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Whitewater timing varies with scouting, portages, and group pace. Use as a planning baseline.

Description

Lizard Creek is an intimate paddle through forested shoreline and sandstone bluffs that can be nearly a full-day ~14 mile run from Lentsch Access to the confluence with the Des Moines river in Fort Dodge. Most paddlers will prefer doing one or more of the shorter stretches, using listed options for access points: Lentsch Access to Cunningham Access: ~3.1 miles Cunningham Access to Rasch Access: ~5.2 miles Rasch Access to Phinney Access: ~5.6 miles The final mile of Lizard creek before it enters the Des Moines river contains some Class 2 rapids, thus the final section will be the choice for those mostly intent on whitewater. Optimum paddling levels are 5’ – 8’ on the USGS Lizard creek gauge. Paddlers should be careful of strainers and railroad bridge piling hazards, especially at higher flows. An Iowa DNR water trail map contains detailed access points, paddling information, and other useful details (CLICKABLE LINK): _www.iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Canoeing-Kayaking/Water-Trail-Maps-Brochures_