See all 7 routes on South Skunk River
Iowa | Central Iowa
South Skunk River
River Valley Park to C.J. Shreck Access
Check current paddling conditions for this South Skunk 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
Launch at River Valley Park and take out at C.J. Shreck for the lower Ames-to-Cambridge South Skunk run. This route uses the direct Ames gauge, but dams, constructed riffles, private banks, and fresh wood still drive the safety call.
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
River Valley Park access, AmesRiver Valley Park is also the 13th Street play-feature area. Start below or downstream of the feature unless your group has intentionally scouted and chosen the whitewater line.
Take-out
C.J. Shreck AccessThe lower route passes the South 16th Street, 265th Street, and Askew Bridge / Cambridge Pond access chain; use signed public access points only.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- River Valley Park is also the 13th Street play-feature area. Start below or downstream of the feature unless your group has intentionally scouted and chosen the whitewater line.
- The lower route passes the South 16th Street, 265th Street, and Askew Bridge / Cambridge Pond access chain; use signed public access points only.
- C.J. Shreck is on the north side of Highway 210 at the Skunk River. Confirm current parking, construction, and shoreline conditions before committing to the shuttle.
- The South Skunk is non-meandered here. Do not treat banks outside signed public access and park areas as public land.
Watch for
- Ames dam and rock-riffle features, especially around River Valley Park and the lower city corridor.
- Sharp turns, fresh sweepers, logjams, and muddy banks after storms.
- Low-water scraping below the CanWePaddle floor and faster, colder, debris-laden current above the selected high-water ceiling.
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 Skunk River near Ames, IA |
| 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 | 100 cfs to 1,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,500 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | CanWePaddle South Skunk Ames to Cambridge estimated range |
| 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.
- Current gauge check223 cfs / 3.85 ft at 2026-07-22 22:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current South Skunk near Ames discharge and stage during this run.
- Threshold range100-1,500 cfs
CanWePaddle ties the Ames-to-Cambridge section to USGS 05470000 and estimates a 100 to 1,500 cfs runnable window.
- Official access chainRiver Valley Park #227 to C.J. Shreck #212
Story County lists the lower Ames-to-Cambridge access sequence and identifies the South Skunk as a state-designated water trail with 11 access points.
- Take-out supportC.J. Shreck Access, 59627 Highway 210
MyCountyParks describes C.J. Shreck as a three-acre water-trail access on the Skunk River with stream fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.
- HazardsDams, sharp turns, obstacles, private banks
Story County and MyCountyParks warn about dam portages, sharp turns, obstacles, and private non-meandered banks on the water trail.
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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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
South Skunk River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling South Skunk River?
Paddle Today watches South Skunk River near Ames, IA and treats 100 cfs to 1,500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this South Skunk River route start and end?
This route starts at River Valley Park access, Ames and ends at C.J. Shreck Access, about About 13 mi on the water.
Is this South Skunk 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.