What water level is good for paddling Raccoon River — Van Meter to Walnut Woods?

This section is generally runnable at 300–5,000 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 Raccoon River levels?

We read USGS gauge 05484500 — 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 Raccoon River — Van Meter to Walnut Woods 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 Raccoon River here?

Typically April–October, 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 Raccoon River — Van Meter to Walnut Woods?

This reach is about 10 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Raccoon River — Van Meter to Walnut Woods: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Flatwater10 mi · ~4 hrRaccoon RiverIowa

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 6:00 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

408 cfs

2.7 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 05484500

Runnable 300 – 5,000 cfs

03005,0005,940

What this means today

At 408 cfs the Raccoon River is inside the runnable range but only 108 cfs above the 300 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 barely moved, 441 cfs to 408 cfs. Daily means over the past 6 days have run between 458 cfs and 856 cfs, 46% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Van Meter to Walnut Woods

Raccoon River at Van Meter to Walnut Woods is a 10-mile Flatwater float in Iowa — no rapids under normal flows, just moving water and the odd riffle. Most paddlers put in at Van Meter and take out at Walnut Woods State Park, a trip that runs about 4 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 300–5,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the 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 05484500 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 April–October. 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: Flatwater
Length: 10 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Van Meter
Take-out: Walnut Woods State Park

Reading USGS gauge 05484500 — Raccoon River at Van Meter, IA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Raccoon River — Van Meter to Walnut Woods?: This section is generally runnable at 300–5,000 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 Raccoon River levels?: We read USGS gauge 05484500 — 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 Raccoon River — Van Meter to Walnut Woods 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 Raccoon River here?: Typically April–October, 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 Raccoon River — Van Meter to Walnut Woods?: This reach is about 10 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Too low · 124 cfs