Kayak Love

Iowa · river

Cedar River at Cedar Rapids

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

96of 100

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Cedar River at Cedar Rapids
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Cedar Rapids skyline.jpg by Iowahwyman, CC BY-SA 3.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

8 mph

gusting to 16 mph

Air temp

69°F

1% chance of rain

River flow

2,630 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Sunday · 80

  • Today

    79

  • Wed

    34

  • Thu

    77

  • Fri

    50

  • Sat

    56

  • Sun

    80

    Best

  • Mon

    61

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
3a615
4a816
5a714
6a613
7a613
8a921
9a1021
10a1021
11a714
12p815

Is this flow normal for September 8?

Today's 2,630 cfs is 56% above the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 1,690 cfs, across 122 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-4

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

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