Straight River — Owatonna to Faribault: Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Straight River · Class I · Minnesota
Current verdict
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
USGS gauge 05353800 · 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
- Owatonna (River Springs Park)
- Take-out
- Faribault (confluence with Cannon)
Reading USGS gauge 05353800 — STRAIGHT RIVER NEAR FARIBAULT, MN ↗
FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Straight River — Owatonna to Faribault?
This section is generally runnable at 182–1,640 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 Straight River levels?
We read USGS gauge 05353800 — 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 Straight River — Owatonna to Faribault 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 Straight 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.