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 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 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.
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
Knott's Landing / Three Elms launch corridorThis 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 accessIron Bridge Access is a source-backed midway split point if the group wants a shorter trip or needs a bailout.
Plan this segment
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
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 | 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 |
| Evidence strength 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
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
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.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.