See all 18 routes on Des Moines River
Iowa | Central Iowa
Des Moines RiverSkillet Creek Access to North Fraser Ramp
Upper Boone County Des Moines River connector from Skillet Creek Access to North Fraser Ramp, using the direct Stratford gauge and official Boone County water-trail access mapping.
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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 Skillet Creek Access and paddle into the Boone County Des Moines River water-trail chain to North Fraser Ramp. Terrain360 documents the route and ties it to the direct Stratford gauge, while official maps support both endpoint names.
Access map
Put-in
Skillet Creek AccessSkillet Creek Access is Iowa DNR's natural carry-down access 261, with a 31-foot parking-to-access carry; North Fraser is a Boone County mapped ramp. Confirm current road, parking, and bank conditions at both.
Take-out
North Fraser RampThe saved North Fraser coordinate is a practical ramp-area anchor from official map context; use local signage and current maps for the exact landing.
Road shuttle
Stage North Fraser Ramp first, then drive back to Skillet Creek Access. Confirm both landings and do not continue downstream toward the Boone dam sequence unless that separate route is planned.
Additional access notes
- Downstream Boone Waterworks and Fort Dodge Hydro dam/portage context belongs to other Boone County segments. Do not drift past the intended take-out without a plan.
More route and safety guidance
- The direct Stratford gauge is near the put-in corridor, but it cannot show woody debris, bank condition, or bridge-pinch hazards farther downstream.
- Stay off the river during fast rises or flood advisories. Sandbars, gravel bars, and banks can disappear quickly at higher flows.
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Conditions
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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 near Stratford, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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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 near Stratford, IA |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 400 cfs to 8,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 400 cfs |
| High threshold | 8,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | CanWePaddle Fort Dodge-to-Lehigh estimated range, applied conservatively to the adjacent upper Des Moines corridor |
| Gauge source | Checking |
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| 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.
- Route and gauge tieSkillet Creek Access to North Fraser Access, 18.4 km
Terrain360 documents this exact Des Moines River route near Pilot Mound and displays live USGS 05481300 Stratford gauge data for it.
- Official access mapsSkillet Access and North Fraser Ramp
The Iowa DNR map labels Skillet Creek Access as access 261; the DNR GIS locates its natural carry-down. The Boone County map shows North Fraser Ramp and the downstream dam/portage sequence.
- Boone County water trail38 river miles and eight ramps
Boone County says its Des Moines River segment is a state water trail with approximately 38 river miles and eight boat ramps.
- Iowa DNR Skillet Creek Access 261 GIS featureNatural carry-down; 31-foot parking-to-access distance
Iowa DNR's current access feature publishes the route point for Skillet Creek Access and identifies it as a natural access on the Des Moines River.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05481300 at 1,080 cfs / 5.83 ft
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.
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
More on Des Moines River
All 18Nearby routes within 75 miles
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