See all 18 routes on Des Moines River
Iowa | North-Central Iowa
Des Moines RiverHydro-electric Park to South River District Access
Fort Dodge urban Des Moines River connector from Hydro-electric Park to South River District Access, passing the gauge corridor and former dam reaches before joining the existing downstream route.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Hydro-electric Park and paddle through the short Fort Dodge urban connector to South River District Access, where the existing downstream Lehigh route begins.
Access map
Put-in
Hydro-electric ParkThis card ends at South River District Access; continue toward Dolliver or Lehigh only with that longer downstream shuttle staged.
Take-out
South River District AccessIowa DNR describes bridges, storm-sewer outfalls, urban debris, and the USGS gauge corridor in this reach.
Road shuttle
Stage at South River District Access, then launch from Hydro-electric Park. Walk both access points and confirm the South River District take-out before putting on.
Additional access notes
- Former dam-removal areas can still create confusing current and remnant hazards; scout before launching and avoid high/rising water.
More route and safety guidance
- Use only the named public water-trail accesses. Private banks, muddy slopes, and wooded bluffs limit casual bailout choices even close to Fort Dodge.
- High or rising water can hide boulders, steel girders, and dam-removal remnants while adding fast current and floating wood. Treat the upper end of the range as experienced-paddler water.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Des Moines River at Fort Dodge, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Des Moines River at Fort Dodge, IA |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 400 cfs to 8,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 400 cfs |
| High threshold | 8,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | CanWePaddle Fort Dodge to Lehigh estimated range |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route and mileageHydro-electric Park to South River District Access, 2.5 mi
Iowa DNR lists Hydro-electric Park to South River District Access as an intermediate Fort Dodge reach.
- Urban corridor hazardsBridges, storm sewers, gauge corridor
Iowa DNR describes multiple bridges, industrial shoreline, storm-sewer outfalls, debris, and the USGS gauging station in this Fort Dodge section.
- Dam-removal contextFormer hydro and Little Dam corridor
The Webster County map labels the Fort Dodge Hydro Dam and Little Dam corridor, and Iowa Whitewater Coalition documents hydro dam demolition completed in 2019.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-24892 cfs / 4.18 ft at 2026-07-24 05:00 CDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Threshold range400-8,000 cfs
CanWePaddle ties the Fort Dodge-to-Lehigh section to USGS 05480500 and estimates a 400 to 8,000 cfs runnable window; this split includes the direct Fort Dodge gauge corridor.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
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