stinnett-to-Springbrook rapid connector.
Take-out
Big Bend Landing / POW RoadOpen mapBig Bend is the planned take-out. Earl Park and Trego are downstream alternatives covered by the existing Big-Bend-to-Trego card.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Springbrook is the intended put-in; launching upstream overlaps the Stinnett-to-Springbrook rapid connector.
- Big Bend is the planned take-out. Earl Park and Trego are downstream alternatives covered by the existing Big-Bend-to-Trego card.
- The route is short but still remote enough that wood, low water, or cold-water conditions can turn it into a committed outing.
Watch for
- Light Class I riffles below Springbrook, shallow side channels, grassy island splits, and overhanging wood.
- Low-water scraping near the conservative floor and faster current after rain.
- Private or restricted banks outside signed Riverway access and campsite areas.
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 | Namekagon River at Leonards, 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 | 150 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Data confidence behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | WTG/NPS N3 plus adjacent Namekagon Leonards-gauge evidence |
| 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.
- WTG N3 splitSpringbrook to Big Bend inside the 13.2-mile N3 route
WTG N3 documents Springbrook-to-Trego as 13.2 miles with Springbrook, Big Bend, Earl Park, and Trego coordinates; WRT lists Legion Lane/Springbrook-to-Big Bend as 5.2 miles with Class I rapids.
- Route characterLight rapids, islands, open marsh, and wooded banks
WTG describes light rapids below Springbrook, grassy island channels, spring-fed tributaries, and Big Bend as a wider reach with tall pines and steep banks.
- Current gauge check58.6 cfs / 1.46 ft at 2026-07-23 00:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Leonards discharge and stage during this run, below the selected minimum-only floor.
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.
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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
Namekagon River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Namekagon River?
Paddle Today watches Namekagon River at Leonards, WI and uses 150 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Namekagon River route start and end?
This route starts at Springbrook Landing and ends at Big Bend Landing / POW Road, about About 5.2 mi on the water.
Is this Namekagon 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.