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Iowa | Northeast Iowa
Turkey River
Clermont Canoe Access to Gilbertson Park / Elgin
Check current paddling conditions for this Turkey 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 below the Clermont dam and take out at Gilbertson Park / Elgin for the upstream Turkey River Water Trail connector. The direct Eldorado gauge controls the score, while the official guide supplies the access and dam context.
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
Clermont Canoe Access #64BClermont has separate upstream dam take-out and downstream canoe-access context. Use Access #64B below the dam for this route.
Take-out
Gilbertson Park / Elgin access corridorThe water-trail guide places Valley Access between Clermont and Elgin; use it only when signs and parking are clear on the day of the trip.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Clermont has separate upstream dam take-out and downstream canoe-access context. Use Access #64B below the dam for this route.
- The water-trail guide places Valley Access between Clermont and Elgin; use it only when signs and parking are clear on the day of the trip.
- Gilbertson has more than one access-bank option in the guide. Pick the signed landing that matches current local use and water level.
Watch for
- The Clermont dam and portage boundary upstream of the put-in.
- Swift Class I riffles, fresh wood, bridge current, and fast rain-driven rises.
- Private banks outside signed public accesses and campground areas.
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 | Turkey River near Eldorado, 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 | 120 cfs to 1,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 120 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 Clermont to Elgin 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 check763 cfs / 6.52 ft at 2026-07-22 23:45 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Eldorado discharge and stage during this run.
- Threshold range120-1,500 cfs
CanWePaddle ties Clermont-to-Elgin to USGS 05411850 and estimates a 120 to 1,500 cfs runnable window.
- Official segmentClermont #64B to Elgin/Gilbertson #59A or #59B, about 5 to 8 miles by start choice
The Turkey River Water Trail guide names the official Clermont-to-Elgin/Gilbertson segment and warns users not to run the Clermont dam.
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
Turkey River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Turkey River?
Paddle Today watches Turkey River near Eldorado, IA and treats 120 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 Turkey River route start and end?
This route starts at Clermont Canoe Access #64B and ends at Gilbertson Park / Elgin access corridor, about About 8 mi on the water.
Is this Turkey 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.