See all 3 routes on Pecatonica River
Wisconsin | Driftless Wisconsin
Pecatonica RiverBlack Bridge Landing to Wells Landing
Lower Pecatonica day from Darlington through the first rural bends below town. Black Bridge Landing is the clean public put-in, Wells Landing is a named county landing, and the direct Darlington gauge has a route-specific lower-Pecatonica flow ladder.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
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.
Access map
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.
Road shuttle
Use a two-car shuttle between Black Bridge Park in Darlington and Wells Landing on Walnut Road. The bike shuttle can use portions of the Cheese Country Trail, but trail passes, ATV traffic, and surface conditions make a vehicle shuttle simpler.
Additional access notes
- The route has steep muddy banks and private farmland edges, so emergency exits may be awkward even though the river itself is generally gentle.
More route and safety guidance
- High, muddy water makes shoreside strainers and fast current more consequential above the broad target band.
- This 12-plus-mile outing has cold-water and shuttle exposure; use only the named Black Bridge and Wells landings.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
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Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Pecatonica River at Darlington, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Pecatonica River at Darlington, WI |
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| Preferred range | 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 |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
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.
Other routes nearby
More on Pecatonica River
All 3Nearby routes within 75 miles
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