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See all 18 routes on Des Moines River

Iowa | Southeast Iowa

Des Moines River

Shidepoke Access / Selma to Douds Access

Route planning details, access notes, and local verification guidance.

Route location

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DistanceAbout 4.6 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 1.5 hr to 2.5 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Des Moines River runs past bridges and downtown buildings in Des Moines, Iowa.
River contextDes Moines River through downtown Des Moines river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Giant Asparagus / Pexels

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Conditions

Gauge history and hourly forecast

Use the gauge context and hourly forecast to verify local conditions before launching.

Gauge detail

Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view

Gauge

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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

On-water distanceAbout 4.6 miShidepoke Access / Selma to Douds Access
DifficultyeasyThis is a short official water-trail segment, but bridge-piling current, log accumulation, pipeline signage, silver carp, and release-driven speed make it a watchful beginner route rather than an automatic yes.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage Douds County Park / Des Moines River Access first, then launch at Shidepoke. Walk the Douds ramp and parking area before launch because the river bends and bridge area can change with debris.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use the signed public accesses, follow Iowa boating/PFD rules, and obey Lower Des Moines River water-trail, county-park, bridge, pipeline, and private-property postings.
CampingOptions nearbyDouds County Park lists two gravel campsites with electric hookups near the access. Sandbar camping is also generally allowed on the meandered Lower Des Moines below the ordinary high-water mark, but confirm current county rules before planning an overnight.
SeasonApr-OctSpring through fall is the practical season. Red Rock releases, upstream rain, and bridge debris should override a simple gauge score.

Plan ahead

Upcoming outlook

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

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.

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Prepare this trip

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Start

Put-in

Shidepoke Access / Selma boat ramp
Open map

Iowa DNR maps Shidepoke as the upstream access and Douds as the next downstream access at about 4.6 miles.

Finish

Take-out

Douds County Park & Des Moines River Access
Open map

Villages of Van Buren lists Douds County Park / Des Moines River Access at 14367 Walnut Street with boat ramp and limited camping context.

Plan this segment

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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.

The Des Moines River runs past bridges and downtown buildings in Des Moines, Iowa.
Des Moines River through downtown Des Moines river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Giant Asparagus / Pexels
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Score & sources

Data and sources

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.

Read quality
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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.

Why
  • Checking evidence-strength notes.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteDes Moines River at Keosauqua, IA
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Target band3,000 cfs to 4,500 cfs
Low threshold800 cfs
High threshold6,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreOutdoor Adventures Made Easy lower Des Moines Keosauqua-gauge notes
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
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.

    Source

  • 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.

    Source

  • 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.

    Source

  • 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.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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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.

More in Iowa

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All 18
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Nearby routes by distance

North Skunk RiverDelta to Sigourney / South Skunk River Access · about 31 mi awayEasy · About 10 miSouth Skunk RiverGlendale Access to Rose Hill Access · about 40 mi awayEasy · Approximately 8.1 river miles between Glendale Access and Rose Hill AccessSkunk RiverCottonwood Loop to Sycamore Loop, Welter Recreation Area · about 46 mi awayEasy · About 2.5 river miles between the Welter Recreation Area loopsIowa RiverHills Access to River Junction Access · about 58 mi awayEasy · About 9.8 mi

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.

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