Shell Rock River in Iowa

Trip Overview

This section of the Shell Rock R. has about six to eight ledges and rock gardens providing excellent diversion from an otherwise easy float. Flows less than 1000 cfs on the Shell Rock gage will have you scraping along. Between 1000 to 1500 cfs seems optimum. There are two places one must avoid electric fence wire across the river (remember this IS Iowa). A gravel road runs along the river and it's possible to find a suitable hole to play in rather than float the whole section.

Accommodations:

A couple campgrounds exist midway along this section.

Directions:

Approx. 10 miles NE of Mason City, Iowa.

Launches:

Put in on the south edge of Plymouth. Take out just below the ledge at Rock Falls.