Wisconsin River at Portage
Wisconsin — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Columbia County, Wisconsin on the Wisconsin River. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: PORW3). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
19 ft
46,370 cfs
Moderate Flood
18 ft
38,655 cfs
Minor Flood
17 ft
30,998 cfs
Action Stage
12.7 ft
12,763 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
22 ft
Water impacts Highway 51 south of Portage, Indian Trail in Lake Delton. Other roads that are flooded are River Oaks Road in the Town of Dekorra, River Shores Road in the Town of Lewiston, Levee Road, Parkway Dr, Ruemann Rd, Cty V, Cty U Cty J, Summit St, Carroll st, Conant St, Caledonia St, Wood Street, Prospect Ave, Pleasant St and Thunderbird Road in the Portage area. Water may hit Duck Creek bridge or impact the shoulders of the bridge.
21.5 ft
Water impacts Highway 51 south of Portage, Indian Trail in Lake Delton. Other roads that are flooded are River Oaks Road in the Town of Dekorra, River Shores Road in the Town of Lewiston, Levee Road, Parkway Dr, Ruemann Rd, Cty V, Cty U Cty J, Summit St, Carroll st, Conant St, Caledonia St, Wood Street, Prospect Ave, Pleasant St and Thunderbird Road in the Portage area. Water may hit Duck Creek bridge or impact the shoulders of the bridge.
21 ft
Water impacts Highway 51 south of Portage, Indian Trail in Lake Delton. Other roads that are flooded are River Oaks Road in the Town of Dekorra, River Shores Road in the Town of Lewiston, Levee Road, Parkway Dr, Ruemann Rd, Cty V, Cty U Cty J, Summit St, Carroll st, Conant St, Caledonia St, Wood Street, Prospect Ave, Pleasant St and Thunderbird Road in the Portage area. Water may hit Duck Creek bridge or impact the shoulders of the bridge.
20.5 ft
Indian trail in Lake Delton area is flooded. Other roads that are flooded are River Oaks Road in the Town of Dekorra, River Shores Road in the Town of Lewiston, Levee Road, Cty V, Cty J, Wood Street, Summit St, Carroll, Conant St, Cty JV, and parts of Thunderbird Road in the Portage area. Water up to Hwy 51 bridge over Duck Creek. Water approaches cabins near river along Levee Rd, River Shores Rd, River Mills Rd.
20 ft
Sunset Point-Conant St underwater. Floodwaters affect homes in the Blackhawk Park area as well as River Oaks Road in the Town of Dekorra, River Shores Road in the Town of Lewiston, Cty V, Cty J and Levee Road in the Portage area. Water is over Thunderbird Road. Water approaches cabins near river along Levee Rd, River Shores Rd, River Mills Rd.
19.5 ft
Waters over a low spot on Thunderbird Road. Water comes up through ground at Sunset and Franklin and approaches road. Floodwaters affect River Shores Road in the Town of Lewiston, Cty V, Cty J, River Oaks Road in the Town of Dekorra, and Levee Road in the Portage area, and numerous roads in the Blackhawk Park area about 3 miles south of Portage. Some water on Summit St near boat landing. Water over Conant St and Carroll St.
19 ft
There is 1 foot of water over a low section of County Highway V in Dekorra. Floodwaters affect River Oaks Road and River Shores Road (Lewiston Township) as well as numerous roads in the Blackhawk Park area about 3 miles south of Portage. Water up to edge of Wood St before town line.
18.5 ft
Floodwaters affect River Shores Road about 3 miles upstream of Portage in the Town of Lewiston and River Oaks Road about 7 miles downstream of Portage in the Town of Dekorra in Columbia County. Water over Levee Rd and Tritz Rd. There is widespread flooding of roads in the Blackhawk Park Area including West Lake Road and Blackhawk Road. The Blackhawk Park area is on the south side of the river about 3 miles south of Portage.
18 ft
Water surrounds seasonal homes along Old River Rd in the Blackhawk Park area including water at the base of Caledonia/Lewiston Levee on Old River Rd. Old River Rd, W Lake Rd, Sec K Rd, Blackhawk Rd covered with water. West Lane Rd in Long Lake area has 4 feet of water over it in places. In the Town of Dekorra, about 12 homes are flooded on Hwy V. Water over River Oaks Rd and Oak Knoll Dr near Hwy V.
17.5 ft
In the Blackhawk Park area in the Town of Caledonia, Old River Road is closed with water over it. West Lane Road in the Long Lake area is closed with about 4 feet of water over it in places. County Highway V and Oak Knoll Dr in the Town of Dekorra have water up to the edge of the pavement. A few homes in the Town of Dekorra area near the river have water in the first floor and there is also flooding of outbuildings and yards.
17 ft
Water is near homes in the Blackhawk Park area of Portage on the south side of the river along Old River Road. Floodwaters are over West Lake Road, West Lane Rd, and Blackhawk Road in the Blackhawk Park area.
16 ft
There is lowland flooding mainly in the Blackhawk Park area on the south side of the river. In the Blackhawk Park area...floodwaters about 40 inches deep flow over parts of West Lake Road and Blackhawk Road.
15 ft
There is minor lowland flooding mainly in the Blackhawk Park area on the south side of the river. In the Blackhawk Park area...floodwaters are about 28 inches deep over parts of West Lake Road and Blackhawk Road. West Lane Road and Old River Road are underwater.
14 ft
There are about 15 inches of water running over parts of West Lake Road and Blackhawk Road in the Blackhawk Park area. The boat landing on West Lake Road is flooded.
13.5 ft
There about 11 inches of water over parts of West Lake Road and Blackhawk Road in the Blackhawk Park area on the south side of the river about 3 miles south of Portage. The boat landing on West Lake Raod is flooded.
12.7 ft
There are about 3 inches of water running over 2 spots of West Lake Road and Blackhawk Road in the Blackhawk Park area on the south side of the river about 3 miles south of Portage. The boat landing on West Lake Road is starting to get some water on it.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2010 | 20.66 ft | 67,490 cfs |
| Sep 27, 2010 | 20.66 ft | 67,490 cfs |
| Sep 13, 1938 | 20.5 ft | 56,400 cfs |
| Sep 13, 1938 | 20.5 ft | 56,400 cfs |
| Apr 17, 2026 | 20.47 ft | 58,049 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
NWS LID
PORW3
River
Wisconsin River
County
Columbia, WI
Coordinates
43.5363°N, 89.4738°W
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Wisconsin River at Portage?
The Wisconsin River at Portage gauge is maintained by USGS 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 Wisconsin River at Portage?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Wisconsin River at Portage is 17 feet. Action stage begins at 12.7 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 18 feet, and major flooding at 19 feet.
How do I get alerts when Wisconsin River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Wisconsin River at Portage 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 Wisconsin River at Portage gauge located?
The gauge is located in Columbia County, Wisconsin at coordinates 43.5363°N, 89.4738°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: NWS, City/Portage, Columbia Co.
- 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.