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Iowa | Southeast Iowa
Des Moines River
Bonaparte Boat Ramp to Des Moines River Access
Check current paddling conditions for this Des Moines River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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Today
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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
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
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Launch at Bonaparte and paddle the short official Lower Des Moines River Water Trail reach to the county Des Moines River Access. The first half-mile below Bonaparte carries the main decision: old dam remains and cross-current can be hazardous when low or pushy.
Put-in
Bonaparte Riverfront Park / Bonaparte Boat RampOpen mapBonaparte Riverfront Park is the same public ramp used by the upstream Bentonsport card; use posted local signs for parking and ramp approach.
Take-out
Des Moines River AccessOpen mapThe Des Moines River Access coordinate comes from the named launch record and should be treated as a practical access coordinate, not a surveyed ramp point.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Bonaparte Riverfront Park is the same public ramp used by the upstream Bentonsport card; use posted local signs for parking and ramp approach.
- The Des Moines River Access coordinate comes from the named launch record and should be treated as a practical access coordinate, not a surveyed ramp point.
- This short segment starts below old dam remains. Do not launch if the group cannot safely make the DNR-described move away from the put-in side.
Watch for
- Old dam remains, rough water, and shallow rock immediately below Bonaparte.
- Fast release-driven current, floating debris, strainers, bridge or bank turbulence, and jumping silver carp.
- Private cabins, agricultural banks, and limited legal exits between the public endpoints.
Route gallery
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Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Des Moines River at Keosauqua, 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 |
| Target band | 3,000 cfs to 4,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 800 cfs |
| High threshold | 6,000 cfs |
| Data confidence behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Outdoor Adventures Made Easy lower Des Moines Keosauqua-gauge notes |
| 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.
- Official routeBonaparte to Des Moines River Access, 3.4 mi
Iowa DNR names the Bonaparte-to-Des-Moines-River-Access reach and describes the access as a cement boat ramp maintained by the Van Buren County Conservation Board.
- Key hazardOld dam remains below Bonaparte
Iowa DNR says old dam remains immediately below Bonaparte may cause a hazard, especially in low water, and that paddlers must move quickly to the opposite side after putting in.
- Access and campingDes Moines River Access primitive camping and boat ramp
Villages of Van Buren lists Des Moines River Access four miles southeast of Bonaparte on the south side, with primitive camping and a boat ramp.
- 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; the route is currently above the selected conservative high-water ceiling.
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
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
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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 Bonaparte Riverfront Park / Bonaparte Boat Ramp and ends at Des Moines River Access, about About 3.4 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.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.