Kayak Love

Iowa · river

Iowa River at Oakville

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

100of 100

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Iowa River at Oakville
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Hawkeye Creek Bridge from west.jpg by Nyttend, Public domain. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

5 mph

gusting to 12 mph

Air temp

67°F

1% chance of rain

River flow

4,170 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Sunday · 91

  • Today

    88

  • Tue

    84

  • Wed

    61

  • Thu

    89

  • Fri

    58

  • Sat

    57

  • Sun

    91

    Best

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)
11p411
12a512
1a614
2a615
3a614
4a613
5a714
6a715
7a614
8a815
9a1023
10a920

Is this flow normal for September 8?

Today's 4,170 cfs is Right about the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 4,040 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

  • Wind5 mph — calm, ideal for any boat±0

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