Major Flood
15 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
13.8 ft
Minor Flood
10 ft
Action Stage
7 ft
What Floods at Each Level
15 ft
About 8 feet of water is covering Lions park in Marathon City downstream of Rib Falls. Water is in the first level of many homes on River Road north of Marathon City.
13 ft
The water current is fast in the Rib Falls area. In Marathon City, several feet of water is covering Lions Park and water is surrounding homes near River Road north of Marathon City. Widespread lowland flooding is occurring downstream to western Wausau.
11.5 ft
Up to 2 feet of floodwater is covering parts of Lions Park.
10 ft
Flooding affects are mainly lowland areas downstream of Rib Falls toward Marathon City.
9 ft
There is minor flooding of lowland downstream between Rib Falls and Marathon City. There is minor flooding in Lions Park in Marathon City.
7 ft
There is minor lowland flooding.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 1938 | 16.2 ft | 23,800 cfs |
| Sep 24, 2010 | 15.15 ft | 20,134 cfs |
| Jun 15, 1990 | 14.87 ft | — |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
RIBW3
River
Big Rib River
County
Marathon, WI
Coordinates
44.9725°N, 89.9056°W
Get Flood Alerts for Big Rib River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Big Rib River at Rib Falls?
The Big Rib River at Rib Falls gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05396000) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Big Rib River at Rib Falls?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Rib River at Rib Falls is 10 feet. Action stage begins at 7 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 13.8 feet, and major flooding at 15 feet.
How do I get alerts when Big Rib River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Big Rib River at Rib Falls to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Big Rib River at Rib Falls gauge located?
The gauge is located in Marathon County, Wisconsin at coordinates 44.9725°N, 89.9056°W. USGS site number: 05396000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
Downstream: Wisconsin River below Wausau Dam
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Stage may be affected by ice.