See all 5 routes on Red River of the North
Minnesota | Red River Valley
Red River of the NorthLindenwood Park to M.B. Johnson Park
Full Fargo-Moorhead urban Red River water-trail day from Lindenwood Park to M.B. Johnson Park, with two constructed-rock dam portages, multiple public bailout landings, and the direct Fargo DNR gauge.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Launch from Lindenwood's public ADA kayak dock, portage Midtown Dam left and North Dam right, and finish at M.B. Johnson for the complete 9.3-mile Fargo-Moorhead urban water trail.
Access map
Put-in
Lindenwood Park ADA kayak launchLindenwood's launch is confirmed by Fargo Parks on the North Dakota bank and is not represented in Minnesota public-water-access GIS.
Take-out
M.B. Johnson Park trailer accessM.B. Johnson Park is the planned finish. Do not continue casually toward downstream dams or private banks without a separate route plan.
Road shuttle
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Access planner
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This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
Lindenwood Park ADA kayak launch to M.B. Johnson Park trailer access is about 9.3 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Lindenwood's launch is confirmed by Fargo Parks on the North Dakota bank and is not represented in Minnesota public-water-access GIS.
- M.B. Johnson Park is the planned finish. Do not continue casually toward downstream dams or private banks without a separate route plan.
- The Fargo gauge is direct for the metro reach, but it cannot show same-day snags, muddy landing slope, urban stormwater, or dam-area turbulence.
Watch for
- Midtown Dam and North Dam constructed-rock rapids; use the DNR-mapped left/right portages and stay clear of hydraulics.
- Snags, muddy banks, poor underwater visibility, bridge current, and faster water after rain or flood releases.
- Border-river rules, private banks, cold water, and urban water quality after storms.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Weather
Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
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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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Red River of the North at Fargo, ND |
| 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 |
| Preferred range | 425 cfs to 1,110 cfs |
| Low threshold | 364 cfs |
| High threshold | 3,240 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 Red River of the North at Fargo |
| 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 DNR routeLindenwood Park RM 461.4 to M.B. Johnson Park RM 452.1, 9.3 mi
MN DNR's statewide recommended one-way list and Map 2 define the full Fargo-Moorhead route.
- Map 2 access and dam contextTwo constructed-rock dam portages; multiple urban accesses
MN DNR Red River Map 2 marks Lindenwood, Midtown Dam, Hjemkomst, North Dam, and M.B. Johnson in sequence, including left/right portage instructions.
- Public launch and finishFargo Parks ADA launch to M.B. Johnson WAS02269
Fargo Parks confirms Lindenwood's public adaptive kayak launch; Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves the Moorhead finish.
- Official DNR bands364 / 425-1,110 / 3,240 cfs
MN DNR interprets Fargo as Scrapable below 364 cfs, Low from 364 to 425, Medium from 425 to 1,110, High from 1,110 to 3,240, and Very High above 3,240.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23511 cfs at 2026-07-23 02:15 CDT
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.
- Local safety contextModified low-head dams and rock slopeways
RiverKeepers Fargo-Moorhead safety material identifies the local modified low-head dams and advises portaging unless paddlers are experienced and familiar with the rapids.
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
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Reports
Paddler reports
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Quick answers
Red River of the North paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Lindenwood Park to M.B. Johnson Park route on the Red River of the North?
Paddle Today watches Red River of the North at Fargo, ND and treats 425 cfs to 1,110 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Lindenwood Park to M.B. Johnson Park route on the Red River of the North start and end?
This route starts at Lindenwood Park ADA kayak launch and ends at M.B. Johnson Park trailer access, 9.3 mi on the water.
Is the Lindenwood Park to M.B. Johnson Park route on the Red River of the North suitable 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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