Rock River at Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Jefferson County, Wisconsin on the Rock River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05427085, 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
18 ft
12,900 cfs
Moderate Flood
17 ft
10,700 cfs
Minor Flood
16 ft
8,600 cfs
Action Stage
14.5 ft
5,684 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
20 ft
Numerous roads are flooded: Highway 106 and North Shore Road southwest of Fort Atkinson, Sinnissippi Dr, Fox Hill Rd, Bark River Rd from Kutz Rd to Rock River Rd, Ralph Rd, etc. Water may cover Hwy 106 east of city. Rock River Road is flooded. Water surrounds some homes and businesses near the river along Highway 106 and at the end of Vets Lane near the intersection of Highway 106 and Blackhawk Island Road. There is widespread agricultural land flooding east of Fort Atkinson along Highway 106.
18.5 ft
Numerous roads are flooded and closed in the Fort Atkinson area, including Rock River Road about 1 mile east of Fort Atkinson, Sinnissipi Drive, Ralph Rd, Bark River Road from Kutz Road to Rock River Road. Water surrounds some homes and businesses close to the river at the end of Vets Lane southwest of Fort Atkinson near the intersection of Highway 106 and Blackhawk Island Road.
17.5 ft
Floodwaters partially cover low spots on Highway 106 near Rock River Park. A riverside walkway near South Water Street in downtown Fort Atkinson is closed. A few homes and businesses are surrounded by water at the end of Vets lane near the intersection of Highway 106 and Blackhawk Island Road about 1 mile southwest of Fort Atkinson. North Shore Road about 1 mile southwest of Fort Atkinson is closed. Ralph Rd impacted. Floodwaters cover fields on the east side of Fort Atkinson.
17 ft
Water surrounds a few homes and business at the end of Vets Lane and Rock River Rd. Flooded roads: Sinissippi Drive, Vets Ln, Fox Hill Rd, Bark River Road from Kutz Road to Rock River Road, Rock River Rd from Milwaukee Ave E to Hwy 106, North Shore Rd, Ralph Rd. The river walkway in Fort Atkinson, Mechanic St boat launch, parking lot of Purdy St, yards along E Milwaukee Ave, yards northern end of Rock River Rd, yards on Rodgers St flood. Water backs up Bark River into Nature Park and parking lot.
16.5 ft
In the Fort Atkinson area, the following roads are impacted: Sinnissippi Drive, Bark River Road from Kutz Road to Rock River Road and E Milwaukee Ave, and Rock River Road from Highway 106 to the Fort Atkinson city limits. Water is in park land near the river in Fort Atkinson.
16 ft
Floodwaters affect some park land and boat launches.
14.5 ft
Water overflows the lowest river banks in Fort Atkinson flooding low lying land adjacent to the river.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 14, 2008 | 20.9 ft | 15,100 cfs |
| Jun 14, 2008 | 20.9 ft | 15,100 cfs |
| Apr 22, 2013 | 18.12 ft | 13,173 cfs |
| Apr 22, 2013 | 18.12 ft | 13,173 cfs |
| Apr 20, 2026 | 17.4 ft | 11,674 cfs |
Flood Inundation Map
NOAA has mapped what areas flood at different water levels for this gauge. View the interactive flood inundation map →
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Rock 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 Rock River at Fort Atkinson?
The Rock River at Fort Atkinson gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05427085) 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 Rock River at Fort Atkinson?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rock River at Fort Atkinson is 16 feet. Action stage begins at 14.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 17 feet, and major flooding at 18 feet.
How do I get alerts when Rock River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Rock River at Fort Atkinson 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 Rock River at Fort Atkinson gauge located?
The gauge is located in Jefferson County, Wisconsin at coordinates 42.9278°N, 88.8425°W. USGS site number: 05427085. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.