Turkey
Elkader Whitewater Park (PnP)
| Difficulty | II(III) |
| Length | 0.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr at Elkader, Ia |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 875 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 19, 2026 |
River Description
This whitewater park opened in 2014, and has gone through some “fixes”. The first fix (in about 2015) changed the main feature (formerly an awesome half wave, half hole) to just a hole. While this fix made it more fun for play boating, it was far less conducive to SUP surfing. The main feature continued to degrade, so another“fix” (in 2017/2018) resulted in a shallow, powerful, retentive (for swimmers and boaters), boxed-in hole at most boatable flows. The rock pad/weir to the surfers left of the main feature has degraded, now having under water body pockets. Know how to read water, know your skills, and what level of risk you are comfortable with.
Keep in mind the older photos in the gallery section show the feature before fixes, so they no longer accurately portray what the features are like presently!
The rating for this park is class III because you need to know where to go and where not to go. Given the retentive nature of the features at certain flows, beginner/intermediate paddlers could have a nasty surprise.
While you’re enjoying the quaint town, be sure to stop by Pedretti’s Bakery (not open on Sundays), and there are plenty of shops and restaurants.
Also check out the local shop: https://gearelkader.com/
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reporti paddled this today at about 1190 cfs. the main wave on river right was a flushy, fast white pile wave with nice green ramp. on the river left was a smaller spin wave that a local told me was for canoes to navigate through. in between the two features is a line of large flat rocks that makes a little island at low flows and becomes the high water feature at higher flows. the river right feature looks like it could have some playability down to a pretty low level. there is a park there that is still under construction. there are porta-crappers but no obvious places to change so be careful. the locals are very nice and fairly curious and the town is really pretty.
Yes, the wave was improved…for boating. It sucks for sup surfing now. The wave does not support a sup for surfing at all. It would not be worth it taking the sup, just bring your boat and have fun in that. Its great for boating!
Saturday afternoon on July 26, 2014 at 780 cfs
Saturday Afternoon on July 26, 2014 at 780 cfs
Spins at 1040 cfs on Gobbler Wave. Michael Beck Paddler
Elkader is likely the smallest town in the US with a whitewater park. It also is on the Turkey River Water Trail which runs through forested bluffs to Motor Mill for great flatwater paddling. Off the water, Elkader is the smallest town in Iowa with a designated Cultural and Entertainment District including an opera house, movie theater, 2 museums, restaurants, coffee shops, a vibrant shopping district with many specialty stores, and the Pony Hollow Nature Trail (bring your bike!). The entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places. A great place to spend the weekend.
3030 cfs Gobbler Wave. Michael Beck Paddler
Spins at 1040 cfs on Gobbler Wave. Adam Pollock Paddler
View upstream to Keystone Bridge, Courthouse, Upper Dam and elevated bike trail. Gobbler wave in foreground.
1040 cfs. Front surf on the Gobbler Wave at 1040 cfs. Adam Pollock Paddler