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 Oct 17, 4:30 PM UTC

High — use caution — rising fast

Flows are above the comfortable range. Expect strong current, pushy water, cold temperatures and fewer places to stop. Experienced paddlers only — many should wait.

Estimated range

1,250 cfs

3.8 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 05457700

Runnable 200 – 2,500 cfs

02002,5002,960

What this means today

the Cedar River is at 1,250 cfs right now, inside the range for this reach — but it is rising fast enough that the number above is not the number you will put on the water. On a reach climbing this quickly, check it again immediately before you launch.

Over the last 24 hours it has gone from 720 cfs to 1,250 cfs, 74% up. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 678 cfs and 843 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

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 · 1,560 cfs