Rivers in Wisconsin

Chippewa River (WI) at Eau Claire

Eau Claire County, WisconsinNWS ECLW3USGS 05366800Chanhassen office

Below flood stage
758.48ftStage

Observed Wed, Sep 23, 10:00 AM CDT

Flood stage
773.00 ft
Record crest
781.00 ft1941

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood778.00 ft
Moderate flood776.00 ft
Minor flood773.00 ft
Action764.00 ft
  1. 778.50 ftAdditional downtown stores and some homes begin experiencing basement flooding.
  2. 776.00 ftThe 1st Avenue and Chippewa Street intersection may flood.
  3. 775.00 ftSome downtown businesses begin getting water in their basements.
  4. 773.00 ftParkland area along the river may flood.
  5. 770.00 ftLower areas of Owen Park begin to flood.
  6. 769.00 ftDowntown trail underpasses may flood.
  7. 764.20 ftLower segments of the Chippewa River Trail begin to flood.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, September to November

CategoryChance
Minor floodingUnder 5%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.

Crest history

29 crests on NOAA’s list since 1938.

#DateStage
1September 1, 1941781.00 ft
2April 2, 1967779.60 ft
3June 21, 1993778.90 ft
4May 3, 1954778.50 ft
5September 25, 2010777.80 ft
6September 10, 1938777.00 ft
7June 2, 2013776.80 ft
8April 22, 2023776.44 ft
9April 14, 2002776.20 ft
10April 19, 2019775.06 ft
11May 20, 2017775.04 ft
12April 21, 1996774.90 ft
13March 18, 2016774.64 ft
14April 13, 2001774.50 ft
15June 2, 1938774.50 ft
16April 10, 2001774.40 ft
17May 15, 2003773.80 ft
18June 20, 2018773.31 ft
19April 7, 1997772.90 ft
20September 18, 1994772.90 ft
21October 11, 2018771.59 ft
22March 31, 2020771.15 ft
23April 12, 2011771.10 ft
24May 23, 2013770.90 ft
25June 22, 2013768.50 ft

Most recent crests

  • April 22, 2023: 776.44 ft
  • March 26, 2021: 766.31 ft
  • March 31, 2020: 771.15 ft
  • April 19, 2019: 775.06 ft
  • October 11, 2018: 771.59 ft
  • June 20, 2018: 773.31 ft
  • May 20, 2017: 775.04 ft
  • March 18, 2016: 774.64 ft
  • June 22, 2013: 768.50 ft
  • June 8, 2013: 766.50 ft

Nearby

Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.

What this means

Forecasts by the North Central River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. Stage may be affected by ice.

Sources

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.