Minnesota · river
Cottonwood River near New Ulm
USGS monitoring location. Launch access and paddling suitability have not been verified.
Weather comparison · not a safety rating
River reading unavailable
Current river flow is unavailable or over an hour old. Weather alone cannot confirm conditions on this water.
Weather observation: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT.
River observation: unavailable.
Page checked: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 18:04:42 GMT. Readings older than one hour are not used for the current score.
Wind
10 mph
gusting to 23 mph
Air temp
68°F
70% chance of rain
River flow
Unavailable
USGS has not returned a fresh reading. See the gauge link below.
Weather outlook
Wednesday · 100
Tue
48
68°
Wed
100
73°
Best
Thu
66
66°
Fri
90
61°
Sat
55
69°
Sun
73
62°
Mon
83
64°
Compares forecast wind, air temperature and rain. Does not assess river flow, swell, currents, water temperature or launch access. All times are local to this location.
Wind, next 12 hours
mph| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 1p | 10 | 23 |
| 2p | 14 | 28 |
| 3p | 7 | 17 |
| 4p | 6 | 20 |
| 5p | 4 | 17 |
| 6p | 7 | 23 |
| 7p | 6 | 17 |
| 8p | 3 | 12 |
| 9p | 5 | 14 |
| 10p | 8 | 14 |
| 11p | 7 | 13 |
| 12a | 5 | 13 |
Current score unavailable
We don't have launch notes for this one
This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, and uses available public readings. 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.
- Paddler discussion on Reddit
Trip reports and local warnings, straight from the source
- Search American Whitewater
Rapid classifications and gauge-linked run descriptions
- Satellite view and access roads
Check parking, put-ins, and what the banks actually look like
- Video from this water
The fastest way to see the character of a run before you drive
- USGS gauge 05317000
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata