Maquoketa River
Jones / Jackson Co. · 150 mi · Class I–III
2,200CFS/ 13.03 ft
Optimal↓Falling (-140 cfs/hr)· -220 cfs in 3h
Optimal: 400–2,500 CFS · USGS #05418500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Backbone State Park · Iowa Water Trail
The Maquoketa carves through the most dramatic gorge in Iowa at Backbone State Park — Iowa's oldest state park (1920), where 90-foot dolomite bluffs line a narrow Class II–III canyon. Below the gorge, the river widens through rolling farmland and hardwood bottomlands to the Mississippi. A surprisingly diverse paddling experience for the Corn Belt.
Trip sections
Backbone State Park gorge — 5 mi, Class II–III, dramatic canyon
Manchester to Monticello — 40 mi, Class I–II riffles and pools
Monticello to Maquoketa — 50 mi, wide prairie river
Outfitters
Backbone State Park
Camping, cabins, and river access in the gorge area
Maquoketa River Paddle Sports
Kayak and canoe rentals for water trail sections
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
See 10 years of flow patterns for this river — historical analysis is a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
Your Optimal Range
Set your personal optimal CFS window per river — custom ranges are a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
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.