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See all 3 routes on Straight River

Minnesota | Southern Minnesota

Straight River

Medford City Park to Kroghs Landing

Check current paddling conditions for this Straight River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.

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Today

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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.

Today's conditions

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TrendCheckingChecking 24h change
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RainLoadingRecent rain: Checking

Gauge

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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

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Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.

Access plan

Access, shuttle, and map

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
Start

Put-in

Medford City Park accessOpen map

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

Finish

Take-out

Kroghs LandingOpen map

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

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

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.

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Sources

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Read quality
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Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking

Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.

Why
  • Checking data confidence notes.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend

This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.

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WeekendChecking

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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
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WindChecking
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Target band220 cfs to 1,370 cfs
Low threshold182 cfs
High threshold1,640 cfs
Data confidence 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

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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

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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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