River stage
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin River
- River level
- 1.78 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -1.04 ft
- Recent high
- 4.64 ft
- Recent low
- 2.45 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS WIRW3
- 30-day change
- -0.96 ft
- Average
- 2.96 ft
- Readings
- 119
- Data span
- 119 days
- Record crest
- 18.80 ft
In brief
The Wisconsin River at Wisconsin Rapids, WI read 1.78 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 8.22 ft below action stage. That is 0.96 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge WIRW3
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18.80 ft | 1880-06-15 |
| 2 | 14.80 ft | 2010-09-25 |
| 3 | 14.10 ft | 1935-03-24 |
| 4 | 14.00 ft | 1938-09-12 |
| 5 | 13.68 ft | 2019-04-19 |
| 6 | 13.60 ft | 1911-10-08 |
| 7 | 13.50 ft | 1922-04-11 |
| 8 | 13.40 ft | 1938-09-11 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 8.50 ft
Water approaches a few trees in low-lying areas.
- 10.00 ft
Water covers a walkway in Lions Park in Wisconsin Rapids. Flood stage is at 12 feet.
- 12.00 ft
Water is near a building at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Gaynor Avenue. Playground equipment in Lions Park is surrounded by water.
- 13.50 ft
Floodwaters cover 1st Street and approach 2nd Street. Floodwaters also approach 2nd Avenue near Gaynor Avenue. The current is fast, especially downstream of the dam.
- 14.50 ft
Up 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.
- 14.80 ft
The 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.
- 15.50 ft
Up 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.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Wisconsin River flooding at Wisconsin Rapids?
No. The Wisconsin River at Wisconsin Rapids is at 1.78 ft, 8.22 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Wisconsin Rapids?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 10 ft, minor flooding 12 ft, moderate flooding 13.5 ft and major flooding 14.5 ft.
What is the highest the Wisconsin River has been at Wisconsin Rapids?
The highest crest on record is 18.8 ft, on 1880-06-15.
Is the Wisconsin River high or low right now at Wisconsin Rapids?
At 1.78 ft it is higher than 0% of readings over the last 119 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge WIRW3); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05400760). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.