See all 4 routes on Middle River
Iowa | Central Iowa
Middle RiverPammel Park Ford Access to Holliwell Covered Bridge Access
Consolidated Middle River route from Pammel Park to Holliwell Covered Bridge, with Middle River County Park retained as a public intermediate access, campground, and shorter 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
Consolidated Middle River route from Pammel Park to Holliwell Covered Bridge, with Middle River County Park retained as a public intermediate access, campground, and shorter take-out.
Access map
Put-in
Pammel Park Ford Access #63Do not run the Pammel Park ford. This segment begins after the official portage and safe re-entry.
Take-out
Holliwell Covered Bridge Access #50The official map lists Middle River County Park as Access #54 with gravel carry-down canoe access; confirm the renovated walk-down ramp and parking from land.
Road shuttle
Stage Holliwell Covered Bridge first, then return to Pammel Park. Inspect Middle River County Park if it will serve as a shorter take-out or bailout.
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Access planner
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This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
Pammel Park Ford Access #63 to Holliwell Covered Bridge Access #50 is about 13.0 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- Do not assume legal bank or bar stops between accesses because the guide identifies Middle River as non-meandered.
- Holliwell is the last developed Middle River Water Trail access. The guide warns that downstream bridge crossings can have steep banks and dense vegetation.
- The Indianola gauge is downstream and official for the water trail, but local snags and shallow spots still decide this short reach.
- Middle River is non-meandered; stay with public accesses and permissioned land only.
More route and safety guidance
- The guide warns of numerous fallen trees and snags between the Highway 169 bridge and Middle River County Park access.
- Stay with public accesses and permissioned land only; the guide explicitly notes that Middle River is non-meandered and private-bank-sensitive.
- Holliwell Covered Bridge is the final developed access on the Middle River Water Trail. Do not assume downstream bridge crossings are practical take-outs.
- The guide warns that the final section remains challenging because of meandering, downed trees, and snags.
- Non-meandered-stream limits apply. Use public access points and permissioned land only, and treat fences as legal obstacles that may require careful portage.
- Middle River County Park is the intermediate public access and shorter-trip option for this consolidated family route.
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Conditions
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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 River near Indianola, 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
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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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- Checking evidence cautions.
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 River near Indianola, IA |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 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 |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 600 cfs to 900 cfs |
| Low threshold | 600 cfs |
| High threshold | 900 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Iowa DNR / Middle River Water Trail map optimum-flow 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 route and distanceAccess #63 to Access #54, about 9 mi
The Middle River Water Trail access table lists Pammel to Middle River County Park as the next official segment; the narrative says the next access is downstream at Middle River County Park.
- Route characterBackbone ridge, Harmon Tunnel, riffles and snags
The guide describes an extended oxbow around the limestone backbone ridge, a brief return to Pammel Park near Harmon Tunnel, rock riffles/chutes, and numerous fallen trees/snags.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05486490 140 cfs / 7.76 ft
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.
- Access and campingPammel modern camping; Middle River County Park city-park camping context
The water-trail map lists modern camping at Pammel and city-park camping context for Middle River County Park / nearby Winterset City Park.
- Official route and distanceAccess #54 to Access #50, about 4 mi
The guide lists Middle River County Park to Holliwell Covered Bridge as the final developed access-pair segment on the Middle River Water Trail.
- Final developed accessHolliwell Covered Bridge Access #50
The guide says Holliwell is the last developed access and that downstream bridge crossings can be difficult because of steep banks and dense vegetation.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05486490 140 cfs / 7.76 ft
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.
- HazardsMeanders, downed trees, snags
The guide says this shaded final section remains challenging because of a high degree of meandering and more downed trees and snags.
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 River
All 4Nearby routes within 75 miles
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