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Iowa | Northeast Iowa
Maquoketa RiverPictured Rocks Park to Eby's Mill Access
Six-plus-mile Jones County Maquoketa section from Pictured Rocks to the improved Eby's Mill ramp, preserving the scenic public-land reach without using the weaker Supples Bridge take-out.
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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 from Pictured Rocks and take out at the rebuilt Eby's Mill ramp for a compact scenic Maquoketa day through the public-land bluff corridor. The Manchester gauge supports a low-water floor but not a high-water ceiling.
Access map
Put-in
Pictured Rocks Park AccessThis card starts below the Mon-Maq/Monticello dam corridor. Do not include any upstream dam approach as part of the route.
Take-out
Eby's Mill AccessEby's Mill is the planned take-out. The downstream Supples Bridge access is explicitly weaker in the Iowa DNR/Jones County guide and is not used as the default finish.
Road shuttle
Stage Eby's Mill first, then drive back to Pictured Rocks Park. This shortens the official Pictured-Rocks-to-Highway-136 section to the strongest public take-out and avoids relying on Supples Bridge.
Additional access notes
- Use public park and access lands only. Pictured Rocks has public land along the river, but adjacent downstream banks can still be private.
More route and safety guidance
- The Eby's Mill ramp is the planned take-out. Do not continue to Supples Bridge unless the group has separately accepted that muddier, less visible access.
- Expect overhanging trees, logjams, bridge abutments, large rocks, and private-bank limits called out by the Iowa DNR/Jones County water-trail guide.
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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.
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 · 2026-07-23414 cfs / 5.16 ft at 2026-07-23 01:15 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.
- Minimum water guidance155 cfs minimum; 200-250 cfs better
Miles Paddled recorded 155 cfs / 4.4 ft at Manchester as a minimal recommended level for the Monticello-to-Eby’s route and says 200 to 250 cfs is better to avoid scraping.
- Official route shapePictured Rocks to Eby’s Mill inside the 11.7-mile Pictured Rocks-to-Highway-136 section
The Iowa DNR/Jones County guide describes six-plus miles between Pictured Rocks Park Access and Eby’s Mill Road along public land with limestone bluffs, then continues to Highway 136.
- Take-out supportEby's Mill rebuilt hard-surface ramp
Jones County says Eby's Mill River Access was redone with a hard-surface ramp, stabilized shoreline, parking, sidewalk, and kiosk support for kayaks, canoes, and tubers.
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
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