Pewaukee
Pewaukee (Koepp Village Park) to Waukesha (Frame Park) (up to 8.2 miles)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 8.2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 10 fpm |
| Gauge | Fox River at Waukesha, Wi |
| Flow Rate as of 22 minutes | 128 cfslow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 26, 2026 |
River Description
Quick Facts:
Location: City of Pewaukee to City of Waukesha
Put-in: 43.0835, -88.2617 (HC Koepp Village Park, Pewaukee)
Take-out: 43.0178, -88.2243 (Frame Park Rotary Building)
Shuttle Length: 6 miles/12 minutes.
Character: Split personality, from city to meandering swampy, passing under a freeway to become swift flowing with riffles and sharp turns to maneuver.
Put-in is approximately 840' elevation.
Take-out is approximately 815' elevation.
Thus total elevation change is approximately 25'.
General Overview
A local Kiwanis Club sponsors a race each spring (2024 was the 50th year), starting at Koepp Park in Pewaukee, ending at the Frame Park Rotary Building. If there is not adequate flow naturally occuring from other branches, reportedly they get releases from Pewaukee Lake via the dam. This event is a fundraiser with an entry fee ($32 or $40 per boat, conflicting info online for 2026). Reportedly, awards include one for the slowest boat to finish ... and claims are that 'Spotters will be present at the trickiest locations to assist if you tip over but will not actively prevent capsizing.' Info at: Kiwanis River Run
This run may be paired with (or either may be 'substituted for' the other) the listed run on the Fox River in Waukesha, which has it's put-in just downstream of the listed take-out for this reach.
River Features
Put In: HC Koepp Village Park
Some sources list using parking lots behind business on Wisconsin Avenue. These lots all have multiple signs indicating 'CUSTOMER PARKING ONLY', 'UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES WILL BE TICKETED/TOWED AT OWNERS EXPENSE'.
Why risk that, when almost immediately downstream, access is readily available at HC Koepp Village Park.
HOWEVER ... have a look at the bridge just downstream to check clearance! At high flows, you cannot get under it, and will have to opt for another put-in.
Drainage area at this point is 34.2 square miles. At the mouth (at the confluence with the Fox River), drainage has increased to 38.2 square miles.
Defunct Railroad Bridge
Just downstream of CTH.F/Redford Boulevard, a defunct railroad bridge is likely to be impassible when flows are anywhere above moderate for this stretch.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND SCOUTING THIS LOCATION BEFORE PUTTING ON. If this railroad bridge is impassable, it is recommended to just leave your 'drop' vehicle(s) at this point, to just take out here and walk to your vehicle(s).
The Kiwanis Club race (held each May, for 50 years as of 2024) continues downstream on the Fox to the Frame Park Rotary Building.
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