Kayak Love

Iowa · river

Maple River at Mapleton

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

58of 100

Fair

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Wind

17 mph

gusting to 28 mph

Air temp

75°F

22% chance of rain

River flow

190 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Wednesday · 77

  • Today

    51

  • Wed

    77

    Best

  • Thu

    66

  • Fri

    4

  • Sat

    75

  • Sun

    63

  • Mon

    74

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)
1a1728
2a1527
3a1427
4a1019
5a719
6a918
7a713
8a920
9a1018
10a1124
11a1123
12p1428

Is this flow normal for September 8?

Today's 190 cfs is 62% above the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 117 cfs, across 83 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind17 mph — hard work, whitecaps likely-39
  • GustsGusting to 28 mph — 11 mph over sustained-3

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