See all 18 routes on Des Moines River
Iowa | Southeast Iowa
Des Moines River
Keosauqua Boat Ramp to Bentonsport Boat Ramp
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 Keosauqua and paddle the official Lower Des Moines River Water Trail around the 8.6-mile horseshoe bend to Bentonsport. The reach has bluff and rock scenery, but release-driven flow, old dam remains, and private uplands require a current gauge and landing check.
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
Keosauqua Boat RampKeosauqua is the named public boat-ramp start in the Iowa DNR guide; the saved coordinate is a practical access-area anchor near the riverfront ramp rather than a survey point.
Take-out
Bentonsport Park / Bentonsport Boat RampBentonsport Park is the same county water-trail access used by the existing downstream Bentonsport-to-Bonaparte card.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Keosauqua is the named public boat-ramp start in the Iowa DNR guide; the saved coordinate is a practical access-area anchor near the riverfront ramp rather than a survey point.
- Bentonsport Park is the same county water-trail access used by the existing downstream Bentonsport-to-Bonaparte card.
- Use legal sandbars and public land only. Iowa DNR says private property begins at the high-water mark on the Lower Des Moines.
Watch for
- Old dam remains, rough water, and rock obstructions just below Keosauqua, especially at lower water.
- High or fast water from Red Rock release management; current can change without local rainfall.
- Bridge pilings, floating wood, silver carp, muddy landings, wind, and cold-water exposure.
- The current model is borrowed from adjacent lower-river Keosauqua-gauge guidance, so make a same-day visual call before launching.
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 | 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 |
| Evidence strength 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 routeKeosauqua to Bentonsport, 8.6 miles
Iowa DNR Lower Des Moines River water-trail material identifies this exact stream reach and describes the horseshoe bend, sandstone cliffs, and Lower Des Moines access context.
- Current gauge check7,230 cfs / 12.62 ft at 2026-07-22 23:15 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current discharge and stage for Des Moines River at Keosauqua during this run.
- Threshold model800 / 3,000-4,500 / 6,000 cfs
Outdoor Adventures Made Easy publishes lower Des Moines Keosauqua-gauge paddling notes for the adjacent Bentonsport-to-Bonaparte geode paddle. This card reuses that model conservatively and flags current high water above the normal recommendation.
- Safety and campingMeandered stream with sandbar camping; Red Rock releases matter
Iowa DNR says the riverbed, sandbars, and banks up to the high-water mark are held in public trust, sandbar camping is allowed on meandered streams, and Red Rock releases can make water unexpectedly low, high, or fast.
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 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 Keosauqua Boat Ramp and ends at Bentonsport Park / Bentonsport Boat Ramp, about 8.6 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.