What water level is good for paddling South Raccoon River — Redfield to Van Meter?

This section is generally runnable at 150–2,500 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 South Raccoon River levels?

We read USGS gauge 05484000 — 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 South Raccoon River — Redfield to Van Meter 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 South 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 South Raccoon River — Redfield to Van Meter?

This reach is about 13 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

South Raccoon River — Redfield to Van Meter: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I13 mi · ~5 hrSouth Raccoon RiverIowa

Verdict · updated Aug 24, 4:45 AM UTC

Too low to paddle

Not enough water to float well — expect scraping and walking. Wait for rain or a dam release.

Estimated range

147 cfs

2.4 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 05484000

Runnable 150 – 2,500 cfs

01502,5002,970

What this means today

At 147 cfs the South Raccoon River is 3 cfs short of the 150 cfs this reach needs to float — that is the gap between today's reading and the bottom of the runnable range, not a small margin you can paddle through.

Over the last 24 hours it has gone from 161 cfs to 147 cfs, 9% down. Daily means over the past 6 days have run between 172 cfs and 441 cfs, 61% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Redfield to Van Meter

South Raccoon River at Redfield to Van Meter is a 13-mile Class I run in Iowa — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Redfield and take out at Van Meter, 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 150–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the South 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 05484000 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: 13 mi
Float time: ~5 hr
Best months: May–September
Put-in: Redfield
Take-out: Van Meter

Reading USGS gauge 05484000 — South Raccoon River at Redfield, IA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling South Raccoon River — Redfield to Van Meter?: This section is generally runnable at 150–2,500 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 South Raccoon River levels?: We read USGS gauge 05484000 — 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 South Raccoon River — Redfield to Van Meter 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 South 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 South Raccoon River — Redfield to Van Meter?: This reach is about 13 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 · 529 cfs