Iowa | Northwest Iowa
Little Sioux River
Linn Grove Dam Area to Riverside Little Sioux Access
Check current paddling conditions for this Little Sioux 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
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.
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
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.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The 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.
- The Peterson take-out coordinate is an address/park-area anchor for Riverside Little Sioux Access, not a surveyed ramp point.
- Respect private banks and use public access areas only.
Watch for
- Low-head dam hydraulics at Linn Grove, especially during higher water.
- Fast rises after rain, floating wood, cutbank strainers, shallow riffles near the low end of the range, and cold spring water.
- Remote-feeling bends where road access and rescue options are limited.
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 | 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 |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 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 |
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.
- Current gauge check264 cfs / 5.65 ft at 2026-07-22 21:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Linn Grove discharge and stage during this run.
- 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.
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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More routes to check next
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Quick answers
Little Sioux River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Little Sioux River?
Paddle Today watches Little Sioux River at Linn Grove, IA and treats 100 cfs to 1,500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Little Sioux River route start and end?
This route starts at Linn Grove Dam Area below-dam launch and ends at Riverside Little Sioux Access, about About 9 mi on the water.
Is this Little Sioux 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.