Wisconsin | Northwoods Wisconsin
South Fork Flambeau River
County W Bridge Landing to County M Wayside Landing
Check current paddling conditions for this South Fork Flambeau 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 the County W Bridge Landing and take out at County M Wayside after the 7.4-mile FS2 reach. The route includes Carpenters, Cornsheller, Big Bull, and Bergeron rapids; Little Falls is downstream beyond the take-out.
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
County W Bridge LandingCounty W is a hand-carry landing immediately below the bridge; use the signed landing entrance and do not assume bridge-bank access elsewhere.
Take-out
County M Wayside LandingCounty M Wayside is the documented take-out for FS2; take out there before the downstream South Fork hazards unless separately qualified and equipped.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- County W is a hand-carry landing immediately below the bridge; use the signed landing entrance and do not assume bridge-bank access elsewhere.
- County M Wayside is the documented take-out for FS2; take out there before the downstream South Fork hazards unless separately qualified and equipped.
- The direct gauge is near the upper corridor, but actual rapids and debris can vary after rain; inspect conditions locally before launching.
Watch for
- Carpenters Rapids, Cornsheller Rapids, Big Bull Rapids, and Bergeron Rapids; scout unfamiliar lines.
- Cold water, remote shoreline, wood, changing channels, and limited quick exits.
- Little Falls and stronger downstream South Fork hazards beyond County M; do not continue accidentally.
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 | South Fork Flambeau River Near Phillips, 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 | 227 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater recommended-flow screen for CTH W to Skinner Creek / South Fork Flambeau |
| 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.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 05359500 South Fork Flambeau River near Phillips
USGS reports continuous discharge and stage telemetry at the South Fork station near County Highway W.
- Named public endpointsCounty W Bridge Landing to County M Wayside Landing
Wisconsin DNR lists the established South Fork landing corridor; Wisconsin Trail Guide publishes WGS84 endpoint coordinates and the 7.4-mile FS2 map.
- Flow screen227 cfs minimum-only screen
American Whitewater displays the direct gauge and marks 227 cfs as below recommended on the adjacent CTH W-to-Skinner reach; Paddle Today uses this conservatively as a minimum-only screen.
- Hazards and campingClass II-III rapids; no South Fork canoe camp on this segment
DNR and Wisconsin Trail Guide identify named rapids, seasonal variability, and the downstream Little Falls hazard; DNR's camping page lists canoe camps below the forks rather than on this South Fork segment.
- Image rightsNo third-party image added
The route is documented with official/source links and defensible coordinates; no image asset is required for publication.
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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More routes to check next
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Quick answers
South Fork Flambeau River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling South Fork Flambeau River?
Paddle Today watches South Fork Flambeau River Near Phillips, WI and uses 227 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this South Fork Flambeau River route start and end?
This route starts at County W Bridge Landing and ends at County M Wayside Landing, about 7.4 mi on the water.
Is this South Fork Flambeau River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.