Winnebago, IA

Gauge Information

River Description

The put-in is in East Park in Mason City. There is plenty of parking available.
 

You don't have to paddle to far before you head south around a bend and the water starts to pick up speed. As the river makes a turn back east, the first rapids appear. "Surf and Turf" are the first two rapids and provide some clean surfing at lower levels with easy eddy service. At higher flows they form into some very nice wave trains with big foam and deep troughs for a quick bouncy ride.

You have a bit of flat water to contend with before you reach "Warm-up wave". You will pass by the water treatment plant on the South side of the river and then you are getting close. The wave forms up nicely here, but there isn't much in the way of eddy service and at higher flows, you'll have a hard time staying here. Float on down around the corner though and you'll find a much better setup.

"Split River" has two very surfable waves that form up at nearly all levels, though I am guessing that the small island goes underwater at about 1250 CFS which may kill the perfect eddy that is there nearly all the time. River Left is a nice foam wave with an easy slide in and out while River Right usually forms into a big glassy wave that is friendly to short and long boats alike. The eddy is a bit harder to get back into from the river right wave, but it can be done.

There is another small wave that forms below this area but I need to take better notes next time I run the river so that I can map it out correctly. As I recall, it is good for beginners to surf and is easy to slide in with a nice small wave train behind and an easy eddy along River Left.

After that, you have some more flat water, but not too much, before you round the bend at come to the Averydale Access. Two different waves form up here with some space in between that makes for easy play in groups. Also, there is a nice parking area right next to the river here for folks who want to park & play or use it as a take out for a shorter run than the full one listed.

If you continue on from here, know that there is only one additional solid wave ahead called Big Gully Rapid, which again is a bit of a misnomer as it is pretty much just a river wide solid wave. The float is still worth doing if you have never done it as you pass along some beautiful low bluffs with quick water. There is usually a small waterfall pouring in on River Left at one point and at water about 1200 CFS you might be able to sneak through a breach in the cliff wall carved out by the river if you are paying attention (short boats only I am betting).

After Big Gully Rapid, the river eventually slows down and you have a pretty calm float to the Wren Avenue take-out. The scenery is still nice as you pass by Claybanks State Park on the south bank and there is plenty of wildlife to be seen.