See all 2 routes on Black Hawk Creek
Iowa | Cedar Valley
Black Hawk Creek
Franck Park to Ranchero Road
Check current paddling conditions for this Black Hawk Creek route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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Today
Get the answer fast, then scan the route.
Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Use Franck Park (Access 15) as the put-in and Ranchero Road / Katoski Greenbelt (Access 8) as the take-out. Treat the official 100 to 500 cfs band as necessary, not sufficient.
Put-in
Franck Park (Access 15), HudsonOpen mapAccess coordinates were geocoded from public map data, not an official access GIS record.
Take-out
Ranchero Road / Katoski Greenbelt (Access 8), WaterlooOpen mapThis is a skilled-creek call. Fresh storm damage can make a known access pair unusable even when the gauge is in range.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Access coordinates were geocoded from public map data, not an official access GIS record.
- This is a skilled-creek call. Fresh storm damage can make a known access pair unusable even when the gauge is in range.
Watch for
- Strainers, sweepers, deadfalls, and logjams are common.
- Two fords can behave like low-head dam hazards at certain water levels.
- Be ready to scout and portage around fresh wood.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
No approved route photos yet
Start the gallery with shots of the access, river character, or any detail that helps paddlers know what this run actually looks like.
Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Black Hawk Creek at Hudson, IA |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 100 cfs to 500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 500 cfs |
| Data confidence behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Iowa DNR Black Hawk Creek Water Trail brochure |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Published flow range100 to 500 cfs
Iowa DNR publishes this as the recommended range for safe and enjoyable paddling at the Hudson gauge.
- DifficultyHard
The brochure explicitly says this is not the best choice for novice paddlers.
- Primary hazardsWood, strainers, and portages
The official water-trail brochure calls out frequent deadfalls, strainers, and two fords that can behave like low-head dam hazards.
- Decision styleConservative
A good gauge reading does not erase fresh storm damage. If you cannot scout and portage confidently, skip it.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.
Share your trip
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More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Black Hawk Creek paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Black Hawk Creek?
Paddle Today watches Black Hawk Creek at Hudson, IA and treats 100 cfs to 500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Black Hawk Creek route start and end?
This route starts at Franck Park (Access 15), Hudson and ends at Ranchero Road / Katoski Greenbelt (Access 8), Waterloo, about 7.5 mi on the water.
Is this Black Hawk Creek route good for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.