Iowa · river
Des Moines River at Ottumwa
USGS monitoring location. Launch access and paddling suitability have not been verified.
Weather comparison · not a safety rating
Favorable weather
Weather score out of 100
Weather only. This is a monitoring station, not a verified launch. Access, hazards and suitable flow are unknown.
Weather observation: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:00:00 GMT.
River observation: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 01:50:00 GMT.
Page checked: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:04:36 GMT. Readings older than one hour are not used for the current score.
Wind
6 mph
gusting to 13 mph
Air temp
68°F
0% chance of rain
River flow
24,800 cfs
very high for this date
Weather outlook
Monday · 100
Mon
100
81°
Best
Tue
87
80°
Wed
58
74°
Thu
46
68°
Fri
69
67°
Sat
87
67°
Sun
61
65°
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 9p | 6 | 13 |
| 10p | 4 | 11 |
| 11p | 4 | 11 |
| 12a | 4 | 10 |
| 1a | 3 | 8 |
| 2a | 4 | 9 |
| 3a | 4 | 10 |
| 4a | 4 | 9 |
| 5a | 4 | 10 |
| 6a | 4 | 9 |
| 7a | 5 | 10 |
| 8a | 4 | 9 |
Is this flow normal for September 29?
Today's 24,800 cfs is 1270% above the median for this date — which counts as very high water here.
The median flow on this date is 1,810 cfs, across 55 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 — 6 mph — light wind at the forecast location±0
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 05489500
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata