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 location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
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
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
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.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Franck Park (Access 15), HudsonAccess coordinates were geocoded from public map data, not an official access GIS record.
Take-out
Ranchero Road / Katoski Greenbelt (Access 8), WaterlooThis is a skilled-creek call. Fresh storm damage can make a known access pair unusable even when the gauge is in range.
Plan this segment
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.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
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 |
| Evidence strength 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
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
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.