Indiana | Northwest Indiana
Iroquois RiverLaird's Landing to Newton County Fairgrounds
Long Upper Iroquois River run from the only designated public upstream access at Laird's Landing to the Newton County Fairgrounds bridge access. The Jasper County SWCD canoe chart supplies the named endpoints, 32-mile distance, and a field-verified stage rating tied to the Foresman USGS sentry gauge.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Long one-way Upper Iroquois run using the only designated public endpoints listed by the watershed canoe chart.
Access map
Put-in
Laird's LandingThe canoe chart identifies Laird's Landing and Newton Fairgrounds as the only designated public access points; other chart entries are private/permission-only or mile markers.
Take-out
Newton County Fairgrounds bridge accessThe fairgrounds bridge is a committed finish near Kentland. Confirm current boat-launch, parking, and event-season restrictions before leaving a vehicle.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- The canoe chart identifies Laird's Landing and Newton Fairgrounds as the only designated public access points; other chart entries are private/permission-only or mile markers.
- The fairgrounds bridge is a committed finish near Kentland. Confirm current boat-launch, parking, and event-season restrictions before leaving a vehicle.
- Local watershed materials warn of E. coli/nutrient concerns and limited access; do not swim or drink from the river and check current advisories.
- The guide warns of rapid rises, logjams, and changing conditions. A 32-mile run should not be launched late or without a reliable bailout/emergency plan.
Watch for
- USGS stage below 3.75 ft (low-water gray), 6–12 ft (yellow experienced-only), or above 12 ft (red danger)
- Rapid storm rises, fresh logjams, bridge debris, muddy water, and cold water
- Private banks and missing the designated public finish
- Water-quality advisories and insufficient daylight for the full one-way distance
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Iroquois River near Foresman, IN. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
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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 | Iroquois River near Foresman, IN |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 3.75 ft to 6.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 3.10 ft |
| High threshold | 12.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Jasper County SWCD Iroquois stream-gage canoe guide |
| 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.
- Named public endpoints and distanceLaird's Landing to Newton County Fairgrounds, 32 mi
The Upper Iroquois River Canoe Distances chart identifies these as the only designated public access points and lists the 32-mile route distance.
- Station-specific stage thresholds3.75–6.00 ft green; 6.00–12.00 ft yellow; >12 ft red; 3.10–3.75 ft gray
The Jasper County SWCD guide says the ratings were field verified from three years of paddling events and measurements and directs paddlers to the Rensselaer/Foresman USGS graphs.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 05524500 Iroquois River near Foresman
USGS provides current stage and discharge for the exact station named by the local canoe guide.
- Endpoint coordinatesLaird's Landing 40.934255,-87.127682; fairgrounds bridge 40.820833,-87.464333
Laird's Landing coordinates are independently published with the public access listing; the fairgrounds bridge coordinate is from the published water-quality study's IR07 site.
- Water-quality and access caveatNo swimming/drinking; intermediate exits may be private
The watershed organization documents E. coli/nutrient concerns and limited recreational access; use only the named endpoints and check current advisories.
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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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
Iroquois River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Laird's Landing to Newton County Fairgrounds route on the Iroquois River?
Paddle Today watches Iroquois River near Foresman, IN and treats 3.75 ft to 6.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Laird's Landing to Newton County Fairgrounds route on the Iroquois River start and end?
This route starts at Laird's Landing and ends at Newton County Fairgrounds bridge access, about 32 mi on the water.
Is the Laird's Landing to Newton County Fairgrounds route on the Iroquois River suitable 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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