Des Moines River
Humboldt / Polk Co. · 525 mi · Class I
11,000CFS/ 10.40 ft
Above Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 1,000–8,000 CFS · USGS #05481650
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Iowa Water Trail · Ledges State Park · Des Moines Water Trails
Iowa's capital city river flows 525 miles from Minnesota to the Mississippi, passing through Fort Dodge, Des Moines, and Ottumwa. The Ledges State Park section features stunning sandstone canyon walls, while the Des Moines metro reach has been transformed into a world-class urban water trail.
Trip sections
Upper — Humboldt to Fort Dodge, 70 mi, prairie headwaters
Ledges State Park — Boone area, sandstone canyons
Des Moines metro — urban water trail with dam bypasses
Lower — Ottumwa to Keokuk, wide valley to Mississippi
Outfitters
Des Moines Water Trails Outfitters
Kayak rentals and guided urban paddles on the Des Moines River
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
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.