Straight River Overall Fastest Known Paddle: 5H, 10M, 20S

(this is also the 1st tandem male FKP)

Scott Miller, age 49, Minneapolis, MN & Scott Duffus, age 67, Owatonna, MN

March 31, 2025

31.6 miles

Unsupported

Start: County Road 18, Owatonna, MN. 7:34am

Finish: Two Rivers Park, Faribault, MN. 12:44pm

Boat: Wenonah Jensen II

MN DNR map and route description: Straight River segments and maps | Minnesota DNR

Trip Report from Scott Miller

Scott Duffus came up with the idea to do this just the day before we did it; we had been planning to do a training paddle on the Minnesota River but then once Scott had the idea that we could do an FKP attempt I was so excited. Since Scott lives in Owatonna and has paddled on the river many times he knew that the County 18 bridge is the furthest upstream access even though it is not on the DNR map. Both of us knew that there was going to be some snow and icy rain overnight before we launched and that the temperature would be in the mid 20’s. We knew we needed to be ready if we capsized in the cold water so we brought lots of extra warm clothes in dry bags that we clipped into the boat. AS we drove to the put-in the roads were covered in ice and there was fog. At the put-in we discovered that the canoe was frozen to the rack on top of Scott’s car and we couldn’t wrench it free (he had put it up there the day before, before the storm). Eventually, Scott poured some hot “Tailwind” (an electrolyte beverage he had in an insulated water bottle) on one of the connection points and we got it loose.

On launching we were plunged into a winter wonderland, with the branches on the trees on both sides of the river covered in sparkling snow and ice. We both wore many layers and paddled with gloves and warm boots. There were many deadfalls in the river that we had to carefully navigate through. The water levels were high and fast. We portaged the dam in Owatonna, and again portaged the rapids at Clinton Falls. On two other occasions we to portage around deadfalls that blocked the river completely. We had a few close calls when the swift current pushed us into large sticks or logs and we stopped abruptly and had to carefully balance the canoe and free ourselves.

Unexpectedly there were lots of rapids and it was very fun running them, but the standing waves were high enough that we had to stop and empty the canoe of water a few times. The last few miles there were beautiful high bluffs, some of which were composed of a striking blue soil. The rapids grew bigger and the sun came out and we were completely engrossed in the scenery and the challenge. At one rapids the standing waves were so big we almost certainly would have swamped but we were able to steer around them at the last second.

When we reached the end I checked water levels on the DNR website and in Owatonna they were rated “medium” but in Faribault they were “very high”; I think we rode a pulse of high water. This trip was at the upper limit for us in terms of our skills and safety but fortunately we didn’t capsize and we had a thrilling run.

Oh one more thing—we had left my car at the take-out but when we got there we discovered my keys were in Scott’s car at the put-in (in the jacket I’d left in his car). Thanks to Scott’s daughter Linnea for coming to our rescue! (and note to future paddlers: it’s so easy to somehow screw up the complicated logistics of running a shuttle!)

Video highlights below.