See all 3 routes on Pecatonica River
Wisconsin | Driftless Wisconsin
Pecatonica River
Black Bridge Landing to Wells Landing
Check current paddling conditions for this Pecatonica 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 at Black Bridge Landing, the city improved Pecatonica boat launch in Darlington, then paddle the town riffles and rural lower-Pecatonica bends to Wells Landing on Walnut Road. The longer distance and muddy banks make this a planned day trip rather than a quick float.
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
Black Bridge LandingLafayette County publishes both landing coordinates, but Wells Landing can be muddy after high water and may require a messy carry from the ramp area.
Take-out
Wells Landing / Walnut RoadBlack Bridge Landing is the cleaner public start; avoid substituting the steeper Roller Coaster Road bridge unless you have scouted it first.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Lafayette County publishes both landing coordinates, but Wells Landing can be muddy after high water and may require a messy carry from the ramp area.
- Black Bridge Landing is the cleaner public start; avoid substituting the steeper Roller Coaster Road bridge unless you have scouted it first.
- The route has steep muddy banks and private farmland edges, so emergency exits may be awkward even though the river itself is generally gentle.
Watch for
- Partial logjams and strainers on the Darlington-to-Roller-Coaster-Road section.
- High, muddy water and shoreside strainers above about 291 cfs on the Darlington gauge.
- Cold-water exposure in spring and fall, plus ATV traffic if using the Cheese Country Trail for shuttle.
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 | Pecatonica River at Darlington, 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 | 101 cfs to 250 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 501 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Pecatonica River - Roller Coaster Road to Wells Landing gauge guide |
| 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.
- Published lower-Pec ladder101 to 250 cfs target range
Wisconsin River Trips uses the Pecatonica River at Darlington gauge for the lower Pecatonica and rates 101-210 cfs as very ideal, 211-250 cfs as average and fine, 291-350 cfs as high, 351-500 cfs as very high, and 501+ cfs as too high and muddy for enjoyable paddling.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 05432500
USGS operates the Pecatonica River at Darlington monitoring location on the route corridor, with current discharge and gage-height observations.
- Put-in supportBlack Bridge Landing
Lafayette County lists Black Bridge Landing with coordinates, and Darlington says Black Bridge Park provides the city improved Pecatonica River boat launch.
- Take-out supportWells Landing
Lafayette County lists Wells Landing with coordinates on Walnut Road, while Wisconsin River Trips describes Wells Landing as a good lower-Pecatonica boat launch.
- Route mileageAbout 12.3 river miles
Wisconsin River Trips breaks the route into Black Bridge Park to Roller Coaster Road at 4.9 miles and Roller Coaster Road to Walnut Road/Wells Landing at about 7.3 miles.
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
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Quick answers
Pecatonica River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Pecatonica River?
Paddle Today watches Pecatonica River at Darlington, WI and treats 101 cfs to 250 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Pecatonica River route start and end?
This route starts at Black Bridge Landing and ends at Wells Landing / Walnut Road, about 12.3 mi on the water.
Is this Pecatonica 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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