RIVERWAY BOARD RESCHEDULES VOYAGEUR CANOE TRIPS
DUE TO HIGH WATER CONDITIONS

 The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board has shuffled the schedule for the annual guided canoe trips on the Wisconsin River as a result of cancellation of several trips due to high water creating unsafe paddling conditions.  Mark Cupp, Riverway Board Executive Director, who leads the excursions, said an occasional rescheduling of a trip is expected each year but, in 2024, the first two weeks of the schedule have been a literal “wash-out”.

 “We don’t expect water levels to be 4 or 5 times higher than normal flow for late June and early July when we plan these outings,” said Cupp, “so this is indeed unprecedented in the 20+ years the Riverway Board has been hosting the voyageur canoe trips. However, safety is paramount and when river levels are as high as this year, there is no choice but to cancel and reschedule.  Fortunately, we are able to pivot and add some trips to the end of our season to make up for lost opportunities at the front end of the season.”

While some trips may be full, the new schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, July 9^th  ~ 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ~ Muscoda to Port Andrew
Thursday, July 11^th ~12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ~ Muscoda to Port Andrew
Monday, July 15^th ~ 9:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ~ Port Andrew to Boscobel
Tuesday, July 16^th  ~ 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ~ Prairie du Sac to Mazomanie
Thursday, July 18^th  ~ 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  ~ Spring Green to Lone Rock
Tuesday, July 30^th   ~ 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  ~ Muscoda to Port Andrew   
Monday, August 5^th   ~ 9:00a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  ~ Gotham to Muscoda
Thursday, August 8^th  ~ 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  ~ Gotham to Muscoda

Water levels and weather permitting, a sandbar stop will be included in each trip.  Participants should bring their own beverages, food, sunscreen, and bug spray.  No glass containers are allowed.  Lifejackets and paddles will be provided but participants are welcome to bring their own personal flotation device.  Small groups may sign-up for the trips but should do so early to assure adequate space is available. Additional information may be found on the Riverway Board website or Facebook page.

To make a reservation or to ask questions about the canoe trips, contact the Riverway Board office Monday through Friday 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (608) 739-3188 or by emailing marsha.curtis@wi.gov.

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WELCOME

In 1989, Governor Tommy Thompson signed Wisconsin Act 31 which created the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. This historic action represented the culmination of years of planning and followed hundreds of hours of public meetings. The Riverway legislation was born from a compromise crafted by legislators from both political parties. The Riverway extends 92.3 miles from below the dam at Prairie du Sac to the confluence with the Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien and encompasses 95,893 acres. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for administering a land acquisition program within the project boundaries.

The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board, was created to administer the new law. The Board is composed of nine members of which six must be local residents or local elected officials from the affected counties (Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Grant, Iowa, Richland and Sauk). The agency administers a system of "performance standards" which are designed to protect the aesthetic integrity of the Riverway. Permits are required for structures, timber harvesting, utility facilities and other activities. A number of activities are now prohibited within the Riverway.

Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board
202 North Wisconsin Avenue
P.O. Box 187
Muscoda, Wisconsin  53573
Phone:  608-739-3188  FAX:  608-739-4263
Toll Free Phone:  1-800-221-3792
mark.cupp@wisconsin.gov