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Iowa | Cedar Valley
Cedar River
Three Rivers Park to Kohlmann Park portage take-out
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
Use this as the upstream approach from Three Rivers Park to the Kohlmann Park portage take-out above the Waverly dam. It is short, but the take-out is mandatory and should be scouted from land.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Three Rivers Park boat rampKohlmann Park is described by the guide as the common dam-portage take-out, not an official access. Confirm the landing, current, and carry path before launching.
Take-out
Kohlmann Park portage take-outDo not pass the Kohlmann take-out or paddle toward the dam. Stand down if high water, debris, or crowding makes the landing uncertain.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Kohlmann Park is described by the guide as the common dam-portage take-out, not an official access. Confirm the landing, current, and carry path before launching.
- Do not pass the Kohlmann take-out or paddle toward the dam. Stand down if high water, debris, or crowding makes the landing uncertain.
- Three Rivers has a double ramp and dock, but the downstream endpoint is a portage landing rather than a routine ramp take-out.
Watch for
- Mandatory take-out above the Waverly dam on river right.
- Short decision window, urban debris, slippery banks, and fast current at higher stages.
- Pedestrian and park traffic around downtown Waverly.
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 at Waverly, 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 |
| Ideal range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 200 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Cedar River Paddling Trips Waverly gauge 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 shape1.3 miles
The Cedar River Paddling Trips guide lists Three Rivers Park as 1.3 miles upstream of Kohlmann Park.
- Mandatory portage contextKohlmann Park take-out, portage dam on right
The guide says Kohlmann Park is the most commonly used take-out to portage the dam, while also noting that it does not have an official access.
- Current gauge check2,400 cfs / 5.08 ft at 2026-07-23 12:15 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Cedar River at Waverly discharge and stage during this run.
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
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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 at Waverly, IA and uses 200 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Cedar River route start and end?
This route starts at Three Rivers Park boat ramp and ends at Kohlmann Park portage take-out, about 1.3 mi 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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