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See all 7 routes on Cottonwood River

Minnesota | Southern Minnesota

Cottonwood River

County Road 11 to Flandrau State Park

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Today

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Today's conditions

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Quick facts

On-water distanceAbout 11.1 miCounty Road 11 to Flandrau State Park
DifficultymoderateThe reach has no major rapids in DNR’s water-trail description, but it is about 11 miles, has fewer formal exits than the upstream connectors, and depends on clean wood and suitable water before reaching the state-park finish.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the Flandrau State Park access first, confirm current park entry and parking rules, then launch from County Road 11. Set a conservative turn-back decision at the put-in because formal exits are sparse before the park.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow Minnesota boating/PFD rules and obey all Flandrau State Park permits, camping reservations, watercraft-campsite rules, and posted closures.
CampingOptions nearbyFlandrau State Park is the selected overnight support. MN DNR Map 4 shows park camping, water, toilets, and a watercraft campsite at river mile 5.7; use designated sites only and confirm current park availability before counting on an overnight.
SeasonApr-OctSpring and rain-fed windows are most reliable. The lower Cottonwood can become scrape-prone in summer lows and reacts quickly to storm runoff, so use the interpreted band with launch-site inspection.

Plan

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Access plan

Access, shuttle, and map

Launch at County Road 11 and finish at Flandrau State Park for the lower Cottonwood reach immediately above New Ulm. The New Ulm DNR gauge was below the official scrapable floor during this run, so current conditions may require waiting for rain-fed recovery.

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Start

Put-in

Cottonwood River, Co Rd 11 Public Water Access SiteOpen map

MN DNR Map 4 places County Road 11 at river mile 16.8 and Flandrau State Park camping/access context from river mile 6.5 to 4.0, with a watercraft campsite at river mile 5.7.

Finish

Take-out

Cottonwood River, Flandrau State Park Public Water Access SiteOpen map

Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves County Road 11 as WAS01424 and Flandrau State Park as WAS02651; the Flandrau access lists carry-in launch, parking, and restroom context.

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • MN DNR Map 4 places County Road 11 at river mile 16.8 and Flandrau State Park camping/access context from river mile 6.5 to 4.0, with a watercraft campsite at river mile 5.7.
  • Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves County Road 11 as WAS01424 and Flandrau State Park as WAS02651; the Flandrau access lists carry-in launch, parking, and restroom context.
  • The New Ulm DNR gauge is downstream near the lower Cottonwood corridor. Use it as the closest official interpreted lower-river check, then verify depth and access footing at County Road 11 and Flandrau.

Watch for

  • Scrapable low water when the New Ulm gauge is below 150 cfs, plus shallow bars and possible dragging before the park.
  • Strainers, fresh wood, muddy banks, private shoreland, and fast rises after thunderstorms.
  • State-park rule changes, campsite availability, high-water closures, and limited legal bailout options before the Flandrau access.

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Sources

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OutlookTomorrow and weekend

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Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteCottonwood River nr New Ulm, MN68
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Target band250 cfs to 870 cfs
Low threshold150 cfs
High threshold2,190 cfs
Data confidence behind the rangeOfficial data source
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Main source behind this scoreMN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Cottonwood River near New Ulm
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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 milepointsCounty Road 11 RM 16.8 to Flandrau RM 5.7

    MN DNR Map 4 maps County Road 11 and the Flandrau State Park watercraft campsite / access sequence on the Cottonwood River.

    Source

  • Public access recordsWAS01424 to WAS02651

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves the County Road 11 and Flandrau State Park Cottonwood River accesses with coordinates, managing authority, launch type, parking, and restroom context.

    Source

  • Official DNR bands150 / 250-870 / 2,190 cfs

    MN DNR interprets the New Ulm gauge as Scrapable below 150 cfs, Low from 150 to 250, Medium from 250 to 870, High from 870 to 2,190, and Very High above 2,190.

    Source

  • Current gauge check122 cfs at 2026-07-23 08:00

    The current MN DNR feed placed New Ulm below the official scrapable floor during this run.

    Source

  • Camping postureFlandrau State Park watercraft campsite and campground

    DNR Map 4 shows Flandrau State Park camping, water, toilets, and a watercraft campsite at river mile 5.7; use designated sites and current park rules only.

    Source

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More on Cottonwood River

All 7
County Road 10 to County Road 11Southern MinnesotaEasy · About 6.7 miFlandrau State Park to Highway 15 AccessSouthern MinnesotaEasy · About 4.1 miHighway 15 Access to Courtland AccessSouthern MinnesotaModerate · About 10 miHighway 4 Access to County Road 10Southern MinnesotaEasy · About 8.1 mi

Nearby routes by distance

Minnesota RiverBuessman Bridge to Riverside Park · about 7 mi awayEasy · 5.2 miMinnesota RiverHarkin Store to Buessman Bridge · about 7 mi awayEasy · About 9.0 miMinnesota RiverHighway 4 Access to Harkin Store · about 12 mi awayModerate · About 11.3 miWatonwan RiverMadelia to County Road 32 · about 19 mi awayEasy · About 12.6 mi

Quick answers

Cottonwood River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Cottonwood River?

Paddle Today watches Cottonwood River nr New Ulm, MN68 and treats 250 cfs to 870 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Cottonwood River route start and end?

This route starts at Cottonwood River, Co Rd 11 Public Water Access Site and ends at Cottonwood River, Flandrau State Park Public Water Access Site, about About 11.1 mi on the water.

Is this Cottonwood River route good for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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