It has a flow of approximately 374 cfs and has a watershed of about 565 square miles. The river has been estimated to have a surface area of 267.3 acres, but it is unknown if that number includes the impoundments created by the dams or not. The approximate total number of acres of wetland areas is 5648 included in the riparian zone. Stream width is 100-200 feet. In general, the river runs very turbid, also reflecting intensive agricultural use of the watershed.
Aquatic vegetation is sparse.
The dominant sport fishery includes Northern Pike, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. Panfish are common, and rough and forage fish are abundant. Waterfowl hunting and canoeing are listed as important recreational functions. The 400 Trail is a 22-mile long trail that runs nearly adjacent to the Baraboo between Reedsburg and Elroy. It was built in June 1993 on the old Chicago Northwestern rail bed.