Introduction to the Red Lake River

CANOEING THE RED LAKE RIVER Safety - Trip Planning - Rest Area/Camping - Rentals Water Levels - Detailed Maps & Photo Tours Introduction The Red Lake River is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources designated State Canoe Route. For detailed maps, river information, and pictures of the canoe trail, click here. River level information is available online via the National Weather Service Office in Grand Forks (NOAA). Current (Real Time in Crookston) and historic (in Crookston) data also are available at the USGS Water Resources web site. For the DNR map of the Red Lake River or river level information contact: DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367)
	River Segment Information: 1. Lower Red Lake to High Landing 2. High Landing to Thief River Falls 3. Thief River Falls to Red Lake Falls 4. Red Lake Falls to Old Crossing 5. Old Crossing to Crookston 6. Crookston to Fisher 7. Fisher to East Grand Forks Map data provided by MDNR, TNC, and UMC Visitor Number

Safety First Start your trip with the proper safety equipment. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices (PFD) are required by law and should be used in rough waters and heavy rapids. Paddles often break in rapids; carry a spare. Don't overload your canoe; never carry more than three people. Snag-ridden streams with overhanging branches are often tricky to negotiate. Underwater branches can easily tip a canoe. Watch for branches and rocks. River levels are important considerations when planning a canoe trip. Both high and low water levels may mean that you drag your canoe more than paddle it. Always be aware of the location of dams along your trip's course. Portages may be necessary. Not all sections of this water trail are suitable for motor use. Register your watercraft. All watercraft more than 9 feet in length, including non-motorized canoes and kayaks, must be registered in Minnesota or your state of residence. Trip Planning Travel with a companion or group. Plan your trip with a map and advise someone of your planned departure and arrival times. Most people paddle two to three river miles per hour. Do not underestimate the power of the wind coming off the prairie. On extremely windy days, it will be difficult to paddle even downstream along portions of the Red Lake River. Bring a first aid kit that includes waterproof matches. You must pack out all trash! If you see trash, pack out what you can to help keep the river clean. Leave only footprints; take only photographs (a few fish perhaps too!). Rest Areas and Camping Sites Public rest areas are available along the route to rest, picnic, and explore. Camp only in designated campsites, or be sure to contact any land owner to ask permission to access/camp their land. Bring drinking water. It is only available at a limited number of rest areas. Drinking river water is not recommended, but if you do it must be treated. Respect private property. Stop only at designated sites unless you have land owner permission; much of the shoreland is private property. Be sanitary! Use designated toilet facilities or bury human waste away from the river.

Hydrologic Information
Always research the water levels of the river prior to your departure. Also have a look at flood forecasts. Use the links at the top of the page for real time data from river gauging stations in Crookston and at High Landing.

Red Lake River in Crookston

Red Lake River at High Landing

Stage in Feet	Impacts	Stage in Feet	Impacts
27.5	Top of permanent dike	12.0	County roads flood
27.0	Danger to Ottertail power plant	10.0	Rural flooding
25.0	City protection by local dike
23.0	City mobilization
20.0	Central Park floods
15.0	Flood stage

Click here for a graph illustrating daily stream flows from 1993 to Sept. 2002, from July 2001 to June 2003, for the month of May 2003, and for a map showing the location of the gauging station in Crookston.