Sauk

K. of C. Park to Mississippi River (4.1 miles)

July 7, 2024

Correction in description

ReporterAdam Ripple
Gauge Reading850 cfs at SAUK RIVER NEAR ST. CLOUD, MN
FlowMedium Flow

Paddled it at 850 which is maybe 100-150cfs above sweet spot but still lots of fun. Waves by Whitney Park are great for surfing and there's good eddies on both sides that you can kind of jet ferry across.

A couple of things in main description that are inaccurate: the low head damn is gone, there are some remnant chunks of concrete but nothing seems retentive in any way. It also mentions the 'VFW' hospital but it is actually the federal VA hospital. Their security doesn't screw around and you'll end up with federal citations if you're there uninvited. The paddle from KC park adds maybe 20 minutes. Some folks launch from the shoulder of Hwy 15 but there's lots of poison ivy and 70mph traffic

So many turtles on this whole stretch, including many large softshells and map turtles if you're into wildlife