Minnesota | Twin Cities North Metro
Rice Creek
Peltier Lake to Long Lake
Check current paddling conditions for this Rice Creek 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
The upper miles are mostly lake crossings before the creek narrows. Fish-barrier status, lake wind, and intermediate exits matter almost as much as the gauge.
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
Peltier Lake public boat launch (Lino Lakes)Multiple intermediate landings make it easy to shorten the route if wind or time becomes a problem.
Take-out
Long Lake Boat Landing / Long Lake Regional ParkWargo Nature Center on George Watch Lake is rentals/boat return only on the official map and is intentionally not modeled as a public self-launch. Use Aqua Lane for the first documented intermediate public access.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Multiple intermediate landings make it easy to shorten the route if wind or time becomes a problem.
- Wargo Nature Center on George Watch Lake is rentals/boat return only on the official map and is intentionally not modeled as a public self-launch. Use Aqua Lane for the first documented intermediate public access.
- The electric fish barrier upstream of Long Lake is a mandatory marked portage when operational. Obey all signs and buoys; RCWD says paddlers may pass without portaging only when neither is present.
Watch for
- Wind and chop on the opening lake chain.
- High-water or low-water culvert issues, especially between Baldwin Lake and I-35W.
- Fallen trees and the marked Long Lake fish-barrier portage when the barrier is operational.
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 | Rice Creek near New Brighton, MN |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | 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 | 6.30 ft to 7.90 ft |
| Low threshold | 6.30 ft |
| High threshold | 7.90 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Rice Creek Watershed District water-level guidance |
| 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.
- Published level band6.30 to 7.90 ft
Rice Creek Watershed District publishes this as the passable water-level recommendation.
- Route shapeFive lakes before the creek narrows
The upstream miles are lake crossings, so wind can matter more than the gauge suggests.
- Verified public access sequenceAqua Lane to Long Lake Boat Landing
The official trail map marks Aqua Lane as a limited-parking public access and the south-shore Long Lake Boat Landing as the 15.2-mile finish. It labels Wargo Nature Center rentals/boat return only and identifies the farther-north beach as a separate limited canoe access requiring a portage.
- Portage noteCounty Road I may require a portage in high water
The official trail map flags County Road I as a possible high-water portage point.
- Barrier noteMarked portage when the Long Lake fish barrier is operational
RCWD says signs and buoys mark the barrier and portages when in use; paddlers must follow them and may pass without portaging only when neither is present.
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
Rice Creek paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Rice Creek?
Paddle Today watches Rice Creek near New Brighton, MN and treats 6.30 ft to 7.90 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Rice Creek route start and end?
This route starts at Peltier Lake public boat launch (Lino Lakes) and ends at Long Lake Boat Landing / Long Lake Regional Park, about 15.2 mi on the water.
Is this Rice Creek 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.