Iowa · river
Raccoon River near West Des Moines
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 07:45:00 GMT.
River observation: unavailable.
Page checked: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 07:47:53 GMT. Readings older than one hour are not used for the current score.
Wind
4 mph
gusting to 13 mph
Air temp
58°F
1% chance of rain
River flow
Unavailable
USGS has not returned a fresh reading. See the gauge link below.
Weather outlook
Monday · 98
Tue
71
75°
Wed
44
73°
Thu
40
66°
Fri
65
63°
Sat
93
65°
Sun
89
67°
Mon
98
63°
Best
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 2a | 3 | 12 |
| 3a | 5 | 14 |
| 4a | 4 | 13 |
| 5a | 3 | 12 |
| 6a | 4 | 12 |
| 7a | 4 | 13 |
| 8a | 5 | 14 |
| 9a | 10 | 25 |
| 10a | 10 | 20 |
| 11a | 10 | 22 |
| 12p | 10 | 22 |
| 1p | 11 | 21 |
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 05484600
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata