Wisconsin | Western Wisconsin
Trempealeau River
Colonel Larson Park / Whitehall to Schultz Park / Independence
Check current paddling conditions for this Trempealeau River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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Today
Get the answer fast, then scan the route.
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
Launch at Colonel Larson Park and take out at Schultz / Four Seasons Park for an easy Trempealeau River day with sand-bottom current and real wood hazards. The Dodge gauge is a downstream proxy, so same-day local visual checks still matter.
Put-in
Colonel Larson Park canoe landingOpen mapThe Dodge gauge is downstream of the route. Use it as the route-source benchmark, then make a local visual call at Whitehall.
Take-out
Schultz Park / Four Seasons ParkOpen mapMiles Paddled publishes the named Schultz / Four Seasons Park take-out but its coordinate appears inconsistent with the named Independence park and 8-mile route; this app pins the take-out to the Independence Four Seasons Park / Elm Street area.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The Dodge gauge is downstream of the route. Use it as the route-source benchmark, then make a local visual call at Whitehall.
- Miles Paddled publishes the named Schultz / Four Seasons Park take-out but its coordinate appears inconsistent with the named Independence park and 8-mile route; this app pins the take-out to the Independence Four Seasons Park / Elm Street area.
- Miles Paddled reports a mandatory tree portage near the launch and a possible portage near the finish. Recent storms can change this quickly.
- Do not turn inviting sandbars or private farm banks into campsite assumptions; use formal campgrounds off-route if staying overnight.
Watch for
- Sweepers and strainers in deceptively swift current.
- Shallow sand and walking if the gauge drops below the selected minimum.
- Cold water, fast rises after rain, rural access spacing, and private banks.
Route gallery
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Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
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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 | Trempealeau River at Dodge, 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 | 390 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Data confidence behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Miles Paddled Trempealeau River I Dodge-gauge recommended minimum |
| 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.
- Exact route reportWhitehall to Independence, 8 miles
Miles Paddled documents Colonel Larson Park canoe landing to Schultz / Four Seasons Park in Independence as an 8-mile Trempealeau River route.
- Minimum-only benchmark390 cfs / 4.76 ft at Dodge
Miles Paddled recorded the Trempealeau River at Dodge at 390 cfs / 4.76 ft and labels that trip-day level as the recommended minimum.
- Current gauge check564 cfs / 6.03 ft at 2026-07-23 01:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned same-day Trempealeau River at Dodge values during this run, above the selected minimum-only floor.
- Endpoint coordinates44.37277, -91.32128 to about 44.35982, -91.41650
Miles Paddled publishes the Whitehall launch and named Schultz / Four Seasons Park take-out. Its take-out coordinate appears inconsistent with the named Independence park and 8-mile route, so the app uses the Independence Four Seasons Park / Elm Street location from OpenStreetMap geocoding.
- Wood and portagesOne mandatory early portage plus possible late obstruction
Miles Paddled reports a large-tree portage shortly below the put-in and another possible portage near the finish, so current wood checks remain necessary.
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
Trempealeau River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Trempealeau River?
Paddle Today watches Trempealeau River at Dodge, WI and uses 390 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Trempealeau River route start and end?
This route starts at Colonel Larson Park canoe landing and ends at Schultz Park / Four Seasons Park, about About 8.0 mi on the water.
Is this Trempealeau 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.