See all 7 routes on South Skunk River
Iowa | Central Iowa
South Skunk RiverRiver Valley Park to C.J. Shreck Access
Lower Story County South Skunk water-trail day from Ames to the C.J. Shreck Access near Cambridge, using the direct Ames gauge and official access chain.
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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
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.
Access map
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.
Road shuttle
Use a vehicle shuttle from C.J. Shreck Access on Highway 210 back to River Valley Park in Ames. Inspect C.J. Shreck first because the lower access is a simple county water-trail landing and 2026 access work may affect parking or the carry path.
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River Valley Park access, Ames to C.J. Shreck Access is about 13.0 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- 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.
More route and safety guidance
- Story County warns that sharp turns and other obstacles occur on many South Skunk sections and that dams in the Ames corridor require portage or careful route choice.
- The South Skunk is non-meandered through this corridor; use only signed public accesses and public parkland for stops.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
South Skunk River near Ames, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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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 Skunk River near Ames, IA |
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| Preferred range | 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 |
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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.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-22223 cfs / 3.85 ft at 2026-07-22 22:00 CDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- 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.
Other routes nearby
More on South Skunk River
All 7Nearby routes within 75 miles
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