Iowa | Northwest Iowa
Little Sioux RiverLinn Grove Dam Area to Riverside Little Sioux Access
Nine-mile Little Sioux River Class I run from the Linn Grove Dam Area downstream to Peterson, with endpoint camping at Linn Grove and a direct Linn Grove gauge.
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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
Paddle the Little Sioux River from Linn Grove to Peterson using the direct Linn Grove gauge. The route starts beside a documented low-head dam area, so below-dam launch discipline is mandatory.
Access map
Put-in
Linn Grove Dam Area below-dam launchThe Linn Grove Dam Area includes a low-head dam. Never approach the dam from upstream and do not launch where current feeds toward the dam.
Take-out
Riverside Little Sioux AccessThe Peterson take-out coordinate is an address/park-area anchor for Riverside Little Sioux Access, not a surveyed ramp point.
Road shuttle
Stage a vehicle at Riverside Little Sioux Access on the west edge of Peterson, then return to Linn Grove. Launch only from a confirmed below-dam point at Linn Grove Dam Area.
Additional access notes
- Respect private banks and use public access areas only.
More route and safety guidance
- The Little Sioux can rise quickly after rain and snowmelt; avoid fast, cold, or debris-laden water even when the gauge remains within range.
- Use the Riverside Little Sioux Access at Peterson as the take-out and respect private banks between public accesses.
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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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
Little Sioux River at Linn Grove, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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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 | Little Sioux River at Linn Grove, 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 |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 100 cfs to 1,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,500 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | CanWePaddle Linn Grove to Peterson estimated range |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| 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.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-22264 cfs / 5.65 ft at 2026-07-22 21:00 CDT
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.
- Threshold range100-1,500 cfs
CanWePaddle ties the Linn Grove-to-Peterson section to USGS 06605850 and estimates a 100 to 1,500 cfs runnable window.
- Public endpointsLinn Grove Dam Area to Riverside Little Sioux Access
Buena Vista County documents the Linn Grove Dam Area boat ramp and camping; Clay County documents Riverside Little Sioux Access with canoe/kayak access and parking.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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