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Iowa | Eastern Iowa
Iowa River
Tailwater East below Coralville Dam to Sturgis Ferry Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Iowa River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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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
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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 the public Corps ramp below Coralville Dam and take out at Sturgis Ferry Park before the longer Johnson County water-trail segment. Keep this framed as a below-dam connector with release checks and a firm downstream take-out.
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
Tailwater East public boat ramp below Coralville DamDo not launch above the dam or paddle upstream toward the dam tailwater. Use only the public ramp below the dam.
Take-out
Sturgis Ferry Park boat rampUSACE recreation status lists the Tailwater East public boat ramp open but notes no courtesy dock; expect a practical ramp launch rather than a dock launch.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Do not launch above the dam or paddle upstream toward the dam tailwater. Use only the public ramp below the dam.
- USACE recreation status lists the Tailwater East public boat ramp open but notes no courtesy dock; expect a practical ramp launch rather than a dock launch.
- Sturgis Ferry is a city park boat-ramp take-out; orient inside the park because the saved point is an access-area anchor.
Watch for
- Changing dam releases, cold water, debris, and stronger current after rain or reservoir operations.
- Urban bridges and developed river edges approaching Iowa City.
- Missing Sturgis Ferry and unintentionally continuing into the longer Sturgis-to-Hills segment.
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 | Iowa River at Iowa City, 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 | 300 cfs to 6,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 300 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 | CanWePaddle Iowa River Coralville Dam to Iowa City estimated range |
| 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.
- Threshold range300-6,000 cfs
CanWePaddle ties the Coralville Dam-to-Iowa City reach to USGS 05454500 and estimates 300 to 6,000 cfs as the runnable range.
- Current gauge check2,260 cfs / 11.83 ft at 2026-07-23 04:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Iowa River at Iowa City data during this run.
- Public put-inTailwater East public boat ramp below Coralville Dam
USACE says Tailwater East campground has a boat ramp for access to the Iowa River below the dam, and the recreation-status page lists the Tailwater East public boat ramp open with no courtesy dock.
- CampingTailwater East campground
Recreation.gov describes 28 campsites at Tailwater East plus restrooms, showers, fish-cleaning station, and a ramp for accessing the Iowa River.
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.
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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.
Quick answers
Iowa River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Iowa River?
Paddle Today watches Iowa River at Iowa City, IA and treats 300 cfs to 6,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Iowa River route start and end?
This route starts at Tailwater East public boat ramp below Coralville Dam and ends at Sturgis Ferry Park boat ramp, about About 7 mi on the water.
Is this Iowa 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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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.