Peshtigo River
Marinette Co. · 30 mi · Class III–V
2,700CFS/ 5.55 ft
Optimal
Falling slowly (-30 cfs/hr)· -130 cfs in 3h
Water temp: 44°F — Hypothermia risk, wear a drysuit
Optimal: 800–3,000 CFS · USGS #04069500
Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
30 mi
Length
Class III–V
Difficulty
800–3,000 cfs
Optimal
1,400 cfs
Avg Flow
1,260 cfs
Hist. Median
#04069500
USGS Gauge
Marinette County Forest · Wisconsin Outstanding Resource Water

Wisconsin's most challenging whitewater river — the Roaring Rapids section delivers continuous Class IV–V through a remote granite gorge in the Marinette County forest. Five-Foot Falls, Horserace Rapids, and the infamous Terminal Surfer have tested expert paddlers for decades. The Peshtigo is also remembered for the 1871 Peshtigo Fire — the deadliest wildfire in American history, which killed over 1,500 people along the river valley.

Trip sections
Roaring Rapids section — 8 mi, Class IV–V, expert only
Caldron Falls to Johnson Falls — 12 mi, Class III–IV
Upper Peshtigo — farm country flatwater, Class I
Outfitters
Kosir's Rapid Rafts
Guided whitewater rafting on the Peshtigo and Menominee rivers
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.