See all 5 routes on Upper Iowa River
Iowa | Driftless Area
Upper Iowa RiverLower Dam Access to Iverson Bridge Access
Long downstream Upper Iowa continuation from the signed Lower Dam access to Iverson Bridge, with official paddler-guide access timing, dam-boundary discipline, and direct Decorah gauge data.
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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 below Lower Dam and take out at Iverson Bridge for the downstream Upper Iowa continuation east of Decorah. Use the direct Decorah gauge as a low-water check and avoid rising-water wood exposure.
Access map
Put-in
Lower Dam AccessUse the Lower Dam Access below the dam. Do not launch upstream or include the dam portage in this route.
Take-out
Iverson Bridge AccessCanoe Creek and Iverson Bottoms are mapped intermediate accesses, but verify current road, parking, and bank condition before relying on either as a bailout.
Road shuttle
Stage Iverson Bridge first, then drive back to Lower Dam Access. Decide before launch whether Canoe Creek or Iverson Bottoms are acceptable bailout points for the group.
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Lower Dam Access to Iverson Bridge Access is about 15.8 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- The route is long enough that wind, low-water scraping, and daylight can matter more than the Class I rating suggests.
More route and safety guidance
- This is a 15.75-mile rural day with limited services. Canoe Creek and Iverson Bottoms are useful source-backed access references, but do not assume every bank is public.
- Avoid rising water, fresh wood, and cold-water shoulder-season trips without a capable group and a daylight plan.
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 at Decorah, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
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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- Checking evidence cautions.
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 at Decorah, IA |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
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| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 245 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 VII Dorchester/Decorah-gauge observation |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather 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 · 2026-07-23981 cfs / 2.80 ft at 2026-07-23 00:45 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.
- Route-specific water note245 cfs worked with occasional scraping; 300-400 cfs smoother
Miles Paddled recorded the Lower-Dam-to-Iverson trip at 245 cfs and recommends 300 to 400 cfs for a smoother ride.
- Official access chainLower Dam Access, Canoe Creek, Iverson Bottoms, Iverson Bridge
The Upper Iowa River Paddler’s Guide maps Lower Dam Access to Canoe Creek Access, Iverson Bottoms Access, and Iverson Bridge Access with paddle-time context.
- Dam and corridor contextThree upper-corridor dams must be portaged or avoided
Iowa DNR Fish Iowa says the Upper Iowa is a paddlers’ dream but identifies Lidtke Mill, Upper Dam, and Lower Dam as dams in this stretch that must be portaged around.
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 Upper Iowa River
All 5Nearby routes within 75 miles
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