Dakota City to Gotch Park
Distance - 4.0 MILES
This short float begins at Dakota City Park and offers two access points - one above and below the rock dam. Both accesses are concrete boat ramps that provide easy entry into the river. Three quarters of a mile downstream, the river intersects with Three Rivers Trail as paddlers pass under a railroad trestle now converted to a bridge for the trail. A segment of rapids is present shortly after the 1 mile mark. At 3.5 miles downstream, paddlers intersect with another trail bridge at Gotch Park. This bike trail is a short segment that runs adjacent to Gotch Park. From this bridge the confluence of the East fork and West fork is now visible. An observation platform with a winding staircase exists in Gotch Park at the point of the confluence. The bat ramp for exit from the river is located on the West fork so beyond this point, paddlers must go upstream for a short distance. Paddlers will want to say close to the west bank as they make their way up to the access. If paddlers want to continue their float beyond Gotch Park, a low-head dam is present approximately 1/2 mile downstream that will require portage.
