Kettle River — Rutledge to Banning State Park: Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Kettle River · Class II · Minnesota
Current verdict
Too low to paddle
Not enough water to float well — expect scraping and walking. Wait for rain or a dam release.
USGS gauge 05336700 · updated Jul 9, 8:00 AM UTC
7-day flow trend
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Class II
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- April–July
- Put-in
- Rutledge access
- Take-out
- Banning State Park (Sandstone)
Reading USGS gauge 05336700 — KETTLE RIVER BELOW SANDSTONE, MN ↗
FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Kettle River — Rutledge to Banning State Park?
This section is generally runnable at 800–2,000 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 Kettle River levels?
We read USGS gauge 05336700 — 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 Kettle River — Rutledge to Banning State Park good for beginners?
This section is rated Class II. 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 Kettle River here?
Typically April–July, 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.