Winnebago
East Park (Mason City) to Wren Ave. (10 miles)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 9.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 5 fpm |
| Gauge | Winnebago River at Mason City, Ia |
| Flow Rate as of 41 minutes | 341 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 29, 2024 |
River Description
The put-in is in East Park in Mason City. There is plenty of parking available.
A brief access paddle leads to a bend to the south where the water picks up speed. As the river turns back eastward, the first rapids appear. Surf and Turf are the first two features. They provide clean surfing at lower levels with easy eddy service. At higher flows they form wave trains with big foam and deep troughs for a quick bouncy ride.
A bit of flat water (passing the water treatment plant on the south side of the river) brings you to Warm-up Wave. There isn't much in the way of eddy service, so at higher flows you'll have a hard time staying here. Continue down around the corner though and you'll find a much better setup.
Split River has two very surfable waves 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 at lesser flows. River left is a breaking wave with an easy slide in and out. River-right is usually a big glassy wave, friendly to short and long boats alike. The eddy is a bit harder to get to from the river right wave, but it can be done.
Another small wave forms below this area. 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.
A little more flat water leads round a bend to the Averydale Access. Two waves form here with some space in between, making for easy play in groups. A parking area right next to the river here allows park & play or use as a take out for a shorter run.
If you continue from here, there is only one additional solid wave ahead called Big Gully Rapid, a bit of a misnomer since it is a single river wide wave. The float is worth doing, if you have never done it, as you pass some beautiful low bluffs with quick water. There is usually a small waterfall pouring in on river left at one point, and if
...River Features
Put In
'Surf' and 'Turf'
Two waves, 'Surf' and 'Turf'. Clean surfing at lower levels with easy eddy service. At higher flows they form into very nice wave trains with big foam and deep troughs for a quick bouncy ride.
Warm-up Wave
There isn't much in the way of eddy service. 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 Waves
Two very surfable waves 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.
Averydale Access Waves
These are the final play on the short reach (there is one additional wave downstream on the long reach) or, these waves can be done as a park-and-play.
Averydale Access
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.
Big Gully Rapid
As Big Gully (a creek) enters from river-right, you encounter a fine little wave. (The name is a bit of a misnomer; this is not really a 'rapids', but a river wide solid wave.)
After Big Gully Rapid, the river 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.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportRyan surfing at Warmup rapid
Getting deep on the River Left wave.