Wisconsin | Northeast Wisconsin

Peshtigo River

Farm Dam Landing to WPS Landing #12

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Difficulty hard Expect nearly five miles of continuous class II-IV whitewater, including First Drop, Third Drop, Five Foot Falls, Horserace, and S-Curve. Scout rapids, paddle with whitewater rescue judgment, or use a local guided rafting outfitter.
Permits None noted No route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest rules, posted landing rules, and any outfitter requirements if using a guided trip.
Camping Options nearby Treat this as a day run unless you have separately reserved or confirmed legal state-forest camping. Overnight island camping is not allowed except at designated campsites.
Season Apr-Oct Spring and rain-fed windows are the main targets. Wisconsin Trail Guide warns that varying water levels dramatically change the rapids, and DNR frames this section as skilled-paddler whitewater.

Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.

Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.

Access, shuttle, and map

Put in at Farm Dam Public Landing and take out at WPS Landing #12 for the Roaring Rapids section of the Peshtigo. This is a compact but serious whitewater route, with the USGS County C gauge inside the run.

Start

Put-in

Farm Dam Public Landing Open map

Wisconsin Trail Guide notes that Farm Dam has separate commercial and public landings; use the northern public landing on Otter Creek.

Finish

Take-out

WPS Landing #12 Open map

WPS Landing #12 is a large developed state-forest landing maintained by Wisconsin Public Service, with parking, trailer turnaround, trailer parking, water, and pit toilets.

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Access caveats

  • Wisconsin Trail Guide notes that Farm Dam has separate commercial and public landings; use the northern public landing on Otter Creek.
  • WPS Landing #12 is a large developed state-forest landing maintained by Wisconsin Public Service, with parking, trailer turnaround, trailer parking, water, and pit toilets.
  • This route is for skilled whitewater paddlers or guided rafting groups. Casual rec boats should not treat it as a normal river float.

Watch for

  • Continuous class II-IV rapids, including First Drop, Third Drop, Five Foot Falls, Horserace, and S-Curve.
  • Sticky holes, ledges, boulder gardens, shallow rocky swim zones, and much stronger hydraulics as the County C gauge rises.
  • Rapid level changes after rain, cold water, remote-feeling banks, and the need to scout and portage features that exceed your group skills.

Check the data behind today's call.

Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.

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Gauge, thresholds, and timing

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

Gauge site Peshtigo River Near Wabeno, WI
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Target band 4.00 ft to 5.30 ft
Low threshold 3.60 ft
High threshold 7.00 ft
Data confidence behind the range Official and local sources
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Main source behind this score Wisconsin Trail Guide Peshtigo P5 Roaring Rapids suggested river levels
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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.

  • Route level bands 3.6 / 4.0-5.3 / 7.0 ft

    Wisconsin Trail Guide lists below 3.6 ft as not recommended, 3.6 to 4.0 ft as low runnable, 4.0 to 4.5 ft as low but enjoyable, 4.5 to 5.3 ft as medium runnable, 5.3 to 6.0 ft as medium-high, 6.0 to 7.0 ft as high runnable for advanced big-water paddlers, and above 7.0 ft as rare, unusually high flow.

    Source

  • Gauge fit USGS 04067958 at County C

    Wisconsin Trail Guide says the gauge corresponding with the Roaring Rapids chart is located in this segment and should accurately indicate river levels and conditions in the reach.

    Source

  • Official route Farm Dam Landing to Boat Landing #12

    Wisconsin DNR describes the short Roaring Rapids section from Farm Dam Landing to Boat Landing #12 as a skilled-paddler route with some of the most intense whitewater in the area, and says Boat Landing #12 has ample parking and an easy take-out.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinates 45.41351, -88.34615 to 45.38092, -88.30101

    Wisconsin Trail Guide maps Farm Dam Public Landing and WPS Landing #12 with NAD83/WGS84 coordinates and identifies both as developed landings with parking.

    Source

  • Whitewater corroboration AW reach 2305

    American Whitewater identifies the Roaring Rapids / Otter Creek-to-WPS Landing reach with the Peshtigo River near Wabeno gauge and describes the same class II-IV whitewater corridor.

    Source

  • Gauge metadata County C bridge gauge

    USGS places 04067958 on the Peshtigo River near Wabeno, 12 feet north of County Trunk Highway C and 50 feet from the river edge, matching the route-corridor gauge described by Wisconsin Trail Guide.

    Source

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Peshtigo River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Peshtigo River?

Paddle Today watches Peshtigo River Near Wabeno, WI and treats 4.00 ft to 5.30 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Peshtigo River route start and end?

This route starts at Farm Dam Public Landing and ends at WPS Landing #12, about 5.2 mi on the water.

Is this Peshtigo River route good for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.