See all 7 routes on Root River
Minnesota | Southeast Minnesota
Root River
Peterson carry-in to Rushford carry-in
Check current paddling conditions for this Root River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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Today
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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
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
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Launch at Peterson and take out at Rushford to fill the short Root River access-chain gap between the existing Lanesboro-Peterson and Rushford-Houston cards. The Houston gauge is downstream, so local visual checks remain important.
Put-in
Root River, Peterson Public Water Access SiteOpen mapPeterson and Rushford both resolve in Minnesota public-water-access GIS, but DNR Map 1 and the access GIS differ slightly on Rushford river-mile metadata. The route mileage follows DNR Map 1.
Take-out
Root River, Rushford Public Water Access SiteOpen mapPeterson is currently subject to a DNR state-water-trail alert for Mill Street Bridge reconstruction and portage needs once overhead work begins; confirm the access is usable before launching.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Peterson and Rushford both resolve in Minnesota public-water-access GIS, but DNR Map 1 and the access GIS differ slightly on Rushford river-mile metadata. The route mileage follows DNR Map 1.
- Peterson is currently subject to a DNR state-water-trail alert for Mill Street Bridge reconstruction and portage needs once overhead work begins; confirm the access is usable before launching.
- Use only the named public accesses and legal trail-town parking. Do not assume private or trail-adjacent banks are routine exits.
Watch for
- Submerged-dam caution areas mapped upstream of Rushford, bridge current, and old structure debris.
- Fresh wood, strainers, and fast rises after bluff-country rain.
- Cold water outside midsummer, low-water riffles, and private shoreland.
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.
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Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Root River nr Houston, 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 | 4.00 ft to 5.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 3.00 ft |
| High threshold | 7.00 ft |
| Data confidence 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 Root River near Houston |
| 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 map route shapePeterson RM 38.9 to Rushford RM 33.8
MN DNR Map 1 places Peterson carry-in, North Peterson Management Unit, submerged-dam cautions, and Rushford carry-in in sequence.
- Public access recordsPeterson WAS00265; Rushford WAS00264
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves both named Root River access sites with coordinates and public-access metadata.
- Official DNR bands3 / 4-5 / 7 ft
MN DNR interprets Houston as Scrapable below 3 ft, Low from 3 to 4, Medium from 4 to 5, High from 5 to 7, and Very High above 7.
- Current gauge check4.67 ft at 2026-07-23 08:45 CDT
The current MN DNR feed placed Houston inside the official medium band during this run.
- Corridor servicesTrail towns with lodging and campground support
The DNR Root segments page says Peterson and Rushford are among Root River towns with amenities including food, overnight lodging, and museums; camping still depends on current local rules.
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
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.
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
Root River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Root River?
Paddle Today watches Root River nr Houston, MN and treats 4.00 ft to 5.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Root River route start and end?
This route starts at Root River, Peterson Public Water Access Site and ends at Root River, Rushford Public Water Access Site, about About 5.1 mi by DNR Map 1 on the water.
Is this Root 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.