See all 25 routes on Cedar River
Iowa | Cedar Rapids Area
Cedar RiverChain Lakes / Palo to Ellis Harbor
Lower Cedar River day from the Chain Lakes / Palo access corridor into Cedar Rapids, with a direct Cedar Rapids gauge and a mandatory urban take-out before downstream dams.
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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 from the Chain Lakes / Palo access corridor and take out at Ellis Harbor for a lower Cedar River run into Cedar Rapids. Use the Cedar Rapids gauge and keep the finish disciplined before the downstream urban dam corridor.
Access map
Put-in
Chain Lakes / Palo boat landingChain Lakes Natural Area and the Chain Lakes Bridge corridor support the Palo-area public boat-landing context, but same-day water depth near Chain Lakes can vary.
Take-out
Ellis Harbor public boat launchEllis Harbor is a City of Cedar Rapids public boat launch with restrooms, but closures can occur during high-water events.
Road shuttle
Stage Ellis Harbor first, then drive back to Chain Lakes / Palo. Check Cedar Rapids ramp status before launching because city boat ramps can close during high water.
Additional access notes
- This route intentionally ends at Ellis Harbor. Do not continue toward downtown dams or flood-control work without a separate local plan.
More route and safety guidance
- The lower Cedar is broad and exposed. Wind, motorboats, high water, floating debris, and bridge current can all matter more than the flatwater label suggests.
- City boat ramps can close during high water. Confirm Cedar Rapids ramp status before launching from Chain Lakes.
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Tomorrow and the weekend
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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 Cedar Rapids, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Cedar River at Cedar Rapids, 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 |
| Preferred range | 500 cfs to 8,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 500 cfs |
| High threshold | 8,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | CanWePaddle Palo to Cedar Rapids estimated range |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-228,400 cfs / 5.87 ft at 2026-07-22 20:00 CDT
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.
- Threshold range500-8,000 cfs
CanWePaddle ties the Palo-to-Cedar-Rapids section to USGS 05464500 and estimates a 500 to 8,000 cfs runnable window, with high-caution messaging above the comfortable range.
- Route shape14 miles / about 5 hours
CanWePaddle identifies Palo to Cedar Rapids as a 14-mile lower Cedar River flatwater route.
- Put-in supportChain Lakes / Palo boat landing
Linn County documents Chain Lakes Natural Area at Palo, and Iowa DOT describes the Chain Lakes Bridge area as having a picnic area and boat landing near the bridge approach.
- Take-out supportEllis Harbor public boat launch
The City identifies Ellis Harbor as a public boat launch with restrooms. Iowa DNR's mapped coordinate marks the access area; confirm the signed launch and water entry on arrival.
- Take-out coordinate42.00585924, -91.69535108
Iowa DNR's Ellis Harbor record identifies the named harbor at this coordinate; treat it as the public harbor/launch-area pin rather than a survey of the exact ramp lip.
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
More on Cedar River
All 25Nearby routes within 75 miles
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