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See all 9 routes on Maquoketa River

Iowa | Northeast Iowa

Maquoketa River

Dundee Access to Manchester Whitewater Park

Check current paddling conditions for this Maquoketa River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.

Route location

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DistanceAbout 11.8 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 4 hr 30 min to 6 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Maquoketa River runs below the rocky wooded bluffs of Backbone State Park.
River contextMaquoketa River at Backbone State Park river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by USGS

Need to know

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Conditions

Gauge history and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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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

On-water distanceAbout 11.8 miDundee Access to Manchester Whitewater Park
DifficultymoderateThis is not the rejected Backbone-to-Dundee dam-adjacent card. It starts at the designated Dundee water-trail access and runs the official Dundee-to-Manchester reach, which Iowa DNR frames as intermediate because of riffles and downed trees.
ShuttleCar shuttleUse a two-car shuttle between Dundee and the Manchester Whitewater Park / Tirrill Park finish. Scout the Manchester finish and the Quaker Mill dam-remnant area before launching if the Manchester gauge is rising or outside the normal recreational band.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use designated Delaware County and city access points, follow Iowa boating/PFD rules, and obey posted park and whitewater-park rules.
CampingDay tripNo on-route river campsite is assumed for this day route. Nearby Dundee, Backbone-area, and Manchester lodging or camping should be planned separately rather than treated as river-corridor camping.
SeasonApr-OctMay through September is the published core season, with spring and post-rain windows often best. The route should be treated conservatively after heavy rain because the narrow wooded channel, downed trees, and Manchester features all get less forgiving.

Plan ahead

Upcoming outlook

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Launch at the Dundee access and paddle the Delaware County Maquoketa water trail to Manchester. This longer moving-water day uses the direct Manchester USGS gauge and includes riffles, wood, the Quaker Mill dam-remnant decision, and the whitewater-park finish.

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Start

Put-in

Dundee Access / Dundee Wildlife Area
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Dundee is the clean upstream public access for this route. Do not substitute dam-adjacent Backbone launches unless separately scouting that shorter segment.

Finish

Take-out

Manchester Whitewater Park / Tirrill Park finish
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Delaware County describes Lindsey Bridge and Tirrill Park as intermediate public accesses, making them practical bailout or shortened-trip options if level, weather, or time deteriorates.

Plan this segment

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • Dundee is the clean upstream public access for this route. Do not substitute dam-adjacent Backbone launches unless separately scouting that shorter segment.
  • Delaware County describes Lindsey Bridge and Tirrill Park as intermediate public accesses, making them practical bailout or shortened-trip options if level, weather, or time deteriorates.
  • The Quaker Mill dam has a breached/passable route at some levels, but local guidance still calls for scouting and a south-bank portage option when conditions or skill make the line inappropriate.
  • The finish enters the Manchester whitewater-park corridor. Beginners should decide in advance whether to take out before features or run only the features that match their skill.

Watch for

  • Riffles, shallow gravel, and possible dragging below about 120 cfs on the Manchester gauge.
  • Pushy current, reduced eddies, and more consequential wood above about 1,500 cfs on the Manchester gauge.
  • Downed trees, outside-bend strainers, bridge current, private banks, and cold shoulder-season water.
  • Quaker Mill dam remnants and whitewater-park features near Manchester that require scouting rather than blind floating.

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.

The Maquoketa River runs below the rocky wooded bluffs of Backbone State Park.
Maquoketa River at Backbone State Park river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by USGS
USGS asset: public domain

Score & sources

Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.

Read quality
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Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking

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Why
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Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteMaquoketa River at Manchester, IA
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
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Target band120 cfs to 1,500 cfs
Low threshold120 cfs
High threshold1,500 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreCanWePaddle Maquoketa River Dundee-to-Manchester estimated range
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Rainfall sourceChecking
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.

  • Official route reachDundee Access to Manchester Whitewater Park, 11.8 miles

    Iowa DNR documents the Dundee Access to Manchester Whitewater Park reach as 11.8 miles and says riffles and downed trees make it most appropriate for at least intermediate paddlers.

    Source

  • Local access sequenceDundee to Lindsey Bridge to Tirrill Park to whitewater park

    Delaware County Tourism breaks the route into Dundee-to-Lindsey Bridge, Lindsey Bridge-to-Tirrill Park, and Tirrill Park-to-Manchester Whitewater Park segments and notes a Quaker Mill dam breach with possible watercraft passage or south-bank portage.

    Source

  • Published range120 to 1,500 cfs

    CanWePaddle publishes a route-specific estimated runnable range of 120 to 1,500 cfs for Dundee to Manchester using the Maquoketa River at Manchester gauge.

    Source

  • Current gauge check463 cfs / 5.35 ft

    USGS Water Services returned Maquoketa River at Manchester values of 463 cfs and 5.35 ft at 2026-07-22 19:15 CDT.

    Source

  • Put-in supportDundee Access / Dundee Wildlife Area

    Iowa DNR describes Dundee Access on the northwest edge of Dundee as the access for this reach, and Delaware County/MyCountyParks identifies Dundee Wildlife Area on the west edge of Dundee as public county conservation land.

    Source

  • Finish supportManchester Whitewater Park

    The City of Manchester says the whitewater park is open year-round, and Delaware County Tourism lists the park at 208 East Main Street with public parking nearby.

    Source

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

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More in Iowa

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Iowa route guideBrowse every tracked Iowa route.Northeast IowaJump to routes in this region.

More on Maquoketa River

All 9
Backbone Lake Dam Landing to Dundee AccessNortheast IowaModerate · About 1.8 to 2.1 miCanton Bridge Access to Royertown Bridge AccessNortheast IowaEasy · 8.9 miEby's Mill Access to Supples Bridge AccessEastern IowaEasy · About 8.25 miManchester Whitewater ParkNortheast IowaModerate · About 0.15 to 0.2 mi / 800 to 1,000 ft

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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 120 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 Maquoketa River route start and end?

This route starts at Dundee Access / Dundee Wildlife Area and ends at Manchester Whitewater Park / Tirrill Park finish, about About 11.8 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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