See all 18 routes on Des Moines River
Iowa | Central Iowa
Des Moines River
South Fraser Ramp to Waterworks Upstream Access / E-26
Route planning details, access notes, and local verification guidance.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
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
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
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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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
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 below the Fraser dam portage at South Fraser and take out at Waterworks Upstream / E-26 before the Boone Waterworks rock-arch rapids.
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
South Fraser RampDo not run the Fraser dam; this card begins at South Fraser after the portage/relaunch boundary.
Take-out
Waterworks Upstream Access / E-26Waterworks Upstream / E-26 is a hard stop unless a separate Boone Waterworks rapids or portage plan is staged.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Do not run the Fraser dam; this card begins at South Fraser after the portage/relaunch boundary.
- Waterworks Upstream / E-26 is a hard stop unless a separate Boone Waterworks rapids or portage plan is staged.
- Saved coordinates are practical access-area anchors from official DNR/USACE map labels; use current signs for the exact ramp approach.
Watch for
- Fraser dam portage discipline and the downstream Waterworks rapids boundary.
- Strainers, silted ramps, bridge debris, and faster current after rain or reservoir changes.
- Private uplands above the high-water mark and limited public exits between ramps.
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
Data and sources
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 near Stratford, 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 | 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 upper Des Moines corridor |
| 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 route and mileageSouth Fraser to Waterworks Upstream/E-26, about 5 mi
The Iowa DNR Boone County map labels South Fraser at river mile 249 and E-26/Waterworks access near river mile 244.
- Dam and portage boundaryFraser dam portage; Waterworks rapids ahead
Iowa DNR says the Fraser low-head dam is not recommended and is bypassed by North and South Fraser plus the portage trail; it also identifies Waterworks upstream/downstream accesses for avoiding the rock-arch rapids.
- Current gauge checkUSGS 05481300 1,020 cfs / 5.76 ft
USGS Water Services returned current Des Moines River near Stratford data at 2026-07-23 20:00 CDT during this run; downstream Saylorville also returned 1,530 cfs / 3.65 ft.
- Boone County water trail38 river miles and 8 ramps
Boone County says this state water trail has signs, informational kiosks, approximately 38 river miles, and eight boat ramps, while warning users about the Fraser and Boone Waterworks dams.
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
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Quick answers
Des Moines River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Des Moines River?
Paddle Today watches Des Moines River near Stratford, IA and treats 400 cfs to 8,000 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 South Fraser Ramp and ends at Waterworks Upstream Access / E-26, about About 5 mi on the water.
Is this Des Moines River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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