East Fork of the Des Moines

C26 Bridge to Dakota City Park

River Miles: apx. 13mi.
Counties: Humboldt
Recommended Gauge Height: above 8.5 ft.

Review(s):

Submitted By: Jim Dodd
AKA: Tailbiter
Knowledge of this area: Intermediate
Date of Paddle: Mid October, 2004
Guage Height: 9.5 ft.
Recommended Craft: Recreational
Type of Water: Flat water with a few small riffles and some sharp turns. class I
Overview of this section: Put in at the North East side of Foster's bridge.This is a great Fall trip while the leaves are turning! Sand bars and a few high clay banks with sand bottom in the first 3/4. Predominately rock bottom during the last 1/4. A quiet paddle with a fare amount of wildlife.
Hazard and Rapids: There are no hazards, except a few sharp turns, that a novice should have no trouble with.
Camping?: Camping is available at the Dakota City Park, as well as Gotch Park, an hour down stream. A Historical Museum is also located accross the river from the Dakota City Park.
Other Launches?: Dakota City Park makes a nice sand launch for a one hour paddle to Gotch Park. When you get to Gotch Park, paddle up the West Branch Des Moines about a hundred yards to the boat ramp for the take out.
Other items of interest about this area: Gotch park is where the East meets the West Branch Des Moines. The West branch offers a nice one hour paddle from Humboldt to Gotch Park.It will entertain you with rapids and wildlife.
Overall opinion of this section: I recommend this for beginners, and those seeking solitude.

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Recent River Level Readings - taken from NOAA

Location: Dakota City