Cottonwood River — Flandrau to New Ulm: Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Cottonwood River · Class I · Minnesota
Current verdict
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.
USGS gauge 05317000 · updated Jul 9, 8:00 AM UTC
7-day flow trend
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Class I
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- April–September
- Put-in
- Flandrau State Park
- Take-out
- New Ulm (Riverside Park)
Reading USGS gauge 05317000 — COTTONWOOD RIVER NEAR NEW ULM, MN ↗
FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Cottonwood River — Flandrau to New Ulm?
This section is generally runnable at 150–2,190 cfs. 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 Cottonwood River levels?
We read USGS gauge 05317000 — 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 Cottonwood River — Flandrau to New Ulm 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 Cottonwood River here?
Typically April–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.