See all 5 routes on Upper Iowa River
Iowa | Northeast Iowa
Upper Iowa RiverIverson Bridge Access to Kumpf Access
Lower Upper Iowa continuation from Iverson Bridge to Kumpf Access, using the direct Dorchester gauge, source-backed access coordinates, and riffle/bluff corridor guidance.
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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 Iverson Bridge and paddle the lower Upper Iowa toward Kumpf Access. This is the downstream continuation from the existing Lower-Dam-to-Iverson card and uses the direct Dorchester gauge.
Access map
Put-in
Iverson Bridge AccessIverson Bridge is the start of this card and the take-out for the upstream existing route; avoid leaving vehicles where they block bridge or access traffic.
Take-out
Kumpf AccessKumpf Access is the planned take-out. Do not continue into the final lower Upper Iowa corridor without staging a separate downstream shuttle.
Road shuttle
Stage Kumpf Access first, then launch from Iverson Bridge. Confirm the Kumpf take-out from land because lower-river access points can be easy to miss from the water.
Additional access notes
- The Dorchester gauge is downstream and direct for the lower corridor, but make a visual check for wood, depth, and landing condition before launching.
More route and safety guidance
- Kumpf is the planned take-out above the final lower-river corridor. Scout the landing and do not assume private banks or bridge shoulders are acceptable backups.
- The Upper Iowa is scenic but private-bank-sensitive. Use guide-listed accesses and public areas only unless you have permission.
Plan this paddle
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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
Upper Iowa River near Dorchester, 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 | Upper Iowa River near Dorchester, IA |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 300 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Miles Paddled Upper Iowa River VIII Dorchester-gauge recommendation |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route and coordinatesIverson Bridge to Kumpf Access
Miles Paddled Upper Iowa VIII identifies Iverson Bridge Road Access as the put-in and Kumpf Access as the take-out, publishing GPS coordinates 43.41256, -91.5769 for Iverson Bridge and 43.42727, -91.46262 for Kumpf Access.
- Threshold guidance300-350 cfs for a smooth ride
Miles Paddled says roughly 300 to 350 cfs at the Dorchester gauge is the preferred smooth-water target for this reach.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05388250 1,140 cfs / 8.25 ft
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.
- Official access-chain contextIverson Bridge and Kumpf named in Upper Iowa guide
The Upper Iowa River Paddler's Guide lists Iverson Bridge Access and Kumpf Access in the lower-river landmark/access chain.
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
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