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See all 18 routes on Des Moines River

Minnesota | Southwest Minnesota

Des Moines River

Christiania Bridge to Ashley Park

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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

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Quick facts

On-water distanceAbout 16.3 miChristiania Bridge to Ashley Park
DifficultymoderateThis 16.3-mile route has several Class I rapids, a long rural shuttle, private banks, designated-campsite-only rules, and a take-out just above the Jackson former-dam rapid area.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage Ashley Park in Jackson first, then drive back to Christiania Bridge. This route ends just above the Jackson former-dam rapid area, so confirm the Ashley take-out before launching.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use the named DNR public accesses, follow Minnesota boating/PFD rules, and obey posted county, state park, watercraft campsite, and private-bank rules.
CampingOptions nearbyKilen Woods State Park, the Kilen Woods watercraft campsite, and Belmont County Park watercraft campsite are mapped in this corridor. Use only designated campsites and current park rules; do not camp on private riverbanks or riverbed areas.
SeasonApr-OctDNR says the Des Moines is beginner-friendly at normal levels but can flood and move quickly after heavy rain. Spring usually has the most reliable water; summer low water can mean scraping and slow progress.

Plan

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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 Christiania Bridge and take out at Ashley Park for a 16.3-mile Des Moines River connector through Kilen Woods and Belmont. The Jackson gauge is just downstream of the finish, so use it with same-day visual checks at both endpoints.

DirectionsApple MapsOpenStreetMap
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On-water distanceAbout 16.3 miLake to creek
On-water timeAbout 5 to 7 hrFull route option
ShuttleSelf-shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Peltier Lake to Long Lake is the full route. Shorter access pairs are useful when wind, time, or group energy changes the plan.

Start

Put-in

Des Moines River, Christiania Bridge / Chris Public Water Access SiteOpen map

Christiania / Chris resolves as WAS01445 at river mile 29.1, and Ashley Park resolves as WAS02771 at river mile 12.8.

Finish

Take-out

Des Moines River, Ashley Park Public Water Access SiteOpen map

The Jackson DNR gauge sits just downstream of Ashley near the former Jackson Dam / high Class I rapid. Do not miss Ashley or casually continue downstream without a scouted plan.

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • Christiania / Chris resolves as WAS01445 at river mile 29.1, and Ashley Park resolves as WAS02771 at river mile 12.8.
  • The Jackson DNR gauge sits just downstream of Ashley near the former Jackson Dam / high Class I rapid. Do not miss Ashley or casually continue downstream without a scouted plan.
  • Kilen Woods State Park and Belmont County Park camping access depends on current posted rules, fees, reservations, and campsite availability.

Watch for

  • Small Class I rapids near Kilen Woods, Belmont, and Jackson; lines can change with low water or debris.
  • Snags, fallen trees, fast rises after rain, cold water, and muddy banks.
  • Private shoreline and designated-campsite-only overnight rules.

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Sources

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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.

Why
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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 siteWest Fork Des Moines River at Jackson, River St
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Target band200 cfs to 900 cfs
Low threshold75 cfs
High threshold1,800 cfs
Data confidence behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreMN DNR river-level interpretation bands for West Fork Des Moines River at Jackson
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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 shapeChristiania RM 29.1 to Ashley Park RM 12.8

    MN DNR Des Moines Map 1 places Christiania Bridge, Kilen Woods, Belmont County Park, Ashley Park, and the Jackson gauge/former dam area in sequence.

    Source

  • Public access recordsWAS01445 to WAS02771

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves the Christiania / Chris access and Ashley Park with coordinates, route river miles, and public access records.

    Source

  • 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.

    Source

  • Current gauge check113 cfs at 2026-07-22 18:00 CDT

    The current MN DNR feed placed Jackson in the official low band during this run, below the preferred medium band.

    Source

  • Camping and hazard contextKilen Woods and Belmont campsites; Class I rapids

    DNR Map 1 identifies Kilen Woods State Park camping, Kilen Woods and Belmont watercraft campsites, several small Class I rapids, and private-bank camping limits.

    Source

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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.

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Nearby routes by distance

Cottonwood RiverJuenemann Landing to Springfield · about 28 mi awayEasy · 6.4 miCottonwood RiverSpringfield to Highway 4 · about 31 mi awayModerate · About 24.9 miCottonwood RiverHighway 4 Access to County Road 10 · about 36 mi awayEasy · About 8.1 miWatonwan RiverMadelia to County Road 32 · about 37 mi awayEasy · About 12.6 mi

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, Christiania Bridge / Chris Public Water Access Site and ends at Des Moines River, Ashley Park Public Water Access Site, about About 16.3 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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