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Iowa | Southeast Iowa
Cedar River
Jack Shuger Memorial Park, Moscow to Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area
Check current paddling conditions for this Cedar River 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
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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
A county-supported Cedar River day float with developed ramps at both ends, a documented shuttle option, and camping at Saulsbury.
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
Jack Shuger Memorial Park boat ramp, MoscowJack Shuger is a developed county park with a heavily used Cedar River ramp; use the marked ramp and obey the 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. operating window.
Take-out
Saulsbury Bridge Recreation AreaSaulsbury is the named public finish and campground. Confirm reservation, gate, and seasonal facility status before committing to an overnight plan.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Jack Shuger is a developed county park with a heavily used Cedar River ramp; use the marked ramp and obey the 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. operating window.
- Saulsbury is the named public finish and campground. Confirm reservation, gate, and seasonal facility status before committing to an overnight plan.
- Endpoint coordinates are public-address anchors rather than survey-grade water-edge points; walk the ramp and landing before launching.
- The county's 6–10 ft guidance is an operating range for rentals, not a guarantee that every local obstruction or weather condition is safe.
Watch for
- Strainers, floating debris, and bridge approaches after rain or rising water.
- Fast current and difficult landings above the county's 10 ft guidance; shallow or dragging conditions below 6 ft.
- Private banks and limited intermediate exits; stay within the named public access corridor.
- Cold water, wind exposure, and changing floodplain conditions even when the gauge is inside the operating range.
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 | Cedar River near Conesville, IA |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | 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 | 6.00 ft to 10.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 6.00 ft |
| High threshold | 10.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Muscatine County Cedar River canoe-trip operating guidance |
| 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.
- Route and shuttleApproximately 9 river miles; Jack Shuger to Saulsbury
Muscatine County Conservation describes canoe trips from Jack Shuger Memorial Park in Moscow to Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area and provides a county shuttle for groups.
- Public put-inJack Shuger Memorial Park, 1515 Cedar Street, Moscow
Muscatine County lists a heavily used Cedar River boat ramp, restrooms, shelter, and park hours.
- Public take-out and campingSaulsbury Bridge Recreation Area, 2007 Saulsbury Road
The county float guide identifies Saulsbury as the finish and documents camping and restrooms at the endpoint.
- Gauge operating range6–10 ft stage at USGS 05465000 near Conesville
Muscatine County says rentals are typically not offered when the Conesville gauge is below 6 ft or above 10 ft. This is a local operating threshold, not an official safety certification.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 05465000 Cedar River near Conesville
USGS provides discharge and gage-height telemetry for the Cedar River corridor; check same-day conditions before launch.
- Image decisionNo third-party image bundled
The route uses linked county, Iowa DNR, and USGS sources without copying an unlicensed promotional image.
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.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
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Quick answers
Cedar River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Cedar River?
Paddle Today watches Cedar River near Conesville, IA and treats 6.00 ft to 10.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Cedar River route start and end?
This route starts at Jack Shuger Memorial Park boat ramp, Moscow and ends at Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area, about Approximately 9 river miles on the water.
Is this Cedar River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
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