What water level is good for paddling North Raccoon River — Jefferson to Cooper?

This section is generally runnable at 150–2,000 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 North Raccoon River levels?

We read USGS gauge 05482500 — 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 North Raccoon River — Jefferson to Cooper 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 North Raccoon 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 North Raccoon River — Jefferson to Cooper?

This reach is about 7 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

North Raccoon River — Jefferson to Cooper: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I7 mi · ~3 hrNorth Raccoon RiverIowa

Warning · updated Oct 17, 3:15 PM UTC

Dangerous — do not paddle — rising fast

Flows are dangerously high. Do not paddle this section. Come back when the river drops.

Estimated range

3,510 cfs

8.9 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 05482500

Runnable 150 – 2,000 cfs

01502,0003,686

What this means today

At 3,510 cfs the North Raccoon River is 1,510 cfs over the 2,000 cfs ceiling for this reach — far enough past it that this is not a level to be on the water at. It is still climbing.

Over the last 24 hours it has gone from 2,580 cfs to 3,510 cfs, 36% up. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 1,780 cfs and 3,260 cfs, 15% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Jefferson to Cooper

North Raccoon River at Jefferson to Cooper is a 7-mile Class I run in Iowa — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Jefferson and take out at Cooper, a trip that runs about 3 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 150–2,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the North Raccoon 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 05482500 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: 7 mi
Float time: ~3 hr
Best months: May–September
Put-in: Jefferson
Take-out: Cooper

Reading USGS gauge 05482500 — North Raccoon River near Jefferson, IA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling North Raccoon River — Jefferson to Cooper?: This section is generally runnable at 150–2,000 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 North Raccoon River levels?: We read USGS gauge 05482500 — 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 North Raccoon River — Jefferson to Cooper 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 North Raccoon 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 North Raccoon River — Jefferson to Cooper?: This reach is about 7 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 1,600 cfs