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See all 18 routes on Des Moines River

Iowa | Southeast Iowa

Des Moines River

Des Moines River Access to Farmington Access

Route planning details, access notes, and local verification guidance.

Route location

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DistanceAbout 3 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 1 hr to 2 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Des Moines River runs past bridges and downtown buildings in Des Moines, Iowa.
River contextDes Moines River through downtown Des Moines river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Giant Asparagus / Pexels

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Conditions

Gauge history and hourly forecast

Use the gauge context and hourly forecast to verify local conditions before launching.

Gauge detail

Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly 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

On-water distanceAbout 3 miDes Moines River Access to Farmington Access
DifficultyeasyIowa DNR calls this straight three-mile reach easy. The caution rating reflects the large-river setting, upstream-release control, private banks, debris, and the need to identify the Farmington take-out below Highway 2.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage at Farmington Access below the Highway 2 bridge, then drive back to Des Moines River Access. Identify the take-out from land because continuing downstream leaves the Iowa water-trail finish and requires a separate plan.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow Van Buren County, Farmington, and Iowa boating/PFD rules, and use only public accesses or legal river bars for stops.
CampingOptions nearbyThe county Des Moines River Access has primitive camping, while Farmington is listed with camping, cabins, restrooms, water, food, kiosk, and shelter. Confirm current local rules and seasonal availability before using either endpoint overnight.
SeasonApr-OctSpring through fall is typical. This last short reach can be a straightforward finish at normal levels, but release-driven high water, cold water, wind, or debris can make the take-out timing more important.

Plan ahead

Upcoming outlook

These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.

TomorrowChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Finish the Van Buren County Lower Des Moines water-trail chain by paddling from Des Moines River Access to Farmington Access. It is a short, straight reach, but high releases, debris, private banks, and missing the town take-out can still turn it into a bigger problem.

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Prepare this trip

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Start

Put-in

Des Moines River Access
Open map

Des Moines River Access and Farmington Access are named public water-trail launches; saved coordinates are practical launch records and should be verified against posted signs.

Finish

Take-out

Farmington Access
Open map

Farmington Access is below the Highway 2 bridge on river left/east side in the Iowa DNR guide.

Plan this segment

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • Des Moines River Access and Farmington Access are named public water-trail launches; saved coordinates are practical launch records and should be verified against posted signs.
  • Farmington Access is below the Highway 2 bridge on river left/east side in the Iowa DNR guide.
  • Treat adjacent residential and agricultural banks as private unless clearly posted public.

Watch for

  • High, fast, or debris-laden water from Red Rock release management or upstream storms.
  • Strainers, bridge current near Farmington, cold-water exposure, wind, motorboats, and jumping silver carp.
  • Drifting past Farmington without a downstream shuttle or Missouri/Lee County access plan.

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.

The Des Moines River runs past bridges and downtown buildings in Des Moines, Iowa.
Des Moines River through downtown Des Moines river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Giant Asparagus / Pexels
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Score & sources

Data and sources

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.

Read quality
Checking live inputs.

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Gauge inputChecking

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Weather inputChecking

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Next stepChecking

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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.

Why
  • Checking evidence-strength notes.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing

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

Gauge siteDes Moines River at Keosauqua, IA
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Target band3,000 cfs to 4,500 cfs
Low threshold800 cfs
High threshold6,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreOutdoor Adventures Made Easy lower Des Moines Keosauqua-gauge notes
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
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.

  • Official routeDes Moines River Access to Farmington, 3 mi

    Iowa DNR names this exact reach, describes it as a straight short section, and places Farmington Access on the east side below the Highway 2 bridge.

    Source

  • Access and campingCounty access primitive camping; Farmington access/camping

    Villages of Van Buren lists Des Moines River Access with primitive camping and boat ramp, and Farmington with boat access, restroom, water, food, kiosk, camping, cabins, and shelter.

    Source

  • Access coordinatesDes Moines River Access 40.67130, -91.75801; Farmington 40.63880, -91.74389

    Snoflo launch records publish practical coordinates for the named Des Moines River Access and Farmington Access boat launches; confirm exact ramp approach from posted signs.

    Source

  • Current gauge checkUSGS 05490500 8,110 cfs / 12.87 ft at 2026-07-23 13:15 CDT

    USGS Water Services returned current Keosauqua data during this run, above the selected conservative high-water ceiling.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.

More in Iowa

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Iowa route guideBrowse every tracked Iowa route.Southeast IowaJump to routes in this region.

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All 18
Ashley Park to PetersburgSouthwest MinnesotaModerate · About 9.7 miAustin Park to Keosauqua Boat RampSoutheast IowaEasy · About 5.8 miBentonsport Boat Ramp to Bonaparte Boat RampSoutheast IowaEasy · 3.6 to 5 miBonaparte Boat Ramp to Des Moines River AccessSoutheast IowaModerate · About 3.4 mi

Nearby routes by distance

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Quick answers

Des Moines River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Des Moines River?

Paddle Today watches Des Moines River at Keosauqua, IA and treats 3,000 cfs to 4,500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Des Moines River route start and end?

This route starts at Des Moines River Access and ends at Farmington Access, about About 3 mi on the water.

Is this Des Moines 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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