Maquoketa River — Monmouth to Maquoketa: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Verdict · updated Aug 27, 7:15 PM UTC
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
Estimated range
1,120 cfs
11.5 ft gauge height
USGS gauge 05418500
Runnable 200 – 2,500 cfs
What this means today
At 1,120 cfs the Maquoketa River is sitting in the middle of the 200 cfs–2,500 cfs range for this reach, with 920 cfs of margin to the nearer edge — the most forgiving part of the window on the numbers alone.
Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 1,180 cfs to 1,120 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 1,170 cfs and 1,700 cfs, 31% lower at the end of the week than the start.
Paddling Monmouth to Maquoketa
Maquoketa River at Monmouth to Maquoketa is a 12-mile Flatwater float in Iowa — no rapids under normal flows, just moving water and the odd riffle. Most paddlers put in at Monmouth and take out at Maquoketa, 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 Maquoketa 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 05418500 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
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Flatwater
- Length
- 12 mi
- Float time
- ~5 hr
- Best months
- May–September
- Put-in
- Monmouth
- Take-out
- Maquoketa
Reading USGS gauge 05418500 — Maquoketa River near Maquoketa, IA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)
FAQ
- What water level is good for paddling Maquoketa River — Monmouth to Maquoketa?
- 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 Maquoketa River levels?
- We read USGS gauge 05418500 — 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 Maquoketa River — Monmouth to Maquoketa good for beginners?
- This is a flatwater section — no rapids under normal levels — so it's beginner-friendly when the gauge is in range. High water changes everything: cold, fast water is dangerous for anyone.
- When is the best time to paddle Maquoketa 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 Maquoketa River — Monmouth to Maquoketa?
- 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.