Lizard Creek

Hayes Ave. to the Des Moines River

River Miles: 11
Counties: Webster
Recommended Height: 5.5 - 6.5'

Review(s):

Submitted By: Ben Petty
AKA: bpetty
Knowledge Level of this area: Advanced
Date of Paddle: April 04
Gauge Height: 6'
Recommended Craft: Recreational
Type of Water: Swift water in most sections, with many riffle areas, and a few class II / II+ rapids, depending on flow rate.
Overview of this section: In the 11 mile trip from Hayes Ave. to the Des Moines River, Lizard Creek continues to swiftly flow over a rocky streambed and through a scenic timbered valley for most of its' course. The first mile of this trip is a bit of an exception however, as it passes through a pasture area - although still a swift and rocky stream here, the views are more "wide open" with fewer trees lining the banks. There is a boulder-strewn section of creek here that can be a bit tricky to pass through, then you'll head left and see the railroad bridge ahead, which signals the end of the pasture area. Be on the look-out for single strands of electric fence near the beginning and end of this pasture area - sometimes they're present, and sometimes they're not. As you pass under the railroad bridge, the view changes back to timber and bluff scenery, and a clear tributary stream enters Lizard Creek on river left. Past more repeated sections of riffles & slower water and around some gigantic glacial boulders, you'll approach the P41 bridge. The Lizard Creek gage is also found near this bridge, on river right. To access water levels, click on http://water.mvr.usace.army.mil/ , then on "Fort Dodge", and find FLZ14. Best paddling conditions are when this gage reads between 5.5 and 6.5 feet, and I wouldn't try it when it reads below 5.2 feet or much above 7 feet. The creek slows here briefly before picking up speed again as you turn right and through some fun riffles. High bluffs tower over the valley, and then you'll see the Highway 7 bridge ahead. After passing under the bridge, there are some colorful rock ledges along the creek, and you'll soon see the south branch of Lizard Creek entering on river right. Lizard Creek takes a hard left here and enters a rock quarry. Through a few small riffle areas, you'll then pass through a larger class II rapids just upstream from the Highway 169 bridge. Five us us took this trip in April, 2004, and I don't think any canoeist or kayaker (without a spray skirt!) made it out without a pretty good soaking. The fun doesn't stop here though, as you'll soon pass through a long section of "very splashy" rock garden rapids, and along some scenic low-lying limestone formations. You'll then pass under a newly constructed bridge and enter the Des Moines River, where the take-out is just downstream on river right (or you can head river left if you'd rather end your trip with some food and drink at "Amigo's"). If you continue on down the river, be sure to portage the lowhead dam found about a half-mile downstream on the Des Moines River.
Hazard and Rapids: See "type of water"
Camping?: See prior section of Lizard Creek
Other Launches?: P41 bridge
Other items of interest about this area: See prior section of Lizard.
Overall opinion of this section: See prior section of Lizard.
Pic caption: It can be tough to stay dry on some sections of Lizard Creek.

Add/modify info.

Recent River Level Readings - taken from the Army Corps

Location: Lizard Creek