Iowa | Southeast Iowa
North Skunk River
Delta to Sigourney / South Skunk River Access
Check current paddling conditions for this North Skunk 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 near Delta and paddle the North Skunk toward the Sigourney access corridor. The direct Sigourney gauge and CanWePaddle range make this scoreable, but endpoint signs, wood, and rural private-bank boundaries need same-day confirmation.
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
Delta / North Skunk River accessEndpoint coordinates are practical access-corridor anchors, not surveyed ramp points. Use posted access signs and current local conditions.
Take-out
Sigourney / South Skunk River Access corridorThe DNR Skunk River map shows the North Skunk / Skunk River access corridor and Sigourney access context, but the exact launch/landing line should be verified before boats are unloaded.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Endpoint coordinates are practical access-corridor anchors, not surveyed ramp points. Use posted access signs and current local conditions.
- The DNR Skunk River map shows the North Skunk / Skunk River access corridor and Sigourney access context, but the exact launch/landing line should be verified before boats are unloaded.
- Do not improvise private-bank take-outs between Delta and Sigourney unless there is clear public access or landowner permission.
Watch for
- Fresh logjams, sweepers, and blocked bridge openings after rain.
- Low-water dragging below about 100 cfs on the North Skunk near Sigourney gauge.
- Fast, muddy, debris-laden water above about 1,500 cfs or on a rising hydrograph.
- Rural shuttle exposure, limited bailout options, private banks, and cold-water conditions outside summer.
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 | North Skunk River near Sigourney, 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 |
| Target band | 100 cfs to 1,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,500 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | CanWePaddle North Skunk River Delta-to-Sigourney estimated range |
| 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.
- Exact route and rangeDelta to Sigourney, 10 miles, 100-1,500 cfs
CanWePaddle documents the North Skunk River Delta-to-Sigourney reach as a 10-mile Class I run tied to USGS 05472500 with a 100 to 1,500 cfs estimated runnable range.
- Current gauge check272 cfs / 5.07 ft at 2026-07-22 23:30 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current discharge and stage for North Skunk River near Sigourney during this run.
- Official access mapIowa DNR Skunk River map
Iowa DNR maps the South Skunk / North Skunk corridor in Mahaska and Keokuk counties, including Delta, Sigourney, boat-ramp/fishing-access symbols, public recreation land, and dam-danger legend context.
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.
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
North Skunk River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling North Skunk River?
Paddle Today watches North Skunk River near Sigourney, IA and treats 100 cfs to 1,500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this North Skunk River route start and end?
This route starts at Delta / North Skunk River access and ends at Sigourney / South Skunk River Access corridor, about About 10 mi on the water.
Is this North Skunk River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.