Indiana | Northwest Indiana
Iroquois River
Laird's Landing to Newton County Fairgrounds
Check current paddling conditions for this Iroquois 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
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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
Long one-way Upper Iroquois run using the only designated public endpoints listed by the watershed canoe chart.
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
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.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
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
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.
No approved route photos yet
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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 | 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 |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 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
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
Share your trip
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
Iroquois River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling 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 this Iroquois River route start and end?
This route starts at Laird's Landing and ends at Newton County Fairgrounds bridge access, about About 32 mi on the water.
Is this Iroquois 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.
Flag a change
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.
