Wisconsin River at Wisconsin Rapids
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 12:30 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 12.00 ft
- Record crest
- 18.80 ft1880
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 14.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 13.50 ft |
| Minor flood | 12.00 ft |
| Action | 10.00 ft |
- 15.50 ftUp to 3 feet of water is covering 2nd Avenue near the State Office Building. Up to 3 feet of water covers 1st and 2nd Streets with floodwaters spreading into 3rd Street and Market Street. The Grand Avenue and Jackson Street bridges may be impacted.
- 14.80 ftThe water current is extremely dangerous at 78500 cubic feet per second downstream of the dam. Floodwaters are near the bottom of the Jackson Street and Grand Avenue bridges. Up to 2 feet of water covers 1st and 2nd Streets and floodwaters reach the county courthouse. Up to 2 feet of water cover sections of Gaynor Avenue and South Second Avenue near a roundabout by the state office building.
- 14.50 ftUp to a foot of water covers portions of 2nd Avenue near Gaynor Avenue and up to a foot of water covers 1st and 2nd Streets just downstream of the dam.
- 13.50 ftFloodwaters cover 1st Street and approach 2nd Street. Floodwaters also approach 2nd Avenue near Gaynor Avenue. The current is fast, especially downstream of the dam.
- 12.00 ftWater is near a building at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Gaynor Avenue. Playground equipment in Lions Park is surrounded by water.
- 10.00 ftWater covers a walkway in Lions Park in Wisconsin Rapids. Flood stage is at 12 feet.
- 8.50 ftWater approaches a few trees in low-lying areas.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
32 crests on NOAA’s list since 1880.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 15, 1880 | 18.80 ft |
| 2 | September 25, 2010 | 14.80 ft |
| 3 | March 24, 1935 | 14.10 ft |
| 4 | September 12, 1938 | 14.00 ft |
| 5 | April 19, 2019 | 13.68 ft |
| 6 | October 8, 1911 | 13.60 ft |
| 7 | April 11, 1922 | 13.50 ft |
| 8 | September 11, 1938 | 13.40 ft |
| 9 | April 12, 2011 | 12.90 ft |
| 10 | April 13, 1965 | 12.80 ft |
| 11 | June 21, 1993 | 12.50 ft |
| 12 | March 18, 2016 | 12.40 ft |
| 13 | April 9, 1951 | 12.30 ft |
| 14 | April 3, 1967 | 12.20 ft |
| 15 | May 8, 1960 | 12.00 ft |
| 16 | March 16, 1973 | 12.00 ft |
| 17 | April 17, 1973 | 11.82 ft |
| 18 | June 7, 1980 | 11.67 ft |
| 19 | March 7, 1983 | 11.61 ft |
| 20 | September 27, 1986 | 11.60 ft |
| 21 | April 20, 1972 | 11.50 ft |
| 22 | June 15, 1990 | 11.50 ft |
| 23 | April 11, 1971 | 11.01 ft |
| 24 | June 28, 1969 | 11.00 ft |
| 25 | May 4, 1973 | 11.00 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 15, 2022: 8.95 ft
- August 29, 2021: 7.03 ft
- March 31, 2020: 9.68 ft
- April 19, 2019: 13.68 ft
- March 18, 2016: 12.40 ft
- April 12, 2011: 12.90 ft
- September 25, 2010: 14.80 ft
- April 20, 2003: 8.20 ft
- June 23, 2002: 7.90 ft
- April 7, 1997: 10.60 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. Gauge reading affected by power generation. 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.
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.