Des Moines River, Chris State Water Access Site

The Highway 30 Bridge access point on the Des Moines River in Fish Lake, Jackson County provides boat ramp facilities for launching kayaks, canoes, and small motorboats. The site features two boat ramps with access points on both sides of the bridge, including a downstream ramp and rocky bank landing on the upstream side. As a public water access, the site is open 24 hours unless posted otherwise and accommodates both trailer and carry-in launches.

The Des Moines River at this location is a substantial waterway—a large river (Stream Order 7) with an average flow of roughly 9,000 cubic feet per second and an average gradient of 1.9 feet per mile. Paddlers should expect moderate current and be prepared for a river with significant water volume. The river's relatively steady gradient and high flow velocity (6.9 ft/second average) make this suitable for boaters comfortable with moving water conditions. The Windom Wetland Management District nearby offers additional opportunities for exploring surrounding habitat and wildlife viewing.