Kayak Love

Iowa · river

South Skunk River near Oskaloosa

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

92of 100

Send it

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near South Skunk River near Oskaloosa
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Daniel Nelson Barn.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

10 mph

gusting to 12 mph

Air temp

87°F

2% chance of rain

River flow

927 cfs

high for this date

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
4p1012
5p912
6p911
7p811
8p511
9p48
10p614
11p815
12a613
1a713
2a714
3a715

Is this flow normal for July 30?

Today's 927 cfs is 118% above the median for this date — which counts as high water here.

The median flow on this date is 426 cfs, across 79 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind10 mph — noticeable but manageable-8

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