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Minnesota | Southern Minnesota
Minnesota River
Morton Access to Highway 4
Check current paddling conditions for this Minnesota 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
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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 Morton and paddle the DNR-listed 26.3-mile section to Highway 4. The route's value is a full public-access chain with real campsite structure, but the known logjam and long distance require conservative planning.
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
Minnesota River, Morton Access Public Water Access SiteMorton and Highway 4 both resolve as public-water-access GIS records, but this is a long rural section with limited fast exits.
Take-out
Minnesota River, Hwy 4 Public Water Access SiteCheck the river mile 184 logjam status locally before committing to the full route.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Morton and Highway 4 both resolve as public-water-access GIS records, but this is a long rural section with limited fast exits.
- Check the river mile 184 logjam status locally before committing to the full route.
- Franklin, Mack Lake, and Kettner Landing are mapped public accesses. Fort Ridgely is useful park/campground context, but do not assume a river landing there.
Watch for
- Large logjam near river mile 184 that DNR says may be impassable at times.
- Wind, broad bends, muddy exits, floating debris, private banks, and cold shoulder-season water.
- Long-day fatigue and slow travel when the Morton gauge is in the official low band.
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 | Minnesota River at Morton, MN19 |
| 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 |
| Target band | 1,330 cfs to 3,750 cfs |
| Low threshold | 307 cfs |
| High threshold | 10,900 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Minnesota River at Morton |
| 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.
- DNR recommended sectionMorton to Highway 4, 26.3 mi
MN DNR's statewide recommended paddling list identifies Morton Access to Highway 4 as a 26.3-mile Minnesota River section.
- Map supportMorton RM 189.9 to Highway 4 RM 163.6
MN DNR Map 4 places Morton, the direct river-level gauge, Franklin, Mack Lake, Kettner's, Fort Ridgely, and Highway 4 in sequence.
- DNR bands307 / 1,330-3,750 / 10,900 cfs
MN DNR interprets the Morton gauge as Scrapable below 307 cfs, Low from 307 to 1,330, Medium from 1,330 to 3,750, High from 3,750 to 10,900, and Very High above 10,900.
- Current gauge check1,260 cfs at 2026-07-23 18:00 CDT
The official DNR feed placed Morton in the low band during this run, just below the medium recommendation band.
- Public access recordsMorton WAS00670 and Highway 4 WAS00644
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves both endpoints with administrators, coordinates, and river-mile records.
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
Minnesota River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Minnesota River?
Paddle Today watches Minnesota River at Morton, MN19 and treats 1,330 cfs to 3,750 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Minnesota River route start and end?
This route starts at Minnesota River, Morton Access Public Water Access Site and ends at Minnesota River, Hwy 4 Public Water Access Site, about 26.3 mi on the water.
Is this Minnesota 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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