See all 18 routes on Des Moines River
Minnesota | Southwest Minnesota
Des Moines River
Ashley Park to Petersburg
Check current paddling conditions for this Des Moines River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
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
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
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
Launch at Ashley Park and take out at Petersburg for the short lower-Des-Moines split around the direct Jackson gauge and the DNR-mapped wire hazard.
Plan a shorter segmentOptional
Access planner
Pick a shorter segment
This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
Peltier Lake to Long Lake is the full route. Shorter access pairs are useful when wind, time, or group energy changes the plan.
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
Des Moines River, Ashley Park Public Water Access SiteAshley Park resolves as WAS02771 at Des Moines River mile 12.8, and Petersburg resolves as WAS01443 at river mile 3.1.
Take-out
Des Moines River, Petersburg Public Water Access SiteThe Jackson DNR gauge sits inside the route near river mile 12.3, just below Ashley Park and the former Jackson Dam / high Class I rapid context.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Ashley Park resolves as WAS02771 at Des Moines River mile 12.8, and Petersburg resolves as WAS01443 at river mile 3.1.
- The Jackson DNR gauge sits inside the route near river mile 12.3, just below Ashley Park and the former Jackson Dam / high Class I rapid context.
- DNR Map 1 marks a wire hazard near river mile 6.1 that may be impassable at high water. Confirm the hazard before launching if water is high, rising, or debris-laden.
Watch for
- Former Jackson Dam / high Class I rapid area, small riffles, and changing lines around debris.
- Wire across the river near river mile 6.1, especially at high water.
- Snags, fallen trees, muddy banks, private shoreline, fast rises after heavy rain, and limited public exits.
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 | West Fork Des Moines River at Jackson, River St |
| 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 |
| Target band | 200 cfs to 900 cfs |
| Low threshold | 75 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,800 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for West Fork Des Moines River at Jackson |
| 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 shapeAshley Park RM 12.8 to Petersburg RM 3.1
MN DNR Des Moines River Map 1 shows Ashley Park, the Jackson gauge and former dam area, a wire hazard near river mile 6.1, and Petersburg trailer access along this lower section.
- Public access recordsWAS02771 to WAS01443
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Ashley Park and Petersburg with route river miles, coordinates, and public access records.
- Official DNR bands75 / 200-900 / 1,800 cfs
MN DNR interprets the Jackson gauge as Scrapable below 75 cfs, Low from 75 to 200, Medium from 200 to 900, High from 900 to 1,800, and Very High above 1,800.
- Current gauge check225 cfs at 2026-07-17 05:00
The current MN DNR feed placed Jackson inside the official medium band during this run.
- Why split the long cardShorter direct-gauge lower option
The existing Christianna-to-Petersburg card remains the full 26-mile lower route; this card isolates the final 9.7 miles around the direct Jackson gauge and the mapped wire hazard for a more realistic day trip.
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.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Des Moines River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Des Moines River?
Paddle Today watches West Fork Des Moines River at Jackson, River St and treats 200 cfs to 900 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, Ashley Park Public Water Access Site and ends at Des Moines River, Petersburg Public Water Access Site, about About 9.7 mi on the water.
Is this Des Moines 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.