Zumbro River — Zumbro Falls to Kellogg: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Verdict · updated Aug 19, 12:30 PM UTC
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
5.5 ft
USGS gauge 05374000
Runnable 5.2 – 10.5 ft
What this means today
At 5.5 ft the Zumbro River is inside the runnable range but only 0.3 ft above the 5.2 ft 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, 5.4 ft to 5.5 ft.
Paddling Zumbro Falls to Kellogg
Zumbro River at Zumbro Falls to Kellogg is a Class I run in Minnesota — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Zumbro Falls access and take out at Kellogg landing.
Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 5.2–10.5 ft. Much below that and the Zumbro 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 05374000 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 April–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 I
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- April–September
- Put-in
- Zumbro Falls access
- Take-out
- Kellogg landing
Reading USGS gauge 05374000 — ZUMBRO RIVER AT ZUMBRO FALLS, MN ↗
FAQ
- What water level is good for paddling Zumbro River — Zumbro Falls to Kellogg?
- This section is generally runnable at 5.2–10.5 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 Zumbro River levels?
- We read USGS gauge 05374000 — 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 Zumbro River — Zumbro Falls to Kellogg 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 Zumbro 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.