See all 3 routes on Middle Raccoon River
Iowa | Central Iowa
Middle Raccoon River
Cowles River Access to Redfield Dam Upper Access
Check current paddling conditions for this Middle Raccoon River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
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
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
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
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
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.
Plan a shorter segmentOptional
Access planner
Pick a shorter segment
This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
Peltier Lake to Long Lake is the full route. Shorter access pairs are useful when wind, time, or group energy changes the plan.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
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.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Identify the Redfield Dam Upper Access from land before launching. Missing the take-out creates low-head-dam exposure.
- Cowles, Shearer, and Redfield Dam Upper Access are DNR-named public ramps, but same-day mud, high water, or debris can affect ramp usability.
- 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.
Watch for
- The Redfield low-head dam at the finish corridor; take out above it and do not paddle into the dam zone.
- Numerous rock riffles, sweepers, sharp-bend logs, and places where trees may partially block the river.
- Low-water dragging below 400 cfs, high/rising-water wood exposure, rural rescue spacing, and private-bank limits.
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.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind 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 |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Ideal range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 400 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| 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 |
| 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.
- 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.
- Current gauge check76.1 cfs / 4.24 ft at 2026-07-23 05:15 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Middle Raccoon at Panora data during this run, far below the selected floor.
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
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Middle Raccoon River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Middle Raccoon River?
Paddle Today watches Middle Raccoon River at Panora, IA and uses 400 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Middle Raccoon River route start and end?
This route starts at Cowles River Access and ends at Redfield Dam Upper Access, about About 7.8 mi on the water.
Is this Middle Raccoon 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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