08/12/2026
Why is the water so low around 1000 Islands?
If you've noticed lower water levels around 1000 Islands lately, you're not alone! While it may look unusual, it's actually pretty typical for this time of year.
The waterway next to 1000 Islands isn't the Fox River's main channel. It's a bypass channel, while the deepest part of the river flows behind the islands. Because of that, water levels near the Nature Center and Conservancy Zone tend to drop more noticeably during dry periods and rise quickly during spring snowmelt or other high-water events.
Water levels throughout the Fox River system are also managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During the summer, they work to maintain Lake Winnebago at a target level and adjust dam gates as needed based on conditions across the system.
Right now, we're experiencing low-water conditions due to the dry weather, but that's not unusual for August. While the landscape may look a little different than what you're used to seeing, these water levels are generally what we'd expect during a dry late-summer season.
For up-to-date river flow information, visit the Kaukauna Utilities website. https://www.kaukaunautilities.com/resources/boater-flows/
