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Wisconsin | Lower Wisconsin Riverway
Wisconsin RiverGotham / Buena Vista Landing to Muscoda Landing West
Scenic Lower Wisconsin State Riverway day from Buena Vista Landing at Gotham to Muscoda Landing West, with big sandbars, bluff views, side-channel choices, and a direct Muscoda gauge at the take-out town.
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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 Gotham / Buena Vista Boat Landing near the Pine River mouth and finish at Muscoda Landing West just downstream of the Highway 80 bridge. This is a short Lower Wisconsin day with big sandbars, bluff views, side-channel exploration, and a direct Muscoda gauge.
Access map
Put-in
Gotham / Buena Vista Boat LandingWisconsin DNR lists Buena Vista Boat Landing and Muscoda west-side access as major public access points on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.
Take-out
Muscoda Landing WestWisconsin River Trips notes that Gotham is a good public access but has no outhouse, prohibits overnight parking, and has poison ivy around the landing.
Road shuttle
Use a Lower Wisconsin vehicle shuttle between Buena Vista Landing at Gotham and Muscoda Landing West off West River Road. The road shuttle is straightforward but rural; confirm the intended west-side Muscoda landing before leaving a vehicle.
Additional access notes
- Muscoda has multiple landings. This route uses Muscoda Landing West / Old Muscoda Landing on West River Road, not the newer Victoria Riverside Park motorboat ramp upstream.
More route and safety guidance
- The Lower Wisconsin can rise quickly after upstream rain or dam operations; check trend, weather, and daylight before committing.
- Use the named public landings and do not camp on private sandbars or banks without current permission.
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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
Wisconsin River at Muscoda, 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
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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 | Wisconsin River at Muscoda, WI |
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| Preferred range | 4,000 cfs to 10,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 2,500 cfs |
| High threshold | 20,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
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| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin Trail Guide Lower Wisconsin Riverway LWSR2 suggested river levels |
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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 level bands4,000 to 10,000 cfs normal
Wisconsin Trail Guide treats 4,000 to 10,000 cfs at Muscoda as normal summer conditions with many medium to large sandbars, 14,000 to 17,000 cfs as high flow with sandbar camping not recommended, and above 20,000 cfs as paddling not recommended.
- Exact route report7.9 miles
Wisconsin River Trips documents Gotham / Buena Vista Boat Landing to Old Muscoda Landing as a 7.9-mile route with sandbars, bluff scenery, side-channel exploration, fast current, and a 3 to 4 hour expected paddle time.
- Access supportDNR-listed public access points
Wisconsin DNR lists Buena Vista Boat Landing (Gotham) and Muscoda west side of Highway 80 among major Lower Wisconsin State Riverway public access points.
- Endpoint coordinatesWTG LWSR2 WGS84 points
Wisconsin Trail Guide publishes Buena Vista Landing at 43.20903, -90.30424 and Muscoda Landing West at 43.19800, -90.44576 in its LWSR2 guide.
- Primary hazardsHidden current and narrow-channel strainers
Wisconsin Trail Guide warns of undercurrents at higher flows, especially around sandbars and islands; Wisconsin River Trips also notes fast current, dangerous shoreline strainers, and poison ivy at Gotham.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
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Other routes nearby
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All 12Nearby routes within 75 miles
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