Paddle Report

The Outlet Of Lake Itasca To The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7 river run

Minnesota, USA Mississippi River 48.0 mi long Class III-II
Today high
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Tonight low
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Current flow
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% of normal
73%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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 The Outlet Of Lake Itasca
 To  The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7
 -- Minnesota paddle run
The Outlet Of Lake Itasca To The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7 Minnesota · Mississippi River
About this run

The Outlet Of Lake Itasca To The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7

The Whitewater River Run is a popular destination for kayakers and rafters in the state of Minnesota. The run stretches from the outlet of Lake Itasca to the Iron Bridge of County Road 7 and covers a distance of approximately 19 miles. The ideal streamflow range for this stretch of the river is between 250 and 500 cubic feet per second (cfs). At higher flows, the rapids become more challenging and dangerous.

The Whitewater River Run is rated as a class I to III river, making it suitable for intermediate and advanced paddlers. The run is divided into three segments - the upper, middle, and lower sections - with each section offering unique rapids and obstacles. The upper section is the most challenging, with several class III rapids, including Pinball and Island Rapids. The middle section is less challenging but still offers exciting class II rapids, such as Cutoff and Peterson Rapids. The lower section is the easiest and most suitable for beginners.

There are specific regulations that need to be followed while paddling in the Whitewater River Run. These include wearing a personal flotation device and respecting private property. Additionally, camping is only permitted in designated sites, and fires are only allowed in established fire rings.

In conclusion, the Whitewater River Run is a thrilling destination for paddlers of all skill levels. With its ideal streamflow range, class rating, unique rapids and obstacles, and specific regulations, it offers a fantastic experience for anyone seeking an adventure on the water.
StateMinnesota
RiverMississippi River
Run length48.0 mi
ClassIII-II
Elevation1,411 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal73%
StreamgageUSGS 05243725
Latitude47.2180°
Longitude-95.2087°
Detailed forecast

Plan your run down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.

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Regional flow

Regional streamflow levels

USGS streamgauges around The Outlet Of Lake Itasca To The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7 -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.

Whitewater safety

Check the flow before you run
Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
Know your skill ceiling
Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
Wear the right gear
Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
Scout, set safety, and run with a team
Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
Respect the river
Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save The Outlet Of Lake Itasca To The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7 as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.

FAQ

About The Outlet Of Lake Itasca To The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7

What's the optimal flow for The Outlet Of Lake Itasca To The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7 ?

The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.

How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?

The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.

What's the whitewater class?

See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.

Where do I put in / take out?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.

Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.

More river runs

Other runs near here

Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of The Outlet Of Lake Itasca To The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7 .