Wisconsin | Southeast Wisconsin

Milwaukee River

Washington Street Dam to Quaas Creek Park

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Today

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Today's conditions

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Quick facts

On-water distance 3.9 mi Washington Street Dam to Quaas Creek Park

Difficulty moderate Short mileage keeps this approachable, but it is not flatwater. Expect many Class I riffles, one bouncier Class II-in-high-water rapid below Indiana Avenue, fast current, and a few strainer-lined banks that deserve active boat control.

Shuttle Car or bike The standard shuttle is about 3.5 miles. Wisconsin River Trips says it works especially well as a short bike-and-paddle combo using city trails, but a simple car shuttle is easier for most groups.

Permits None noted No route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow posted city park, trail, and parking rules at the Washington Street dam area and Quaas Creek Park.

Camping Day trip No on-route camping is documented for this short urban day trip. Treat it as a day paddle.

Season Apr-Oct Spring through fall works when Cedarburg is clearly above the shallow bands. Higher water brings pushier current and less forgiving shoreline strainers through the downtown and prairie sections.

Plan

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Access plan

Access, shuttle, and map

Launch south of the Washington Street dam in West Bend and finish at Quaas Creek Park. This is a short but lively Milwaukee River run with downtown riffles, a restored-prairie middle stretch, and a cleaner route-specific gauge story than most upper-Milwaukee prospects.

Directions Apple Maps OpenStreetMap

Start

Put-in

Washington Street Dam launch (south of Hwy 33) Open map

The put-in is a public launch area below the dam rather than a large formal boat ramp, so scout the shoreline and current before unloading.

Finish

Take-out

Quaas Creek Park canoe/kayak launch Open map

Quaas Creek Park has multiple access points; Wisconsin River Trips used the south access, which involves a longer carry but cleaner official parking.

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Access caveats

The put-in is a public launch area below the dam rather than a large formal boat ramp, so scout the shoreline and current before unloading.
Quaas Creek Park has multiple access points; Wisconsin River Trips used the south access, which involves a longer carry but cleaner official parking.
If you shorten the trip to Riverside Park, you keep most of the best current but end up with a very short paddle.

Watch for

Many Class I riffles through downtown West Bend and a stronger rapid below Indiana Avenue that can feel Class II at higher water.
A strainer-choked right channel at the island below the railroad bridge; stay left there.
Fast current, shoreline strainers in high water, and cold-water consequences outside warm weather.

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Sources

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Why this score Today's data confidence is checking

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Outlook Tomorrow and weekend

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Data behind the score Gauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge site	Milwaukee River near Cedarburg, WI
Discharge	Checking
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Target band	351 cfs to 600 cfs
Low threshold	250 cfs
High threshold	1,001 cfs
Data confidence behind the range	Local route guidance
Gauge observed	Checking
Paddle Today updated	Checking
Main source behind this score	Wisconsin River Trips Milwaukee River - West Bend gauge guide
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Notes What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

Published route ladder 351 to 600 cfs target range

Wisconsin River Trips says 0 to 250 cfs is likely too shallow above Riverside Park, 251 to 350 can require walking, 351 to 600 is a good target, 601 to 800 is high but manageable, 801 to 1000 is very high, and 1001+ is probably too high.

Source
Direct gauge USGS 04086600

USGS operates the Milwaukee River near Cedarburg monitoring location used by the route-specific Wisconsin River Trips guidance.

Source
Route pairing Washington Street dam to Quaas Creek Park

Visit West Bend tells paddlers to launch south of the Washington Street dam and paddle downstream to Quaas Creek Park for a trip of about four miles.

Source
Take-out support City park canoe/kayak launch

Visit West Bend describes Quaas Creek Park as a good place to launch canoes and kayaks on the Milwaukee River corridor.

Source
Put-in coordinates 43.42833, -88.18399

A named monitoring point in the Milwaukee River basin bioassessment plan identifies the West Bend Dam tailwater at Highway 33, matching the public Washington Street dam launch area described by Wisconsin River Trips and Visit West Bend.

Source
Take-out coordinates 43.41636, -88.14629

Mapcarta resolves the named Quaas Creek Park feature at the city park address used by Visit West Bend.

Source

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Quick answers

Milwaukee River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Milwaukee River?

Paddle Today watches Milwaukee River near Cedarburg, WI and treats 351 cfs to 600 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Milwaukee River route start and end?

This route starts at Washington Street Dam launch (south of Hwy 33) and ends at Quaas Creek Park canoe/kayak launch, about 3.9 mi on the water.

Is this Milwaukee 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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