Root River — Rushford to Houston: Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Root River · Class I · Minnesota
Current verdict
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
USGS gauge 05385000 · updated Jul 9, 7:45 AM UTC
7-day flow trend
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Class I
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- April–October
- Put-in
- Rushford access
- Take-out
- Houston (Root River access)
Reading USGS gauge 05385000 — ROOT RIVER NEAR HOUSTON, MN ↗
FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Root River — Rushford to Houston?
This section is generally runnable at 3–7 ft. 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 Root River levels?
We read USGS gauge 05385000 — 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 Root River — Rushford to Houston 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 Root 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.