See all 3 routes on Middle Raccoon River
Iowa | Central Iowa
Middle Raccoon River
Lenon Mill Park Access to P-28 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 below Lenon Mill Dam and take out at P-28 for the short first Middle Raccoon Route A split. The distance is beginner-sized, but riffles, sweepers, a below-dam start, and today-low water require a cautious moving-water 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
Lenon Mill Park AccessUse the Lenon Mill public access below the dam only; do not launch above the dam or linger in dam-influenced current.
Take-out
P-28 AccessP-28 is a named public access in the DNR/Guthrie County access chain. Confirm the ramp, eddy, and parking before leaving the shuttle vehicle.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Use the Lenon Mill public access below the dam only; do not launch above the dam or linger in dam-influenced current.
- P-28 is a named public access in the DNR/Guthrie County access chain. Confirm the ramp, eddy, and parking before leaving the shuttle vehicle.
- The Panora gauge is direct and just upstream, but it cannot show fresh wood, boulder exposure, or bank access condition at P-28.
Watch for
- Low water below 400 cfs, when riffles become scrape-prone and may require walking.
- Sweepers, boulders, sandstone blocks, bridge current, and rock wing dams below P-28 if continuing downstream.
- Private banks and cold-water exposure outside warm summer conditions.
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 access chainLenon Mill to P-28 inside the 9-mile DNR section
Iowa DNR names Lenon Mill Park Access, P-28 Access, Middle Raccoon River Access, and Cowles Access as the first 9-mile Middle Raccoon section.
- County access supportLenon Mill first access; P-28 second access
Guthrie County Tourism lists Lenon Mill as the first Middle Raccoon Route A access and P28 as the second access 2.1 miles downstream.
- Threshold floor400 cfs pleasant-ride note
Iowa Parklands quotes Nate Hoogeveen’s Paddling Iowa book as indicating 400 cfs as a pleasant ride on the Middle Raccoon.
- 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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More routes to check next
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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 Lenon Mill Park Access and ends at P-28 Access, about About 2.1 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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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.