Vermilion River — Buyck to Crane Lake: Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Vermilion River · Class II · Minnesota
Current verdict
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
USGS gauge 05129115 · updated Jul 9, 8:30 AM UTC
7-day flow trend
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Class II
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- May–September
- Put-in
- Buyck access
- Take-out
- Crane Lake landing
Reading USGS gauge 05129115 — VERMILION RIVER NR CRANE LAKE, MN ↗
FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Vermilion River — Buyck to Crane Lake?
This section is generally runnable at 37–1,620 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 Vermilion River levels?
We read USGS gauge 05129115 — 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 Vermilion River — Buyck to Crane Lake 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 Vermilion River here?
Typically May–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.