Vermilion River — Buyck to Crane Lake: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Verdict · updated Aug 27, 7:30 PM UTC
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
65 cfs
4.1 ft gauge height
USGS gauge 05129115
Runnable 37 – 1,620 cfs
What this means today
At 65 cfs the Vermilion River is inside the runnable range but only 28 cfs above the 37 cfs floor, so it is sitting at the shallow end of what this reach runs at. A dry few days would take it under.
Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 70 cfs to 65 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 54 cfs and 71 cfs, ending roughly where it started.
Paddling Buyck to Crane Lake
Vermilion River at Buyck to Crane Lake is a Class II run in Minnesota — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Buyck access and take out at Crane Lake landing.
Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 37–1,620 cfs. Much below that and the Vermilion River gets low and bony, so you end up scraping gravel and walking the shallows; well above the top of the range it turns fast, cold and pushy, which is a more serious day than most casual boaters want. We read USGS gauge 05129115 about every 30 minutes and compare the live number to that window, so the verdict at the top of this page reflects conditions right now rather than a monthly average.
Flows here are usually most dependable May–September. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.
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.