Rum River — St. Francis to Anoka: Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Rum River · Class I · 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 05286000 · updated Jul 9, 8:00 AM UTC
7-day flow trend
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Class I
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- April–October
- Put-in
- St. Francis access
- Take-out
- Anoka (Rum River takeout)
Reading USGS gauge 05286000 — RUM RIVER NEAR ST. FRANCIS, MN ↗
FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Rum River — St. Francis to Anoka?
This section is generally runnable at 600–3,000 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 Rum River levels?
We read USGS gauge 05286000 — 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 Rum River — St. Francis to Anoka 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 Rum 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.