See all 3 routes on Middle Raccoon River
Iowa | Central Iowa
Middle Raccoon RiverCowles River Access to Redfield Dam Upper Access
Lower protected Middle Raccoon day from Cowles toward Redfield Dam Upper Access, with clear water, scenic bluffs, many riffles, and a mandatory above-dam finish.
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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 Cowles and take out at Redfield Dam Upper Access for the lower protected Middle Raccoon section. The finish must be treated as an above-dam take-out, not an optional waypoint.
Access map
Put-in
Cowles River AccessIdentify the Redfield Dam Upper Access from land before launching. Missing the take-out creates low-head-dam exposure.
Take-out
Redfield Dam Upper AccessCowles, Shearer, and Redfield Dam Upper Access are DNR-named public ramps, but same-day mud, high water, or debris can affect ramp usability.
Road shuttle
Stage the Redfield Dam Upper Access take-out first and confirm the above-dam landing before driving back to Cowles. This is a mandatory stop before the low-head dam.
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Access planner
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Cowles River Access to Redfield Dam Upper Access is about 7.8 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- The Panora gauge is upstream of this split. It is the best direct same-river gauge, but it should be paired with local checks for wood and dam-area conditions.
More route and safety guidance
- Iowa DNR says the Cowles-to-Redfield section has numerous rock riffles, occasional sweepers, significant logs on sharp bends, and places where trees may block most of the river.
- This is a protected-water-area reach with private-bank constraints. Use only the public Cowles, Shearer, and Redfield access areas for normal landings.
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Conditions
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Weather
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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
Middle Raccoon River at Panora, 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 | Middle Raccoon River at Panora, 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 |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 400 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Iowa Parklands Middle Raccoon / Paddling Iowa 400 cfs note |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
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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.
- Official lower sectionCowles to Shearer to Redfield Dam Upper Access, 7.8 mi
Iowa DNR names Cowles Access to Shearer Access to Redfield Dam Upper Access as the next 7.8-mile Middle Raccoon section and says all three have cement boat ramps.
- Hazard profileNumerous riffles, sweepers, logs, and possible partial blockages
The DNR guide warns this section has numerous rock riffles, tree strainers, sharp-bend logs, and possible places where trees block most of the channel.
- Redfield access contextRedfield Dam Access near the low-head dam
Dallas County documents Redfield Dam Access on the Middle Raccoon and explicitly identifies the low-head dam that must be handled with care in the broader water-trail corridor.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-2376.1 cfs / 4.24 ft at 2026-07-23 05:15 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.
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 Middle Raccoon River
All 3Nearby routes within 75 miles
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