Upper Iowa River near Dorchester, IA: river conditions
USGS gauge 05388250 · near Eitzen, MN
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| 24-hour trend | … |
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7-day flow
NWS forecast for this spot
Numbers are provisional real-time data. We don't rate rivers as safe or unsafe. Check local conditions, posted signs and official advisories (NWS warnings, park and dam-release notices) before you launch.
Kayak types for this river
We don't have verified river-class or character data for this stretch, so this is based only on USGS flow. Typical flow is about 377 cfs (median of daily medians, USGS daily statistics 1939–2026). Flow doesn't swing widely by season, so recreational sit-inside, sit-on-top, fishing and tandem kayaks can suit it at normal levels (REI kayak guide). Whitewater sections need whitewater boats and skills.
- Recreational sit-inside: Pelican Argo 100X EXO (max 275 lb)
- Sit-on-top: Pelican Bandit 100NXT (max 300 lb)
- Fishing: Eddyline Sandpiper 130 (max 390 lb)
- Tandem: Pelican Alliance 136T (max 500 lb)
Check today's conditions for your kayak
Flow, wind, water temperature, flood stage and NWS alerts
Documented hazards near this gauge
Dams on this river within 5 miles of the gauge, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Inventory of Dams (updated 2026-10-23):
- English Bench Watershed Site 9 (NID IA00086, 38 ft high, 2.3 mi from the gauge) · Map
- English Bench Watershed Site 2 (NID IA00082, 27 ft high, 2.5 mi from the gauge) · Map
- English Bench Watershed Site 1 (NID IA00081, 34 ft high, 2.8 mi from the gauge) · Map
- English Bench Watershed Site 4 (NID IA00083, 34 ft high, 2.8 mi from the gauge) · Map
- English Bench Watershed Site 7 (NID IA00085, 33 ft high, 2.9 mi from the gauge) · Map
- English Bench Watershed Site 8 (NID IA02673, 34 ft high, 3.0 mi from the gauge) · Map
- English Bench Watershed Site 5 (NID IA00084, 47 ft high, 3.2 mi from the gauge) · Map
Tip: Portage around dams. Low-head dams can form a recirculating current at the base that is hard to see from upstream and hard to escape; rescuers should throw a line from shore rather than approach by boat (Ohio DNR; Indiana DNR).
When flow is high: above the 90th percentile for the date or near NWS flood stage, expect more floating debris and strainers (downed trees that let water through but trap people and boats). Steer well clear of them (PA Fish and Boat Commission). Today's check flags this.
Wildlife
No documented records of the wildlife we track (bears, moose, bison, alligators, cottonmouths) within 25 km in openly licensed GBIF data.
Water quality
We don't yet have harmful algal bloom (HAB) advisories for this spot. Check the Iowa HAB or beach advisory program before contact with the water, and keep pets out of discolored or scummy water (EPA harmful algal blooms).
Cold water
Shown when this gauge reports water temperature.
Iowa paddling rules
Registration, permits, life jackets and AIS stickers
Float time estimator
How long a stretch of river might take
Cold water and life jacket guide
From NWS and Coast Guard guidance
Data: USGS (provisional, real-time; percentiles from USGS daily statistics 1939–2026) · Forecast: NOAA/NWS.