See all 9 routes on Maquoketa River
Iowa | Northeast Iowa
Maquoketa RiverBackbone Lake Dam Landing to Dundee Access
Short official upper Maquoketa water-trail section from the Backbone dam corridor to Dundee, with state-park camping nearby, riffles, wood, and a direct Manchester 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 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.
Access map
Put-in
Backbone Lake Dam LandingDo 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 AreaThe exact below-dam launch can be controlled by park roads, gates, water level, and same-day signage. Walk the carry before unloading.
Road shuttle
Use a short shuttle from Dundee Access back to the Backbone dam corridor. Confirm park road and gate status before staging, because the app route starts below the dam and does not include private upstream access or dam passage.
Additional access notes
- Dundee is the default take-out before the longer Dundee-to-Manchester water-trail chain.
More route and safety guidance
- Wisconsin River Trips says the below-dam channels can be narrow, fast, and congested near 129th Street, with a two-foot ledge and low branches that deserve scouting.
- Backbone State Park gates, lake/dam-area access, storm debris, and Dundee landing conditions can change the plan even when the Manchester gauge is in range.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
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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
Maquoketa River at Manchester, 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 | Maquoketa River at Manchester, IA |
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| Preferred range | 51 cfs to 250 cfs |
| Low threshold | 51 cfs |
| High threshold | 451 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
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| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Backbone State Park gauge ladder |
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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 · 2026-07-23399 cfs / 5.10 ft at 2026-07-23 03:15 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.
- 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.
Other routes nearby
More on Maquoketa River
All 9Nearby routes within 75 miles
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