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Root River :
Root River DNR maintained routes:
Chatfield to Houston: from the Parsley
Bridge access (Hwy 52) downstream to the Mississippi River (80
miles) there is
usually sufficient water for
paddling except in prolonged drought situations. From Chatfield
to Parsley Bridge access (Hwy 52) the river is narrow
and shallow. See "Canoeing the Driftless" book for
detailed route information. Check the following DNR stream
report and gauge level information:
Root River Paddling Conditions
Root South Branch: From
Preston to Lanesboro to confluence with main branch of the
Root. Suitable for all
experience
levels. Check the DNR gauge reading located
at Lanesboro:
Lanesboro River Gauge
Root River Upper Branches and Creeks
(Not DNR maintained):
The Root North Branch and the Root Middle Branch
(including Bear Creek and Deer Creek) are not for beginner
paddlers. These streams are narrow, shallow and have high drop rate
(gradient) with tight turns and likely hazards such as
sweepers, log jams and fences. These streams are only
suitable experienced paddlers using solo canoes or kayaks. These streams are not
DNR maintained routes and the accesses are at bridges and
are rough. See "Canoeing the Driftless" book for detailed
route information. Because there are only two USGS Real-Time stream gauges
on the Root River (one at Moen's bridge between Chatfield
and Whalen , and one near Houston) it is difficult to
determine how these gauge readings correlate to the upstream forks
and branches. There is no DNR stream data for the Root upper
branches and creeks.Since 2003 I have kept weekly stream level
charts for the Root river to determine how the
readings of a downstream gauge correlates to the paddling
conditions of the smaller
upstream branches and forks. For example:
- The upper branches of the Root River: North
Branch (Stewartville to Chatfield), Middle Branch including (Bear
Creek from CR1 to Fillmore CR5, and Deer Creek from
CR1 to Fillmore CR5) can be paddled with a solo canoe or kayak if the Pilot
Mound water level gauge is at least 8.2 feet , but not above the 11.71
feet dangerous paddling limit.
If the
PILOT
MOUND GAUGE reading is:
- below 8.2ft - will drag bottom at shallow spots
- 8.2ft to 9.5ft - good paddling
- 9.5ft to 10.0ft - current is swift, need good
control skills
- 10.0ft to 11.0ft expert control skills required
- 11.0ft and above - dangerous paddling
- Note that these are only guidelines and actual paddling
conditions can vary.
Root South Branch -
County Rd5 Bridge to Forestville State Park to Preston. This section is not for beginners.
The routes are very shallow, narrow with many hazards and
portages. See "Canoeing the
Driftless" book for detailed route information. Check
the Real-Time gauge located in Lanesboro to help in
determine if the river level is adequate:
Lanesboro River Gauge
Root South Fork (Gauge
data not available). This section is not for beginners.
See "Canoeing the Driftless" book for detailed route
information.
Zumbro River:
From the Power Dam downstream to the Mississippi River (60
miles) there is usually sufficient water for paddling except in
prolonged drought situations. See "Canoeing the Driftless" book
for detailed route information.
- Power Dam, Zumbro Falls, Hammond, Millville, Theilman to
Mississippi River:
Check the DNR river report and gauge reading at:
Zumbro River Report
There
are many shallow stretches on this route especially during dry
conditions. Check the DNR river report and gauge reading
at:
Zumbro South Branch River Conditions
- North Branch - Zumbrota to Zumbro Falls
The river from Zumbrota to Mazeppa and to the main
channel of the Zumbro River upstream of Zumbro Falls
is a rough route that is seldom maintained. It's difficult
to judge if the water level is OK for paddling (solo canoes
or kayaks) but I've had good paddling if the
Zumbro
Falls gauge is between 7 and 8 feet.
Cannon River:
From Faribault to the Mississippi River (80 + miles) there is
usually sufficient water for paddling except in prolonged
drought situations. See "Canoeing the Driftless" book for
detailed route information. For gauge readings and paddling
conditions go to
River Level Report: Cannon River .
Straight River: From Owatonna to
Faribault. For gauge readings and paddling conditions go to the
DNR website at:
River Gauge near Faribault
Whitewater River: There is no
gauge for this river. Not for beginners. May be trees down
across the channel and there are tree strainers and frequent
snags since this route is not maintained by the DNR. The water
level and current usually is good throughout the summer but
flashes up after heavy rains and can be very dangerous. See
"Canoeing the Driftless" book for detailed route information. |
