River stage
Jefferson, Rock River
- River level
- 5.17 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.72 ft
- Recent high
- 6.09 ft
- Recent low
- 3.41 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS JFFW3
- 30-day change
- +0.98 ft
- Average
- 4.51 ft
- Readings
- 119
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 15.64 ft
In brief
The Rock River at Jefferson, WI read 5.17 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 2.83 ft below action stage. That is 0.98 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge JFFW3
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15.64 ft | 2008-06-19 |
| 2 | 12.84 ft | 1979-04-02 |
| 3 | 12.31 ft | 2013-04-20 |
| 4 | 12.29 ft | 1993-04-22 |
| 5 | 11.72 ft | 2018-09-08 |
| 6 | 11.69 ft | 2026-04-20 |
| 7 | 11.51 ft | 2004-06-02 |
| 8 | 11.50 ft | 2019-03-16 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 8.00 ft
Minor lowland flooding occurs.
- 9.00 ft
There is minor lowland flooding.
- 10.00 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.
- 11.00 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.
- 11.50 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.
- 12.00 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.
- 15.00 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.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Trout stocking on the Rock River
Wisconsin DNR stocked the Rock River 8 times in 2025, 31,350 fish in total. YELLOW PERCH and MUSKELLUNGE and SMALLMOUTH BASS and WALLEYE and FATHEAD MINNOW and BLACK CRAPPIE at LARGE FINGERLING and ADULT.
| Species | Fish | When |
|---|---|---|
| YELLOW PERCH | 1,500 | None |
| MUSKELLUNGE | 150 | None |
| SMALLMOUTH BASS | 1,200 | None |
| WALLEYE | 1,500 | None |
| FATHEAD MINNOW | 12,000 | None |
| BLACK CRAPPIE | 1,500 | None |
| FATHEAD MINNOW | 12,000 | None |
| BLACK CRAPPIE | 1,500 | None |
Wisconsin DNR lists a week or a month rather than a date, and counts fish as an estimate. Full Wisconsin stocking schedule →
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rock River flooding at Jefferson?
No. The Rock River at Jefferson is at 5.17 ft, 2.83 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Jefferson?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 8 ft, minor flooding 10 ft, moderate flooding 11 ft and major flooding 13 ft.
What is the highest the Rock River has been at Jefferson?
The highest crest on record is 15.64 ft, on 2008-06-19.
Is the Rock River high or low right now at Jefferson?
At 5.17 ft it is higher than 81% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge JFFW3); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05426031). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.