South Skunk
13th Street Mitigated Low Head Dam(South Skunk)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 0.074 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 2 fpm |
| Permit | None Required |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 11, 2024 |
River Description
This PnP feature is located in North River Valley Park off 13th Street in Ames Iowa.
In 2021 an Iowa DNR Low Head Dam Mitigation project converted the Ames 13th Street dam into a fish passage channel (river right) and a paddler passage channel (river left).
During high water events (400+ cfs on USGS South Skunk gauge, or river-right wall-gauge levels greater than 4'), the paddler channel offers excellent surfs, spins and cartwheels. CAUTION: the features are shallow, so care should be taken when rolling.
River Features
No river features have been added
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportGood day for working on paddle skills
Spent the day paddling at 1000+ cfs/ 4 on the visible gauge and had lots of fun. Features are shallow so having a quick roll is an asset. Having paddled this section multiple times, talking with the local fishing community and Ames Park & Recreation officals, we have not seen any issues with foot or body entrapment beyond the normal expectations for a river contray to the J.Bird report.
Tried this white water park a few times at different levels, 100-1500cfs.
NOT worth the drive. The features are too shallow for playboating and very flushy. Didn't even bother getting my half slice off the car either. The area was more of a jumble of rocks and overgrown weeds, bummer.
Also tried tubing this with family and friends...TUBING NOT ADVISED at any level! Too rocky! Had to rescue my friends kids, one caught his leg (up to his hip) between rocks and the other got his hand stuck between rocks and could not free himself. Thank goodness quick acting adults were near the children or it could have easily resulted in a tragedy.
Really bummed this isn't more family and boating friendly.
Paddling on new playpark in Ames - 13th Street mitigated dam