Des Moines

A 90 ft wide ledge on river left (with an eddy below/left) has a slight 'smile', with the river right half angling slightly downstream. The left half is more perpendicular to the current.

At 4000 cfs one can ferry to mid-river downstream of the ledge, then attain into the hole. At this level from the top of the foam pile to to trough is about 2' deep, and 4' from the top of the ledge to the wide trough.

From the center to river-left, the hole is moderately sticky. A static side surf here will take some effort to get out. (Great opportunity to practice hole-escape techniques!) One can easily ender out, or exit upside down.

It's a fast, bouncy ride, but too shallow for cartwheels or loops. With higher water these moves may become possible.

To Get There:

From near Fort Dodge, head north on Hwy.169 to 170th Street / Co. D-14. Head east about 0.4 mile on D-14, then turn left on Madison Avenue (a dirt road just before crossing the Des Moines River). Within about 0.1 mile, look for a pull-out in the trees next to the river. Put in and paddle upstream to the ledge.