Long Prairie River — Long Prairie to Motley: Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Long Prairie River · Class I · Minnesota
Current verdict
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
USGS gauge 05245100 · updated Jul 9, 8:15 AM UTC
7-day flow trend
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Class I
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- April–September
- Put-in
- Long Prairie access
- Take-out
- Motley area access
Reading USGS gauge 05245100 — LONG PRAIRIE RIVER AT LONG PRAIRIE, MN ↗
FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Long Prairie River — Long Prairie to Motley?
This section is generally runnable at 53–650 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 Long Prairie River levels?
We read USGS gauge 05245100 — 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 Long Prairie River — Long Prairie to Motley 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 Long Prairie 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.