See all 2 routes on Whitewater River
Minnesota | Southeast Minnesota
Whitewater River
County Highway 26 / Elba to Beaver
Check current paddling conditions for this Whitewater 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 at the Elba / County Highway 26 access and take out at Beaver for DNR's 6.2-mile recommended Whitewater section. The Beaver gauge is direct and currently medium, but wood and logjams remain the real field check.
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
Whitewater River, Elba Public Water Access SiteElba and Beaver resolve as Minnesota public-water-access GIS records, but both are small carry-in sites with limited services.
Take-out
Whitewater River, Beaver Public Water Access SiteThis route stops at Beaver before the lower Beaver-to-Weaver reach that DNR calls unsuitable for novice paddlers.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Elba and Beaver resolve as Minnesota public-water-access GIS records, but both are small carry-in sites with limited services.
- This route stops at Beaver before the lower Beaver-to-Weaver reach that DNR calls unsuitable for novice paddlers.
- Do not use informal private banks or WMA edges as routine stops.
Watch for
- Strainers, tight bends, deadfall, and occasional logjam portages.
- Fast rises after rain and pushy current around wood when the Beaver gauge climbs.
- Low-water scraping, cold water, and ecological sensitivity in the Whitewater corridor.
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 | Whitewater River nr Beaver, CSAH30 |
| Gauge elevation | Checking |
| Discharge | 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 | 692.30 ft to 697.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 690.00 ft |
| High threshold | 698.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Whitewater River near Beaver |
| 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 recommended routeCounty Hwy 26 RM 16.4 to Beaver RM 10.2, 6.2 miles
MN DNR's recommended paddling list identifies County Highway 26 to Beaver as a 6.2-mile Whitewater River recommended section.
- Public access recordsWAS00252 to WAS02183
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves the Elba / County 26 access and Beaver access with coordinates and river-mile context.
- Official DNR bands690 / 692.3-697 / 698 ft gauge elevation
MN DNR interprets the Beaver gauge elevation as Scrapable below 690 ft, Low from 690 to 692.3, Medium from 692.3 to 697, High from 697 to 698, and Very High above 698.
- Current gauge check693.25 ft at 2026-07-23 21:45 CDT
The current MN DNR feed placed Beaver inside the official medium band during this run.
- Camping and safetyNo campsites or rest areas
MN DNR says the Whitewater has no campsites or rest areas, asks users to protect the ecological integrity of the river, and warns about trees and occasional log jams below Beaver.
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
Whitewater River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Whitewater River?
Paddle Today watches Whitewater River nr Beaver, CSAH30 and treats 692.30 ft to 697.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Whitewater River route start and end?
This route starts at Whitewater River, Elba Public Water Access Site and ends at Whitewater River, Beaver Public Water Access Site, about 6.2 mi on the water.
Is this Whitewater 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.