Rock River at Jefferson
Wisconsin — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Jefferson County, Wisconsin on the Rock River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05426031, 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
13 ft
Moderate Flood
11 ft
7,000 cfs
Minor Flood
10 ft
5,763 cfs
Action Stage
8 ft
3,840 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
15 ft
Floodwaters cut the City of Jefferson in half. The Main Street and Wisconsin Drive bridges are closed to traffic due to flooding around the bridges. Main St and Hwy 26 intersection closed. S Center Ave near river flooded. Riverview Dr flooded.
12 ft
Riverview Drive is closed due to floodwaters on the road. The Tensfeldt Park boat launch is closed. Intersection of S Main St and E Dane St is closed, and S Center Ave. Floodwaters affect highway K between Jefferson and Fort Atkinson. River's Edge Park flooded.
11.5 ft
Floodwaters affect Highway K between Jefferson and Fort Atkinson. Floodwaters affect some low lying residences and businesses in Jefferson. Water on road at Hwy 26 (Main St) and Hwy N (E Dane St) and S Center Ave. Riverview Drive near the wastewater plant is flooded and closed.
11 ft
Floodwaters affect low lying areas of residential and business property in Jefferson. Water approaches the intersection of Highway 26 (Main St) and County Road N (E Dane St). S Center Ave near the river flooded and Riverview Drive near the wastewater plant flooded. Park is flooded. The retention pond at S Main St and E Dane St is full.
10 ft
Water affects low lying areas of residential property in the City of Jefferson. Rock River Park and boat launch is affected near Hwy B in Johnson Creek. Goat Island is flooded.
9 ft
There is minor lowland flooding.
8 ft
Minor lowland flooding occurs.
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 19, 2008 | 15.64 ft | — |
| Jun 19, 2008 | 15.64 ft | — |
| Apr 1, 1979 | 12.84 ft | 10,300 cfs |
| Apr 1, 1979 | 12.84 ft | 10,300 cfs |
| Apr 20, 2013 | 12.31 ft | — |
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 Jefferson?
The Rock River at Jefferson gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05426031) 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 Jefferson?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rock River at Jefferson is 10 feet. Action stage begins at 8 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 11 feet, and major flooding at 13 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson gauge located?
The gauge is located in Jefferson County, Wisconsin at coordinates 42.9961°N, 88.8069°W. USGS site number: 05426031. 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.