Prairie River near Merrill
Wisconsin — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Lincoln County, Wisconsin on the Prairie River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05394500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
11 ft
Moderate Flood
9 ft
Minor Flood
7 ft
Action Stage
4.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
11 ft
Several feet of water may be covering locations between 6th Street and 4th Street along the river in Merrill.
9 ft
Several feet of floodwaters cover a river walkway. The river current is fast.
7 ft
Widespread flooding of adjacent wooded lowland and agricultural land. A river walkway is flooded.
6 ft
Floodwaters cover parts of a river walkway in Merrill.
4.5 ft
There is minor flooding of wooded lowland.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 1941 | 9.45 ft | 5,800 cfs |
| Aug 30, 1941 | 9.45 ft | 5,800 cfs |
| Apr 14, 2023 | 7.82 ft | — |
| Apr 14, 2023 | 7.82 ft | — |
| Apr 12, 2011 | 7.62 ft | 2,550 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Prairie 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 Prairie River near Merrill?
The Prairie River near Merrill gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05394500) 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 Prairie River near Merrill?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Prairie River near Merrill is 7 feet. Action stage begins at 4.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 9 feet, and major flooding at 11 feet.
How do I get alerts when Prairie River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Prairie River near Merrill to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Prairie River near Merrill gauge located?
The gauge is located in Lincoln County, Wisconsin at coordinates 45.2358°N, 89.6497°W. USGS site number: 05394500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Stage may be affected by ice.