Kayak Love

Iowa · river

South Fork Chariton River near Promise City

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

Wind

9 mph

gusting to 19 mph

Air temp

70°F

1% chance of rain

River flow

3.06 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Today · 87

  • Today

    87

    Best

  • Tue

    58

  • Wed

    72

  • Thu

    73

  • Fri

    45

  • Sat

    62

  • Sun

    55

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)
11p819
12a818
1a818
2a717
3a718
4a717
5a616
6a616
7a716
8a919
9a1121
10a1021

Is this flow normal for September 8?

Today's 3.06 cfs is 80% above the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 2 cfs, across 57 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind9 mph — noticeable but manageable-5
  • GustsGusting to 19 mph — 10 mph over sustained±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