This took longer than expected.  We started unloading the Kayak at 0930 and were off by 945.

Early on we encountered a large log that blocked the entire waterway.
We decided to try getting on the log and pulling the Sea Eagle, which worked, except for me slipping, and hanging around for awhile.  Eventually I was able to swing a leg up and over, and Tom got the Canoe over the log.  The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful.  We encountered a deer early on, a few herons, and watched some mother ducks flailing around, to distract us from her dozen babies.

There were many twists and turns, most involving tree branches in our faces.  We had to get out a few more times to go around some logs, and rapids were few and far between.  The stop in Locke Lake was good for a quick lunch.  Then it was off to the Mississippi.  That was a nice float for maybe half an hour.   We arrived around 1:15 and shuttled and returned home by 2.

More Info on the Rice Creek Paddle Trip:

Should be at least 8.5 feet, at 9 feet or more poses culvert risks:

Water Level:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?05288580

Detailed Writeup from Minnesota Conservation Volunteer:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/marapr10/getaways.html