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 snapshot
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Today
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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
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
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
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.
Put-in
Cowles River AccessOpen mapIdentify the Redfield Dam Upper Access from land before launching. Missing the take-out creates low-head-dam exposure.
Take-out
Redfield Dam Upper AccessOpen mapCowles, Shearer, and Redfield Dam Upper Access are DNR-named public ramps, but same-day mud, high water, or debris can affect ramp usability.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
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
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Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
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Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
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 |
| Data confidence 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
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.
Share your trip
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.
Flag a change
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.