River stage
Merrill, Wisconsin River
- River level
- 3.86 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.09 ft
- Recent high
- 6.08 ft
- Recent low
- 3.66 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS RRLW3
- 30-day change
- -0.06 ft
- Average
- 4.28 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 18.26 ft
In brief
The Wisconsin River at Merrill, WI read 3.86 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 6.14 ft below action stage. That is 0.06 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge RRLW3
At this level: Submerged rocks and structures may become more hazardous to boaters over more sections of the river.
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18.26 ft | 1941-08-31 |
| 2 | 17.50 ft | 1912-07-24 |
| 3 | 13.85 ft | 1942-09-18 |
| 4 | 13.28 ft | 2023-04-14 |
| 5 | 13.23 ft | 2011-04-11 |
| 6 | 13.04 ft | 1967-04-02 |
| 7 | 12.95 ft | 1996-04-21 |
| 8 | 12.71 ft | 1997-04-06 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 3.50 ft
Submerged rocks and structures may become more hazardous to boaters over more sections of the river.
- 10.00 ft
There is minor lowland flooding.
- 11.00 ft
Flooding mainly affects Merrill area parks and agricultural land.
- 13.00 ft
Several feet of water may be covering area parks and lowland in Merrill. Floodwaters reach the base of the river gauging station.
- 16.00 ft
The west approach to the highway 64 bridge becomes flooded.
- 18.00 ft
The Merrill sewage disposal plant, area parks and lowland are flooded. The western approach of Highway 64 bridge is covered with floodwaters.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Wisconsin River flooding at Merrill?
No. The Wisconsin River at Merrill is at 3.86 ft, 6.14 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Merrill?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 10 ft, minor flooding 11 ft, moderate flooding 13.5 ft and major flooding 15 ft.
What is the highest the Wisconsin River has been at Merrill?
The highest crest on record is 18.26 ft, on 1941-08-31.
Is the Wisconsin River high or low right now at Merrill?
At 3.86 ft it is higher than 16% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge RRLW3); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05395000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.