Kayak Love

Iowa · river

Rock River below Tom Creek at Rock Rapids

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

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Rock River below Tom Creek at Rock Rapids
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Melan Arch Bridge.jpg by Joseph Elliott, Public domain. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

12 mph

gusting to 17 mph

Air temp

82°F

14% chance of rain

River flow

108 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Wednesday · 77

  • Today

    63

  • Wed

    77

    Best

  • Thu

    53

  • Fri

    7

  • Sat

    62

  • Sun

    66

  • Mon

    31

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)
3p1216
4p1117
5p1016
6p916
7p613
8p510
9p510
10p413
11p211
12a28
1a14
2a23

Is this flow normal for September 8?

Today's 108 cfs is 42% above the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 76 cfs, across 24 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind12 mph — noticeable but manageable-14

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