See all 2 routes on Whitewater River
Minnesota | Southeast Minnesota
Whitewater RiverCounty Highway 26 / Elba to Beaver
Official MN DNR recommended Whitewater section from the County Highway 26 / Elba carry-in to Beaver, using the direct Beaver interpreted gauge and a conservative wood-and-logjam safety posture.
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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 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.
Access map
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.
Road shuttle
Stage Beaver first, then drive back to the Elba / County Highway 26 access. Confirm parking, river visibility, and current wood before launching.
Additional access notes
- Do not use informal private banks or WMA edges as routine stops.
More route and safety guidance
- Scout strainers and tight bends from shore when the line is not obvious. Do not let a medium gauge reading override visible deadfall.
- Use only the Elba / County 26 and Beaver public accesses for the normal plan; private banks and WMA edges are not routine stops.
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Conditions
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Recent notes from paddlers
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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 | Whitewater River nr Beaver, CSAH30 |
| Gauge elevation | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 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 | 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 |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
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.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23693.25 ft at 2026-07-23 21:45 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.
- 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.
Other routes nearby
More on Whitewater River
All 2Nearby routes within 75 miles
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