Cedar River
Black Hawk Co. · 300 mi · Class I
25,800CFS/ 10.90 ft
Flood
→Stable
Optimal: 500–4,000 CFS · USGS #05464500
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
300 mi
Length
Class I
Difficulty
500–4,000 cfs
Optimal
3,200 cfs
Avg Flow
2,880 cfs
Hist. Median
#05464500
USGS Gauge
Iowa Water Trail · Cedar River Greenbelt

Iowa's longest interior river stretches 300 miles through the agricultural heartland, passing through Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Cedar Rapids. Broad riffles, wooded islands, and surprisingly diverse fisheries make the Cedar a year-round paddling destination and one of Iowa's most accessible water trails.

Trip sections
Austin MN to Charles City — 60 mi, upper headwaters
Charles City to Waterloo — 80 mi, Class I riffles and parks
Waterloo to Cedar Rapids — 80 mi, wide prairie river
Cedar Rapids to Columbus Junction — 80 mi, lower valley
Outfitters
Cedar Valley Paddlesports
Kayak and canoe rentals for Cedar River water trail
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.