Wisconsin | Central Wisconsin
Tomorrow River
Rising Star Mill, Nelsonville to Amherst Dam
Check current paddling conditions for this Tomorrow 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
Checking weather.
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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
A clear-water Tomorrow River day from Nelsonville to Amherst, ending above the Amherst dam. The direct gauge and route-specific observed level support a conservative low-water screen, but the narrow channel, cold water, and mandatory dam take-out require same-day inspection.
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
Rising Star Mill landing, NelsonvilleRising Star Mill and the Amherst take-out are named route endpoints, but confirm current parking, landing, and event conditions before launching.
Take-out
Amherst downtown dam take-outThe Amherst dam is a hard route boundary. Do not continue downstream or attempt an improvised portage.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Rising Star Mill and the Amherst take-out are named route endpoints, but confirm current parking, landing, and event conditions before launching.
- The Amherst dam is a hard route boundary. Do not continue downstream or attempt an improvised portage.
- The source's upper access descriptions include steep or awkward launches; use a stable entry and do not slide into fast current.
Watch for
- Flow below the 33.5 cfs observed trip level, shallow rocks, and boat scraping.
- Strainers, tight bends, bridge approaches, cold water, private banks, and rising water after storms.
- The Amherst dam and the loss of current in the lower flowage near the take-out.
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 | Tomorrow River near Nelsonville, 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 | 34 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Miles Paddled Tomorrow River recorded paddling level |
| 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.
- Route-specific trip reportRising Star Mill to Amherst Dam, 6.5 mi
Miles Paddled documents both endpoint pairs, GPS coordinates, route distance, difficulty, and the 33.5 cfs observed paddling level.
- Public access contextTomorrow River Wayside and Portage County access network
Portage County identifies public Tomorrow River access, including Tomorrow River Wayside on Highway Q near Nelsonville; the route's named Rising Star Mill landing is corroborated by the route source and local visitor materials.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 04080798 Tomorrow River near Nelsonville
USGS publishes continuous discharge and gage-height telemetry for the direct station near Nelsonville.
- Minimum-only threshold33.5 cfs observed trip level
Use this as a conservative low-water screen only; it is an observed community trip level, not a full ideal/high ladder or guarantee of safe conditions.
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
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Tomorrow River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Tomorrow River?
Paddle Today watches Tomorrow River near Nelsonville, WI and uses 34 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Tomorrow River route start and end?
This route starts at Rising Star Mill landing, Nelsonville and ends at Amherst downtown dam take-out, about About 6.5 mi on the water.
Is this Tomorrow 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.