Iowa / Des Moines River /
Sycamore Access
Boat ramp · on Des Moines River · near Johnston · Iowa
Open per U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation area status's data, checked October 1, 2026. Seasonal gates, low water and storms are not always posted; check before you tow.
At the launch
- Type
- Boat ramp
- Ramp surface
- Concrete
- Car parking
- 38 spaces
- Managed by
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Coordinates
- 41.68091, -93.66844
Conditions
- Weather forecast for this launch · National Weather Service
- Water level, flow at the Des Moines River near Saylorville, IA gauge · USGS, 0.1 mi away on Des Moines River
Water level
Latest reading loads here; without it, see the USGS page below.
USGS gauge Des Moines River near Saylorville, IA, 0.1 mi from this launch on Des Moines River: water level, flow, a reading every 15 minutes. Readings and history at USGS.
On the river
River mile 201.1 on Des Moines River · Iowa DNR River Programs mile markers on paddling routes, placed between its mile markers
Low-head dams drown people every year: the current below the drop circles back and holds a swimmer or a boat at the face. Portage around them; stay well clear above and below.
- Dam, 2.5 mi upstream: Saylorville Dam (large impoundment). · Iowa DNR River Programs dam hazards
- Low-head dam, 9.0 mi downstream: Center Street Dam (Des Moines) (low-head). · Iowa DNR River Programs dam hazards
- Low-head dam, 9.9 mi downstream: Scott Street Dam (low-head). · Iowa DNR River Programs dam hazards
Up to 10 river miles each way, from the agencies' inventories; not every hazard is listed and rivers change. Scout before you go.
Sources: Iowa DNR River Programs mile markers on paddling routes, Iowa DNR River Programs dam hazards.
On Des Moines River
River in Iowa. All launches on Des Moines River.
Community
Where people who use Des Moines River talk about it.
Nearby launches
- Cottonwood Access · 1.1 mi · Des Moines River
- Bob Shetler · 1.3 mi · Saylorville Lake
- Lakeview High Water · 2.3 mi · Saylorville Lake
- Lakeview Main A · 2.4 mi · Saylorville Lake
- Lakeview Main B · 2.4 mi · Saylorville Lake
- Lew Clarkson Access · 2.9 mi · Beaver Creek
Sources
- Iowa DNR Water Accesses record 584726c3-3952-4c60-ade4-eeca09cde66d · Public data (Iowa DNR), no terms stated; credit the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat ramps (FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Facility Inventory) record 255-591150-7-001 · US federal government data, public domain (FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Facility Inventory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submittal)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation area status open or closed status · US federal government data, public domain (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Natural Resource Management Program)
- OpenStreetMap n379738775 © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Why it is listed as public: listed by Iowa DNR Water Accesses and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat ramps (FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Facility Inventory). Something wrong, or is this launch private? Send a correction; it goes to a person.