Wisconsin | Northwest Wisconsin
White River
Maple Ridge Road Bridge to Highway 112 Dam
Check current paddling conditions for this White 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
Run the WH1 White River reach from Maple Ridge Road to the Highway 112 Dam landing. The first miles are remote and wooded; the lower half adds frequent riffles, Class I-II rapids, ledges, strainers, and a mandatory stop at the flowage/dam boundary.
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
Maple Ridge Road BridgeThe Highway 112 landing is the mandatory plan stop. Do not continue below the dam or into drawdown-exposed drops without a separate whitewater plan.
Take-out
Highway 112 Dam / Xcel Energy LandingThe Ashland gauge is direct, but AW and Miles Paddled evidence makes the current 181 cfs reading low for this route. Scout before committing at marginal levels.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The Highway 112 landing is the mandatory plan stop. Do not continue below the dam or into drawdown-exposed drops without a separate whitewater plan.
- The Ashland gauge is direct, but AW and Miles Paddled evidence makes the current 181 cfs reading low for this route. Scout before committing at marginal levels.
- Private banks and remote forested corridors limit casual bailouts. Carry repair, insulation, and enough daylight for a long shuttle day.
Watch for
- Nearly continuous lower-route riffles and Class I-II rapids, including The Ledge area noted by WTG.
- Overhanging trees, deadfall, strainers, and blind bends after wind or storms.
- Cold water, limited rescue access, and flowage drawdown changes near the Highway 112 dam.
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 | White River near Ashland, 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 | 201 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 | American Whitewater White River WH1 flow guidance |
| 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.
- Official-style route familyWTG WH1 Maple Ridge Road Bridge to Highway 112 Dam, 14.9 miles
Wisconsin Trail Guide maps the route, access pair, distance, Class I-II rapids, ledges, gradient, and nearby camping context.
- Whitewater reach and gaugeAW White River WH1, Class I-II, USGS 04027500
American Whitewater documents the same reach ending at the Highway 112 flowage/dam and ties it directly to the White River near Ashland gauge.
- Endpoint coordinates46.43763, -91.0262 to 46.49858, -90.90995
Miles Paddled publishes GPS coordinates for the Maple Ridge put-in and Highway 112 Dam take-out and reports 200 cfs as a recommended near-floor level.
- Current gauge check181 cfs and 0.76 ft at 2026-07-16 18:35 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current direct-gauge values below the selected minimum-only floor during this run.
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
White River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling White River?
Paddle Today watches White River near Ashland, WI and uses 201 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this White River route start and end?
This route starts at Maple Ridge Road Bridge and ends at Highway 112 Dam / Xcel Energy Landing, about About 14.9 mi on the water.
Is this White 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.