Volga River
Fayette / Clayton Co. · 50 mi · Class I
699CFS/ 6.35 ft
Above Optimal
→Stable
Optimal: 100–600 CFS · USGS #05412400
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
50 mi
Length
Class I
Difficulty
100–600 cfs
Optimal
220 cfs
Avg Flow
198 cfs
Hist. Median
#05412400
USGS Gauge
Volga River State Recreation Area

A small, intimate Driftless stream flowing through the 5,500-acre Volga River State Recreation Area in northeast Iowa. The Volga offers quiet-water paddling through wooded valleys, past limestone outcrops, and alongside some of Iowa's best public land for hiking and mountain biking. The 15-mile SRA corridor and the 20-mile farm-valley reach to the Turkey River together make up a classic Driftless paddle.

Trip sections
Volga River SRA — 15 mi, state recreation area corridor
Lower Volga — SRA to Turkey River confluence, 20 mi, farm valley
Outfitters
Volga River SRA Office
Camping permits, trail maps, and river access information
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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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.