See all 2 routes on South Fork Crow River
Minnesota | Twin Cities West Metro
South Fork Crow River
Rick Johnson Park to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
Check current paddling conditions for this South Fork Crow 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
Start below the Watertown dam at Rick Johnson Park and finish at the Lake Rebecca Crow River carry-in. This is the DNR-recommended full-day South Fork Crow trip through Delano.
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
South Fork Crow River boat landing / Rick Johnson Park trailer accessThe put-in is below the Watertown dam; do not launch upstream of the dam or improvise around dam infrastructure.
Take-out
Lake Rebecca Park Reserve Crow River carry-in accessLake Rebecca is a large park reserve, so identify the Crow River carry-in and parking area before committing to the shuttle.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The put-in is below the Watertown dam; do not launch upstream of the dam or improvise around dam infrastructure.
- Lake Rebecca is a large park reserve, so identify the Crow River carry-in and parking area before committing to the shuttle.
- The route starts on the South Fork and finishes on the North Fork near the confluence, which can be confusing if you only skim the map.
Watch for
- Fallen trees, submerged snags, and overhanging branches on wooded bends.
- Faster current after significant rainfall even when the river is usually gentle.
- Private shoreland; stop only at public landings or clearly legal sites.
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 | South Fork Crow River at Delano, Bridge Ave |
| 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 | 200 cfs to 600 cfs |
| Low threshold | 26 cfs |
| High threshold | 800 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 South Fork Crow River at Delano |
| 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 bands26 / 200-600 / 800 cfs
MN DNR interprets the Delano reading as Scrapable below 26 cfs, Low from 26 to 200, Medium from 200 to 600, High from 600 to 800, and Very High above 800.
- Recommended trip14.3 river miles
MN DNR recommends Rick Johnson Park trailer access to Lake Rebecca Regional Park carry-in access as the South Fork Crow day trip.
- Gauge placementBridge Avenue in Delano
The DNR South Fork Crow map places the river-level gauge at Bridge Avenue in Delano, directly on the recommended route corridor.
- Take-out supportCrow River carry-in access
Three Rivers Park District says Lake Rebecca Park Reserve offers carry-in access to the Crow River.
- Primary cautionsDam start, wood, private shoreland
The DNR map places the put-in below the Watertown dam and warns paddlers to watch river levels, avoid dead and overhanging trees, and stay off private property.
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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More routes to check next
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Quick answers
South Fork Crow River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling South Fork Crow River?
Paddle Today watches South Fork Crow River at Delano, Bridge Ave and treats 200 cfs to 600 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this South Fork Crow River route start and end?
This route starts at South Fork Crow River boat landing / Rick Johnson Park trailer access and ends at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve Crow River carry-in access, about 14.3 mi on the water.
Is this South Fork Crow 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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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.