River stage
Watertown, Rock River
- River level
- 2.49 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.36 ft
- Recent high
- 3.20 ft
- Recent low
- 1.13 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS WATW3
- 30-day change
- +0.52 ft
- Average
- 2.00 ft
- Readings
- 120
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 7.81 ft
In brief
The Rock River at Watertown, WI read 2.49 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 1.51 ft below action stage. That is 0.52 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge WATW3
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7.81 ft | 2008-06-13 |
| 2 | 6.96 ft | 1997-01-17 |
| 3 | 6.32 ft | 1959-04-04 |
| 4 | 6.27 ft | 2013-04-18 |
| 5 | 6.19 ft | 1979-03-31 |
| 6 | 6.17 ft | 2018-09-09 |
| 7 | 6.09 ft | 2004-06-12 |
| 8 | 6.03 ft | 1993-04-20 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 4.00 ft
There is minor lowland flooding in rural areas around Watertown. Flood waters start to affect Wayside park on Highway 16 as well as Kanow Park on Rock River Road about 6 miles upstream near Ixonia.
- 5.00 ft
There is minor lowland flooding in rural areas around Watertown. About 6 miles upstream near Ixonia, Wayside Park along Hwy 16 ais flooded, water impacts Rock River Road and Kanow Park near Highway 16 is flooded.
- 5.50 ft
There is widespread lowland flooding in rural areas around Watertown. About 6 miles upstream near Ixonia, Wayside park along Highway 16 and Kanow Park are flooded and Rock River Road is impacted.
- 6.00 ft
Water nears some streets in Watertown. Water is in Riverside Park in Watertown. About 6 miles upstream near Ixonia, Wayside park on Highway 16, and Kanow Park is flooded. Rock River Road near Highway 16 is flooded.
- 6.50 ft
Floodwaters affect some streets in Watertown. Water is in Riverside Park. About 6 miles upstream near Ixonia, Wayside park along Highway 16 and Kanow Park is flooded. Rock River Road near Highway 16 is flooded. Water approaches structures at end of Riverview Rd. Water impacts the end of Willow St.
- 7.00 ft
Floodwaters affect some streets in Watertown. Riverside Park is flooded. About 6 miles upstream near Ixonia, Wayside park along Highway 16 and Kanow Park are flooded. Rock River Road near Highway 16 is flooded. Water impacts structures at end of Riverview Rd. Water may impact Riverdale Circle.
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 Watertown?
No. The Rock River at Watertown is at 2.49 ft, 1.51 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Watertown?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 4 ft, minor flooding 5.5 ft, moderate flooding 6 ft and major flooding 6.5 ft.
What is the highest the Rock River has been at Watertown?
The highest crest on record is 7.81 ft, on 2008-06-13.
Is the Rock River high or low right now at Watertown?
At 2.49 ft it is higher than 78% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge WATW3); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05425500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.