What water level is good for paddling Cedar River — Charles City to Nashua?

This section is generally runnable at 200–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.

How do I check Cedar River levels?

We read USGS gauge 05457700 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.

Is Cedar River — Charles City to Nashua good for beginners?

This section is rated Class I. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.

When is the best time to paddle Cedar River here?

Typically May–September, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.

How long does it take to float Cedar River — Charles City to Nashua?

This reach is about 12 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Cedar River — Charles City to Nashua: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I12 mi · ~5 hrCedar RiverIowa

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 3:00 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

366 cfs

2.5 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 05457700

Runnable 200 – 2,500 cfs

02002,5002,960

What this means today

At 366 cfs the Cedar River is inside the runnable range but only 166 cfs above the 200 cfs floor, so it is sitting at the shallow end of what this reach runs at. A dry few days would take it under.

Over the last 24 hours it has gone from 415 cfs to 366 cfs, 12% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 418 cfs and 569 cfs, 27% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Charles City to Nashua

Cedar River at Charles City to Nashua is a 12-mile Class I run in Iowa — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Charles City and take out at Nashua, a trip that runs about 5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 200–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Cedar River gets low and bony, so you end up scraping gravel and walking the shallows; well above the top of the range it turns fast, cold and pushy, which is a more serious day than most casual boaters want. We read USGS gauge 05457700 about every 30 minutes and compare the live number to that window, so the verdict at the top of this page reflects conditions right now rather than a monthly average.

Flows here are usually most dependable May–September. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.

7-day flow trend

Daily mean flow (cfs), past 7 days. Shaded band = runnable range.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class I
Length: 12 mi
Float time: ~5 hr
Best months: May–September
Put-in: Charles City
Take-out: Nashua

Reading USGS gauge 05457700 — Cedar River at Charles City, IA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Cedar River — Charles City to Nashua?: This section is generally runnable at 200–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.
How do I check Cedar River levels?: We read USGS gauge 05457700 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.
Is Cedar River — Charles City to Nashua good for beginners?: This section is rated Class I. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.
When is the best time to paddle Cedar River here?: Typically May–September, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.
How long does it take to float Cedar River — Charles City to Nashua?: This reach is about 12 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 743 cfs