See all 2 routes on South Fork Crow River
Minnesota | Twin Cities West Metro
South Fork Crow RiverRick Johnson Park to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
Long west-metro Crow River day that starts below the Watertown dam, passes Delano, and finishes at the Lake Rebecca Crow River carry-in. DNR recommends the exact trip, and the Delano DNR gauge gives it an official level ladder.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
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.
Access map
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.
Road shuttle
Plan a full-day two-car shuttle from Watertown to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve. The take-out is on the North Fork side near the confluence, so review the DNR map before launching.
Additional access notes
- 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.
More route and safety guidance
- Fallen trees, submerged snags, overhanging branches, and faster current after rain are the main hazards on wooded bends.
- Private shoreland limits stops; use only public landings or clearly legal sites and identify the Lake Rebecca Crow River carry-in before launch.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
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 | South Fork Crow River at Delano, Bridge Ave |
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| Preferred range | 200 cfs to 600 cfs |
| Low threshold | 26 cfs |
| High threshold | 800 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
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| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for South Fork Crow River at Delano |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
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.
Other routes nearby
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All 2Nearby routes within 75 miles
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