See all 3 routes on Lizard Creek
Iowa | North-Central Iowa
Lizard CreekRasch Access to Phinney Park
Lower Lizard Creek challenge run from Rasch Access to Phinney Park, with at least 25 rocky riffles or rapids, limestone bluffs, and a direct same-corridor 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 Rasch Access and take out at Phinney Park for the hardest Lizard Creek split. Iowa DNR rates this reach advanced, with at least 25 rocky riffles or rapids and a final approach just above the Des Moines River.
Access map
Put-in
Rasch AccessRasch is the preferred put-in for the lower challenge reach and sits near the selected direct USGS gauge. Confirm the gauge trend and the creek visually before launching.
Take-out
Phinney ParkPhinney Park is on river right a few hundred yards above the Des Moines River confluence. Identify the landing and do not drift past it unless intentionally continuing on a separate Des Moines River plan.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at Phinney Park off Phinney Park Drive, then drive back to Rasch Access on Johnson Avenue. Treat Phinney as the planned finish just above the Des Moines River confluence unless your group has a separate lower-river plan.
Additional access notes
- The lower corridor passes highway bridges and an industrial Fort Dodge zone. Expect more debris and water-quality uncertainty than the upper wooded reaches.
More route and safety guidance
- American Whitewater notes the final mile before the Des Moines River confluence contains Class 2 rapids. Do not treat Phinney as optional unless your group has a separate lower-river plan.
- Expect fallen trees, bridge/industrial-zone debris, fast post-rain rises, and private banks. Scout only from legal public areas.
Plan this paddle
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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 |
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| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | 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 5.6 to 6 miles
American Whitewater lists Rasch-to-Phinney as about 5.6 miles; the Iowa DNR / Webster County brochure lists the stream reach as 6 miles.
- Advanced reachAt least 25 rocky riffles or rapids
The Iowa DNR / Webster County brochure says the Rasch-to-Phinney section is the most challenging Lizard Creek segment and rates it advanced.
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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