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Wisconsin | Lower Wisconsin Riverway
Wisconsin River
Muscoda Landing West to Woodman Landing
Check current paddling conditions for this Wisconsin 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
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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 Muscoda Landing West and paddle the LWSR3 corridor past island braids, Blue River, Boscobel, and wooded lower-river bluffs before taking out up the Big Green River at Woodman Landing.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Muscoda Landing WestWisconsin Trail Guide lists Muscoda Landing West as a developed ramp with trailer turnaround and parking, reached from West River Road west of Highway 80.
Take-out
Woodman LandingWoodman Landing is a short distance up the Big Green River / Little Green River confluence area from the Wisconsin River; do not miss the turn near Highway 133.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Wisconsin Trail Guide lists Muscoda Landing West as a developed ramp with trailer turnaround and parking, reached from West River Road west of Highway 80.
- Woodman Landing is a short distance up the Big Green River / Little Green River confluence area from the Wisconsin River; do not miss the turn near Highway 133.
- The route is intentionally scored as one long route even though Port Andrew, Blue River, and Boscobel are viable bailout or shorter-route landings.
Watch for
- Long-distance fatigue, storms, heat, broad-river wind, and limited quick exits late in the route.
- Side-channel strainers around Columbe Island, Allen Island, Gillis Island, and other wooded island forks.
- Steep sandbar drop-offs and strong current, especially in the lee of islands and sandbars.
- High-water undercurrents and reduced sandbar camping when the Muscoda gauge rises above the normal range.
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 | Wisconsin River at Muscoda, 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 |
| Target band | 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 |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin Trail Guide LWSR3 Muscoda-gauge suggested river levels |
| 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 guide routeMuscoda to Woodman, 24.5 miles
Wisconsin Trail Guide LWSR3 documents Muscoda Landing West to Woodman Landing as a 24.5-mile Lower Wisconsin route with flat water, 29 feet of drop, and a full-day or multi-day time estimate.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 05407000
USGS identifies 05407000 as Wisconsin River at Muscoda, WI, with the site located at the put-in town and used by Wisconsin Trail Guide for LWSR3 level guidance.
- Published level bands4,000 to 10,000 cfs normal
Wisconsin Trail Guide LWSR3 lists below 4,000 cfs as very shallow, 4,000-10,000 cfs as normal summer conditions, 17,000-20,000 cfs as high day-trip-only water, and above 20,000 cfs as not recommended.
- Endpoint coordinatesMuscoda 43.19800, -90.44576; Woodman 43.07699, -90.84597
Wisconsin Trail Guide LWSR3 PDF publishes NAD83 / WGS84 coordinates for Muscoda Landing West and Woodman Landing.
- Public access supportDNR major access corridor
Wisconsin DNR lists Muscoda west side of Highway 80, Blue River Landing, Boscobel Landings, and Woodman Lake among major public access points on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.
- Route cautionsIslands, strainers, sandbar drop-offs
Wisconsin Trail Guide highlights island forks, narrow channels, strainers, strong current near sandbars, and reduced sandbar camping suitability as flows rise.
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
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Wisconsin River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Wisconsin River?
Paddle Today watches Wisconsin River at Muscoda, WI and treats 4,000 cfs to 10,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Wisconsin River route start and end?
This route starts at Muscoda Landing West and ends at Woodman Landing, about 24.5 mi on the water.
Is this Wisconsin River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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