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See all 3 routes on Straight River

Minnesota | Southern Minnesota

Straight River

Medford City Park to Kroghs Landing

Route planning details, access notes, and local verification guidance.

Route location

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DistanceAbout 7.0 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 2.5 hr to 4 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Straight River flows downstream from Bridge Street in Owatonna, Minnesota.
River contextStraight River in Owatonna river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Tim Kiser

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Conditions

Gauge history and hourly forecast

Use the gauge context and hourly forecast to verify local conditions before launching.

Gauge detail

Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

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Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

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Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
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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

On-water distanceAbout 7.0 miMedford City Park to Kroghs Landing
DifficultymoderateDNR describes the Straight as narrow and rocky with mild rapids, fast water, and obstructions. This split begins below Clinton Falls but still includes the former Walcott Mill Dam Class I-II feature just above Kroghs Landing.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage at Kroghs Landing, then launch from Medford City Park. This selected route starts below Clinton Falls, but the former Walcott Mill Dam rapid sits just above the take-out and should be scouted before committing.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use the named public accesses, follow Minnesota boating/PFD rules, and obey city, DNR, road-shoulder, and private-property postings.
CampingDay tripTreat this as a day trip. No designated campsite is selected between Medford and Kroghs Landing; use separate campground or lodging plans rather than informal private-bank camping.
SeasonApr-OctDNR says the Straight is best in spring and early summer and is often too low by July. Treat the downstream gauge as a corridor check and make a same-day visual call at Medford, especially after storms.

Plan ahead

Upcoming outlook

These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Run the DNR-recommended Medford-to-Kroghs section of the Straight River with a nearby downstream interpreted gauge. Expect a narrow rocky channel, changing wood, and a Class I-II former dam feature near the finish.

DirectionsApple MapsOpenStreetMap

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.

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Start

Put-in

Medford City Park access
Open map

Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Medford and Kroghs Landing with river-mile records and source-backed coordinates.

Finish

Take-out

Kroghs Landing
Open map

The Faribault gauge is downstream of the take-out, so pair it with a same-day depth and obstruction check at Medford.

Plan this segment

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Medford and Kroghs Landing with river-mile records and source-backed coordinates.
  • The Faribault gauge is downstream of the take-out, so pair it with a same-day depth and obstruction check at Medford.
  • Do not count on informal exits through private banks or farm fields between the two public accesses.

Watch for

  • Former Walcott Mill Dam Class I-II ledge hydraulics just above Kroghs Landing.
  • Rocky shallows, narrow bends, and trees or snags, especially after high water.
  • Very low July flows; DNR says the Straight is often too low by midsummer.

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.

The Straight River flows downstream from Bridge Street in Owatonna, Minnesota.
Straight River in Owatonna river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Tim Kiser
CC BY-SA 2.5

Score & sources

Data and sources

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.

Read quality
Checking live inputs.

Pulling the latest gauge and weather. Usually under 10 seconds.

Gauge inputChecking

Waiting on the gauge read.

Weather inputChecking

Waiting on weather.

Next stepChecking

Waiting on enough data to give the next step.

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.

Why
  • Checking evidence-strength notes.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteStraight River nr Faribault
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Target band220 cfs to 1,370 cfs
Low threshold182 cfs
High threshold1,640 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreMN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Straight River near Faribault
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
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 recommended one-way7.0 mi, Medford City Park to Kroghs Landing

    MN DNR lists Straight River Medford City Park Trailer Access to Kroghs Landing Carry-in Access as a recommended one-way paddle.

    Source

  • Public access recordsWAS02042 to WAS00186

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Medford and Kroghs Landing public access sites with coordinates and river-mile records.

    Source

  • Official DNR bands182 / 220-1,370 / 1,640 cfs

    MN DNR interprets the Faribault gauge as Scrapable below 182 cfs, Low from 182 to 220, Medium from 220 to 1,370, High from 1,370 to 1,640, and Very High above 1,640.

    Source

  • Current gauge check559 cfs at 2026-07-23 10:15 CDT

    The current MN DNR feed placed the downstream Faribault gauge in the official medium band during this run.

    Source

  • Safety contextNarrow rocky channel; former Walcott Mill Dam Class I-II

    DNR maps place Medford, Kroghs, the Faribault gauge, and the former Walcott Mill Dam rapid, and warn about rocky channels, dams, trees, snags, and July low water.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

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Photos

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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.

More in Minnesota

All 232 routes
Minnesota route guideBrowse every tracked Minnesota route.Southern MinnesotaJump to routes in this region.

More on Straight River

All 3
County Road 45 to Medford City ParkSouthern MinnesotaModerate · About 3.7 miKrogh's Landing to FaribaultSouthern MinnesotaModerate · 10 mi

Nearby routes by distance

Cannon RiverFaribault to Dundas · about 9 mi awayEasy · 13.75 miCannon RiverCannon River Wilderness Area to Riverside City Park, Northfield · about 13 mi awayEasy · About 8.5 miCannon RiverLake Byllesby Dam to Highway 61 · about 27 mi awayModerate · About 20.8 miCannon RiverRiverside Park to Miesville Ravine County Park · about 29 mi awayEasy · About 6.9 mi

Quick answers

Straight River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Straight River?

Paddle Today watches Straight River nr Faribault and treats 220 cfs to 1,370 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Straight River route start and end?

This route starts at Medford City Park access and ends at Kroghs Landing, about About 7.0 mi on the water.

Is this Straight 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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