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Iowa | Central Iowa
South Skunk RiverAmes 13th Street Play Feature
Compact South Skunk play-park session at the 13th Street mitigated low-head dam in North River Valley Park, with public City of Ames access and a direct Ames gauge.
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Use the 13th Street mitigated low-head-dam feature in North River Valley Park for a compact South Skunk whitewater skills session. American Whitewater ties the feature to the South Skunk near Ames gauge and describes 400+ cfs as the level where surfing and spins appear.
Access map
Put-in
13th Street mitigated play featureThis is a play feature, not a shuttle reach. Use the mitigated feature itself for play, then follow the park carry to the separate River Valley Park #227 public paddling access.
Take-out
River Valley Park #227 public paddling accessIowa DNR Paddling Access Sites feature WA-835 / OBJECTID 39216 identifies the separate River Valley Park public paddling access; its access-site geometry is not the 13th Street play-feature coordinate.
Road shuttle
No vehicle shuttle is needed for normal play sessions. Park at River Valley Park on 13th Street, scout from shore, and use the public park access and walk-back paths for repeated laps.
Additional access notes
- City of Ames lists boat access at River Valley Park, and Story County lists River Valley Park #227 as a South Skunk River Water Trail access, but paddlers should still follow posted signs and avoid informal private-bank exits.
More route and safety guidance
- American Whitewater notes shallow features and reports tubing is not advised; use whitewater skill and protective gear.
- High or rising water, muddy water, and debris can make the feature less forgiving.
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South Skunk River near Ames, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
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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
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| Gauge site | South Skunk River near Ames, IA |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 400 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
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| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater South Skunk 13th Street play-feature guidance |
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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.
- Public park accessRiver Valley Park / 725 E 13th Street
The City of Ames lists River Valley Park at 725 E 13th Street with off-street parking, restrooms, and boat access.
- Water-trail accessRiver Valley Park #227
Story County lists River Valley Park as South Skunk River Water Trail Access #227 and notes rock-riffle construction at River Valley Park.
- Feature description13th Street mitigated low-head dam
American Whitewater says the 2021 Iowa DNR mitigation converted the former dam into fish and paddler passage channels in North River Valley Park off 13th Street.
- Play threshold400+ cfs
American Whitewater says high-water events above 400 cfs on the South Skunk gauge, or river-right wall-gauge levels over 4 ft, produce surf, spin, and cartwheel opportunities.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 05470000
USGS operates South Skunk River near Ames on the same river at W Riverside Road, upstream of the 13th Street feature in the Ames corridor.
- Hazard caveatShallow rock feature
American Whitewater cautions that the features are shallow and care should be taken when rolling; a user report specifically warns tubing is not advised at any level.
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
More on South Skunk River
All 7Nearby routes within 75 miles
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