See all 9 routes on Maquoketa River
Iowa | Northeast Iowa
Maquoketa River
Backbone Lake Dam Landing to Dundee Access
Check current paddling conditions for this Maquoketa River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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Today
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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
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
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Launch below Backbone Lake Dam and take out at Dundee for the short official upper Maquoketa water-trail opener. The route is scenic but intentionally dam-aware and scout-heavy.
Put-in
Backbone Lake Dam LandingOpen mapDo not launch above Backbone Lake Dam for this card. The optional upstream reach in DNR guide material requires private permission and is outside this route.
Take-out
Dundee Access / Dundee Wildlife AreaOpen mapThe exact below-dam launch can be controlled by park roads, gates, water level, and same-day signage. Walk the carry before unloading.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Do not launch above Backbone Lake Dam for this card. The optional upstream reach in DNR guide material requires private permission and is outside this route.
- The exact below-dam launch can be controlled by park roads, gates, water level, and same-day signage. Walk the carry before unloading.
- Dundee is the default take-out before the longer Dundee-to-Manchester water-trail chain.
Watch for
- Split below-dam channels, low branches, a two-foot ledge below 129th Street, and wood that can force scouting or portage.
- Bumpy low water near the 51 cfs floor and pushy strainers when the Manchester gauge climbs toward 451 cfs or higher.
- Cold water, park gate changes, algae/bacteria caveats in the lake area, and private banks away from public access points.
Route gallery
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Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Maquoketa River at Manchester, 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 | 51 cfs to 250 cfs |
| Low threshold | 51 cfs |
| High threshold | 451 cfs |
| Data confidence behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Backbone State Park gauge ladder |
| 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 check399 cfs / 5.10 ft at 2026-07-23 03:15 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Manchester discharge and stage during this run.
- Official route shapeBackbone to Dundee, 1.8 mi
Delaware County Tourism says the canoe trail begins just below the dam in Backbone State Park and lists Backbone to Dundee as a 1.8-mile water-trail section.
- Gauge ladder51-250 cfs broad target; 451+ cfs maybe too high
Wisconsin River Trips says 51-100 cfs should leave the rest of the river fine after shallow upstream sections, 101-250 cfs is average to above average, and 451+ cfs may be too high for safe paddling.
- Below-dam caveatFast split channels and ledge
Wisconsin River Trips warns that the dam-to-129th-Street section splits around an island, has narrow congested channels, and should be scouted before running.
- Camping contextBackbone State Park campground nearby
Delaware County Tourism notes camping, water, and restrooms at the Backbone departure point, and Iowa DNR documents Backbone State Park camping and amenities.
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
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Reports
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
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Quick answers
Maquoketa River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Maquoketa River?
Paddle Today watches Maquoketa River at Manchester, IA and treats 51 cfs to 250 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Maquoketa River route start and end?
This route starts at Backbone Lake Dam Landing and ends at Dundee Access / Dundee Wildlife Area, about About 1.8 to 2.1 mi on the water.
Is this Maquoketa 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.
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