The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge river run
The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
There are several challenging rapids and obstacles on this section of the river that are popular among experienced paddlers, such as the "Z-dam," "Whispering Falls," and "Double Drop." The river also features large boulders, steep drops, and narrow chutes that require skill and precision to navigate safely.
Regulations in this area require all paddlers to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times, and minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Camping is only permitted in designated areas, and fires must be contained within a fire ring or grill. Paddlers should also be aware of potential hazards, such as fallen trees and submerged obstacles, and take necessary precautions to avoid accidents.
Overall, the Lower Dam section of the Whitewater River provides a thrilling and challenging adventure for experienced paddlers, with beautiful scenery and exciting rapids to navigate. However, it is important to follow regulations and safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
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.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
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.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Iowa River At Decorah | 521 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester | 199 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Bluffton | 344 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Spillville | 210 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Near Eldorado | 711 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Ion | 314 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Other river runs
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
- Lone Rock To The Confluence Of The Green And Wisconsin Rivers
Campgrounds
- Sampson Springs Campground
- Highland General Store & Campground
- Pulpit Rock Campground
- Waukon City Park Campground
- Trollskogen City Park
- Canoe Landing
Fishing spots
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 "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge 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.
About The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
What's the optimal flow for The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge?
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.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge.