See all 18 routes on Des Moines River
Iowa | Southeast Iowa
Des Moines River
Shidepoke Access / Selma to Douds Access
Check current paddling conditions for this Des Moines River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
Today
Get the answer fast, then scan the route.
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 Shidepoke and take out at Douds for a short Lower Des Moines connector between two public water-trail accesses. The main route-specific cautions are bridge pilings, logs, pipeline no-docking signs, release-driven current, and silver carp.
Put-in
Shidepoke Access / Selma boat rampOpen mapIowa DNR maps Shidepoke as the upstream access and Douds as the next downstream access at about 4.6 miles.
Take-out
Douds County Park & Des Moines River AccessOpen mapVillages of Van Buren lists Douds County Park / Des Moines River Access at 14367 Walnut Street with boat ramp and limited camping context.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Iowa DNR maps Shidepoke as the upstream access and Douds as the next downstream access at about 4.6 miles.
- Villages of Van Buren lists Douds County Park / Des Moines River Access at 14367 Walnut Street with boat ramp and limited camping context.
- The Keosauqua USGS gauge is downstream on the same corridor, so pair the proxy reading with a visual check at Shidepoke and Douds.
Watch for
- Bridge pilings and log/debris piles near the Douds-area bridges.
- Pipeline no-docking signs, private banks, and limited legal stopping options away from public access or legal sandbars.
- Release changes from Red Rock Dam, high/fast water, low-water bars, and jumping silver carp.
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.
No approved route photos yet
Start the gallery with shots of the access, river character, or any detail that helps paddlers know what this run actually looks like.
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 routeShidepoke to Douds, 4.6 mi
Iowa DNR Lower Des Moines River water-trail material names Shidepoke to Douds and describes the straight agricultural corridor, bridge-piling hazard, and gas-pipeline no-docking warning.
- Douds public accessDouds County Park & Des Moines River Access
Villages of Van Buren describes the Douds river access as a boat ramp with shelter and two gravel campsites, and Fish Iowa lists 2021 ramp construction for Douds Access.
- Current gauge checkUSGS 05490500 5,060 cfs / 11.84 ft at 2026-07-23 10:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Des Moines River at Keosauqua data during this run.
- Threshold model800 / 3,000-4,500 / 6,000 cfs
The app reuses the accepted lower Des Moines Keosauqua-gauge community model from the adjacent Bentonsport-to-Bonaparte source and keeps proxy caveats explicit.
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.
See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.
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 Shidepoke Access / Selma boat ramp and ends at Douds County Park & Des Moines River Access, about About 4.6 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.