Kayak Love

Iowa · river

Cedar River at Blairs Ferry Road at Palo

Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.

97of 100

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Wind

8 mph

gusting to 16 mph

Air temp

68°F

1% chance of rain

River flow

2,760 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Sunday · 81

  • Today

    76

  • Wed

    40

  • Thu

    77

  • Fri

    49

  • Sat

    54

  • Sun

    81

    Best

  • Mon

    51

Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
1a816
2a714
3a715
4a1017
5a815
6a714
7a713
8a1020
9a1121
10a818
11a714
12p715

Is this flow normal for September 8?

Today's 2,760 cfs is 22% above the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 2,270 cfs, across 16 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind8 mph — noticeable but manageable-3

We don't have launch notes for this one

This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.

We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.

Do your own homework

We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.

Nearby water

All paddling spots in Iowa