Iowa · river
Des Moines River at Estherville
Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.
Send it
Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions
Wind
9 mph
gusting to 14 mph
Air temp
83°F
13% chance of rain
River flow
1,350 cfs
very high for this date
Best day to paddle this week
Today · 92
Today
92
83°
Best
Tue
59
81°
Wed
64
85°
Thu
78
85°
Fri
70
90°
Sat
89
82°
Sun
55
72°
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| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 4p | 9 | 13 |
| 5p | 10 | 15 |
| 6p | 10 | 13 |
| 7p | 8 | 13 |
| 8p | 6 | 11 |
| 9p | 6 | 14 |
| 10p | 7 | 15 |
| 11p | 7 | 14 |
| 12a | 8 | 16 |
| 1a | 9 | 17 |
| 2a | 10 | 16 |
| 3a | 7 | 18 |
Is this flow normal for August 17?
Today's 1,350 cfs is 1724% above the median for this date — which counts as very high water here.
The median flow on this date is 74 cfs, across 42 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.
Why this score
- Wind — 9 mph — noticeable but manageable-7
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.
- 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 05476500
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata