See all 8 routes on Wapsipinicon River
Iowa | Eastern Iowa
Wapsipinicon River
Knott's Landing / Three Elms to Quasqueton Campground
Check current paddling conditions for this Wapsipinicon River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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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
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
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
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
Launch below Independence and take out at Quasqueton for the most popular Buchanan County Wapsi canoeing stretch. Use the direct Independence gauge and avoid quickly rising or flood-stage water.
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.
Put-in
Knott's Landing / Three Elms launch corridorOpen mapThis route starts below the Independence dam complex. Do not drift through or launch above the dams as part of this card.
Take-out
Quasqueton Campground / Wapsipinicon River accessOpen mapIron Bridge Access is a source-backed midway split point if the group wants a shorter trip or needs a bailout.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- This route starts below the Independence dam complex. Do not drift through or launch above the dams as part of this card.
- Iron Bridge Access is a source-backed midway split point if the group wants a shorter trip or needs a bailout.
- The route uses practical map anchors for the Independence and Quasqueton launch corridors. On-site signs, current ramps, and park rules control the exact launch and landing.
- Powerboats and jet skis can appear near Independence, especially around the wider reservoir-style water above town.
Watch for
- Quick rises, flood-stage water, logs, cutbank strainers, rocks just below the surface, and shifting sandbars.
- Private banks outside public access points, public lands, or legal sandbar stops.
- Low water below about 150 cfs at Independence, when bony shallows and dragging become likely.
- High water above about 2,000 cfs at Independence, when the published range says the river becomes pushy and then dangerous.
Route gallery
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Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
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Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
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.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Wapsipinicon River at Independence, 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 | 150 cfs to 2,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 150 cfs |
| High threshold | 2,000 cfs |
| Data confidence behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | CanWePaddle Wapsipinicon Independence-to-Quasqueton 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.
- Official routeIndependence to Quasqueton
The Buchanan County Wapsipinicon River Water Trail guide calls Independence to Quasqueton the most popular canoeing stretch and says Iron Bridge can be used as a shorter put-in or take-out.
- Access optionsKnott's Landing or Three Elms to Quasqueton
Buchanan County water-trail material says paddlers can start below Independence at Knott's Landing or Three Elms, both with parking and concrete ramps, and finish at the Quasqueton campground/river access corridor.
- Published range150 to 2,000 cfs
CanWePaddle publishes a route-specific estimated runnable range for Independence to Quasqueton using USGS 05421000.
- Current gauge checkUSGS 05421000 at 1,160 cfs / 5.90 ft
USGS Water Services returned Wapsipinicon River at Independence values of 1,160 cfs and 5.90 ft at 2026-07-22 17:30 CDT.
- SafetyRising water, dams, rocks, and logs
The water-trail guide warns paddlers away from quickly rising or flood-stage water, stresses dam hazards, and tells paddlers to watch for rocks and logs just below the surface.
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
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.
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More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Wapsipinicon River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Wapsipinicon River?
Paddle Today watches Wapsipinicon River at Independence, IA and treats 150 cfs to 2,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Wapsipinicon River route start and end?
This route starts at Knott's Landing / Three Elms launch corridor and ends at Quasqueton Campground / Wapsipinicon River access, about About 9 mi on the water.
Is this Wapsipinicon 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
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.