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Iowa | North Central Iowa
Cedar RiverBennett Access to Highway 9 Bridge
Upper Cedar River riffle run from Bennett Access to the Highway 9 Bridge west of Osage, passing Iron Springs, Falk Wildlife Area, timbered bluffs, and frequent shallow riffles.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Bennett Access and paddle the riffle-heavy upper Cedar section past Iron Springs and Falk Wildlife Area to the Highway 9 Bridge.
Access map
Put-in
Bennett AccessThe guide identifies Bennett and Highway 9 as access-pair anchors, but the Charles City gauge is downstream and must be paired with a local visual check.
Take-out
Highway 9 Bridge accessHighway 9 is a bridge access west of Osage. Confirm the practical landing and parking before launch.
Road shuttle
Stage at the Highway 9 Bridge access west of Osage, then launch from Bennett Access on River Road. Confirm parking and take-out footing at both ends.
Additional access notes
- Do not continue to Osage Spring Park unless that downstream shuttle and fish-riffle plan are also staged.
More route and safety guidance
- Highway 9 is the planned take-out. Confirm parking and the bridge access from land because the route is short and missing it compresses the Osage Spring plan.
- Watch for wood, bridge debris, fast rises after rain, and private banks along the upper Cedar corridor.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Cedar River at Charles City, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route and mileageBennett Access to Highway 9 Bridge, 2.7 mi
The guide lists Bennett Access to Highway 9 Bridge as 2.7 miles and publishes coordinates for both access points.
- Route characterIron Springs, Falk Wildlife Area, and riffles
The guide says Iron Springs is about a mile below Bennett on river left, Falk Wildlife Area rises on river right, and the river has a lot of riffles until Highway 9.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05457700 at 1,260 cfs / 3.85 ft
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Access corroborationBennett and Highway 9 named by guide and water-trail context
The Cedar River guide identifies Bennett Access by address and Highway 9 Bridge west of Osage as official access-pair anchors inside the Mitchell County Cedar River water-trail corridor.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
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