See all 3 routes on Lizard Creek
Iowa | North-Central Iowa
Lizard CreekLentsch Access to Cunningham Access
Short upper Lizard Creek water-trail run from Lentsch to Cunningham, with clear fast water, glacial boulders, riffles, and a direct Fort Dodge stage 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
Launch at Lentsch Access and take out three miles downstream at Cunningham Access. This is the shortest Lizard Creek split, but Iowa DNR still describes it as fast, rocky, and not for beginners.
Access map
Put-in
Lentsch AccessBoth Lentsch and Cunningham are well-marked public water-trail accesses with parking and graveled trails, but same-day mud, debris, or high-water damage can still affect usability.
Take-out
Cunningham AccessThe Fort Dodge gauge is direct but located downstream near Rasch / Johnson Avenue, so make a visual check at Lentsch before committing.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at Cunningham Access on Hayes Avenue, then drive back to Lentsch Access at Fairbanks Avenue and 175th Street. Inspect both gravel trails and the gauge trend before unloading because Lizard Creek can rise or drop quickly.
Additional access notes
- Do not use private banks for routine scouting, breaks, or camping. The DNR brochure explicitly says Lizard Creek is non-meandered and private outside public accesses.
More route and safety guidance
- Lizard Creek rises and falls quickly. At low water, expect portages and pinning risk on shallow boulders; at higher water, rocks can hide just under the surface.
- This is a non-meandered stream. Use only public accesses and do not get out, scout, or camp on private banks except for emergencies.
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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
Lizard Creek near Fort Dodge, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
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 | Lizard Creek near Fort Dodge, IA |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 5.00 ft to 8.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 5.00 ft |
| High threshold | 8.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater Lizard Creek optimum stage guidance |
| 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 · 2026-07-234.56 ft at 2026-07-23 02:15 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 range5-8 ft optimum
American Whitewater ties the Lentsch-to-Phinney reach to the USGS Lizard Creek near Fort Dodge gauge and lists 5 to 8 ft as optimum paddling levels.
- Route shapeAbout 3.1 miles
American Whitewater lists Lentsch-to-Cunningham as about 3.1 miles; the Iowa DNR / Webster County brochure lists the stream reach as 3 miles.
- Access supportLentsch and Cunningham accesses
The Iowa DNR / Webster County brochure says both accesses are excellent, well marked, have adequate parking, and have graveled trails to the stream.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Lizard Creek
All 3Nearby routes within 75 miles
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