Boone River

Albrights to Tunnel Mill

River Miles: 7
Counties: Hamilton
Recommended Flow: 100 - 750 cfs

Review(s):

Submitted By: Brian Stroner
AKA: Cornboy
Skill Level: Intermediate
Date of Paddle: 9/04
CFS: ~100
Recommended Craft: Recreational but a whitewater capable craft if running the ledge drops.
Type of Water: Mostly flat with some class Is, and a class II.
Overview of this section: Probably my favorite section of the Boone. It's a wooded area that is very scenic and has some great fishing. Also the first two miles has the highest gradient of anywhere on the Boone - around 9'/mile.
Hazard and Rapids: There are numerous rapids in the first 2 miles with many large rocks. If you have paddled this section before or looked at a map then you'll notice that about 1 mile after Albrights is a section where you can take the left or right channel. That area has changed in the past year. Before if you took the right channel then you would have to contend with a couple ledge drops, and the left channel was a pretty easy run. Now the left channels flow cut through the island right above the last ledge drop on the right hand side making it pretty hairy for the novice paddler. In low water conditions there isn't enough flow in the old left channel to make it through so you will have to drag or be forced to the right channel. During higher flows (~400cfs) then you still can take the left channel.
Camping?: There is camping at Webster City's Riverside Park, Briggs Woods, and Bells Mills. There is also public land in areas that you can camp along the river.
Other Launches?: Bevers Area is about 2 miles from Albrights.
Places to rent or buy outdoor equipment: Webster City has: Shopper Supply, Kmart, and Sports World. No places to rent.
Other items of interest about this area: There is some good reading about the old mills and the stories involved with them. Link, by Ed Nass
Overall opinion of this section: Great! You can't really beat this section as far as paddling goes. This section isn't for someone just learning how to paddle, especially if going solo.

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Recent River Level Readings - taken from NOAA

Location: Webster City