River stage
Franklin, Root River
- River level
- 2.26 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.46 ft
- Recent high
- 7.06 ft
- Recent low
- 1.73 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS FRKW3
- 30-day change
- +0.41 ft
- Average
- 2.60 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 11.71 ft
In brief
The Root River at Franklin, WI read 2.26 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 4.74 ft below action stage. That is 0.41 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge FRKW3
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11.71 ft | 2025-08-10 |
| 2 | 11.00 ft | 2008-06-08 |
| 3 | 10.51 ft | 2010-07-23 |
| 4 | 9.57 ft | 1960-03-30 |
| 5 | 9.48 ft | 2020-05-18 |
| 6 | 9.43 ft | 2000-07-03 |
| 7 | 9.32 ft | 2009-06-20 |
| 8 | 9.31 ft | 1973-04-21 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 7.00 ft
There is minor flooding to agricultural land.
- 8.00 ft
A low spot on Oakwood Road is flooded. E County Line Rd floods near Nicholson Rd. Some yards along the river flood.
- 9.00 ft
Portions of the Root River Parkway are flooded. Oakwood Road near S 60th is flooded. Some yards along the river are flooded.
- 9.50 ft
Oakwood Road near S 60th is flooded. Water approaches 8 Mile Rd and 27th St. Nicholson Rd may be flooded. Some yards along the river are flooded. Portions of Root River Parkway are flooded.
- 10.50 ft
Nicholson Rd, Drexel, S Howell Ave, S 60th and Oakwood Rd, 8 Mile Rd and 27th St flood. Portions of Root River Parkway are flooded. Yards along the river are flooded.
- 11.00 ft
Nicholson Rd, Drexel, S Howell Ave, S 60th and Oakwood Rd, 8 Mile Rd and 27th St and Root River Parkway are flooded. Water approaches Ryan Rd. Yards along the river are flooded.
- 12.00 ft
Nicholson Rd, Drexel, S Howell Ave, S 60th and Oakwood Rd, 8 Mile Rd and 27th St, Root River Parkway and Ryan Rd are flooded. Yards along the river are flooded.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Root River flooding at Franklin?
No. The Root River at Franklin is at 2.26 ft, 4.74 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Franklin?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 7 ft, minor flooding 8 ft, moderate flooding 10 ft and major flooding 12 ft.
What is the highest the Root River has been at Franklin?
The highest crest on record is 11.71 ft, on 2025-08-10.
Is the Root River high or low right now at Franklin?
At 2.26 ft it is higher than 45% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge FRKW3); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 04087220). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.