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Who We Are:
Central Iowa Paddlers is an informal group of paddlesport enthusiasts formed in 1997.
What We Do:
The mission of the club is to share paddling information, promote paddling opportunities and paddlesport safety, and encourage care of our aquatic
resources for both new and experienced paddlers.
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CIP is now on Facebook
Share your trip reports, event details, pictures, videos with other members of CIP!
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Join the CIP Yahoo Group!
Benefits of a Yahoo Group:
- facilitates member to member communication
- Timely Information about cancellations and short notice trip opportunities
- offers group discussion among members
- eases the burden of one person having to communicate all group messages.
- You get to choose how you receive CIP's emails
Click here to learn how to join CIP's Yahoo! Group: paddleiowa
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Greetings!
KCRG TV9 Photo of Lake Delhi Aftermath  | The news this summer has been filled with reports of damage from storms and flooded rivers. Some wonder if mother nature is trying to tell us something. Some are just in awe of the power of moving water. Some are sad for the folks who lost property and land. Yet, some remain oblivious. Our intimate connection with rivers surely fosters an appreciation and respect for the power and beauty of rivers and moving water. Most rivers continue to flow at above average levels, so please be safe and use good judgment. The CIP Board |
REGISTER NOW: River Run Garbage Grab
Saturday August 14th
 Don't forget to register for one of Iowa's largest river cleanup events. You can participate on land or on water. More than 40 tons of trash have been removed in a single event and as many as 400 participants have come together to make this event a success. The Izaak Walton League and Central Iowa Paddlers have had a part in the event since its inception nine years ago. Keep the tradition alive and count yourself in this year! River Run Garbage Grab (also known as R2G2) is scheduled for Saturday, August 14th. To learn more about the event and to register go to www.riverstewards.org. |
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Paddle to the Park w/Kevin Cooney August 22nd
 Join Kevin Cooney, KCCI news anchor and supporter of Metro area trails for the Paddle to the Park event, which includes a morning paddle on a rarely experienced stretch of the Raccoon River, a cookout at Principal Park, Iowa Cubs souvenir t-shirt, parking, and reserved seating for the game against the Nashville Sounds at 1:05pm--all for only $22.00. CIP learned that Kevin and his son paddled to an Iowa Cubs game a couple years ago and enlisted his assistance to make this an official event. Kevin, a paddler and steadfast supporter of trails, agreed to help out however he could. Everything has come together quite well, thanks to Kevin. CIP also thought it relevant since the Raccoon River in Polk County is currently being developed as a state water trail, thanks to the Iowa DNR's water trails program and the City of Des Moines Park & Recreation, as well as other organizations. Currently there are 7 registered for the event, but 25 are required in order to fulfill our obligation to Principal Park. Registration deadline is August 17th, so please register right away!
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CIP Members Help Plant Trees at Saylorville
Bill "the loon" Hamilton
 | Bill Hamilton reported that on Friday, May 7, Chad Pregrake's group Living Lands and Waters, MidAmerican Energy and the US Army Corps of Engineers held a tree planting event on Red Feather Prairie east
of Saylorville lake, south of Cherry Glenn.
About 200 volunteer
planters showed up to plant over 6000 trees in just over two hours. As we
gathered back at a shelter tent Greg paid a complement to all the volunteers. Chad remarked that this was the largest volunteer planter turnout and that they had planted a record number of trees, including Red Bud, Swamp and White Oak. They gave out some left over trees to anyone who wanted them.
Greg recognized Volunteers from Wells Fargo Bank and Mid
America Energy, but didn't mention any others. Bill spoke up to let Chad know there were volunteers from Central Iowa Paddlers present, and Chad was quick to acknowledge them.
This planting event was expected to last all day Friday and finished up on Saturday morning, but the job was finished by the
ambitious volunteers in just over two hours.
A pizza place from Des Moines sent a pickup truck loaded with
free pizza's that they all enjoyed.
At 81 years of age Bill hopes someday to see the red bud
bloom early in the spring and perhaps see acorns fall for the deer, and
squirrels to help sustain life in a new Forrest.
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Beaver Creek Water Trail Project Proposed
Des Moines River at Mouth of Beaver Creek (early 1900s)
 | Advocates for a Beaver Creek water trail met July 22nd at the old Simpson Barn in Johnston to discuss thoughts, wishes, and ideas. Representatives from the Iowa DNR, Polk County Conservation, City of Johnston Park & Rec, and CIP Board voiced support for the project, which would ideally have a launch located near the NW86th St/NW 70th Ave intersection in NW Johnston and a landing somewhere near NW Beaver Dr, just under six miles in distance. Sue Davies, self-proclaimed instigator of the project has wanted to see something develop for a while now and there appears to be good community support, as well as support from Polk County Conservation, who will likely be writing the grant. There is good timing, too, since the Iowa DNR Water Trails program is in the final stages of a comprehensive water trails plan for the state, which includes a "How to" guide with several examples and templates. In addition to offering access to a beautiful stream within the Des Moines Metro area, this new water trail will connect with the Des Moines River water trail, providing an alternate opportunity to launch from Beaver Creek at Beaver Dr and land at Prospect Park for a nice after work paddle.
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Paddlers Unite to Support IWILL Campaign!
Paddlers showed up in earnest for the Iowa Rivers Revival media event scheduled for July 18th on the Raccoon River to promote awareness of the constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot in November.
IRR teamed with Iowa's Water & Land Legacy to get the message out, and members of Central Iowa Paddlers answered the call. Mike Delaney counted 28 boats and 46 paddlers. Unfortunately, a wicked storm the night before and record national guard deployments attracted all the media attention. Thankfully, Kent Newman was there with camera and video equipment to record the event. Roz Lehman, IRR executive director, was very pleased with the turnout and extends her thanks to all paddlers who participated in the event. The launch and landing were well marked with beautiful flags from Bob Brammer's fine collection. It was a cooperative effort with everyone helping to load and unload boats and gear, and assist with shuttles.
Click here to see a 49 second video of all the paddlers on the river.
A note from Bob Brammer:There's a lot more work to be done for Iowa's rivers and the Iowa Water and Land
Legacy vote coming up Nov. 2! Please say you will be on call for more
activities (www.voteyesIowa.org).
BTW,
the River Gods and Weather Gods clearly were smiling on us
Sunday.
Big storms before the float...big storms afterthe
float. And the river rose dramatically to flood levels starting late Sunday
after we were home. We were fortunate. I
haven't been on this stretch of river for years. It's quite a float right in
the heart of our metro area -- complete with plenty of herons, king fishers . .
. . we even saw a beautiful mature bald eagle, and Mike Havlik heard a pileated
woodpecker.
THANKS again. Best wishes to you, and see you again on the
river!
Bram |
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Volunteers Requested for IRR River Rascals
River Rascals learn about water quality in 2009
 | The first event for this year's IRR River Rascals program kicked off yesterday, July 31st, at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt. The weather was perfect for the 7 rascals and their adult mentors. The rascals adventured along the banks of the greenbelt netting bugs to examine. The kids thoroughly enjoyed this and were surprised at the number of live things that live in what most humans consider "muck" along the banks. Several crayfish and water scorpions were found, as well as frogs, tadpoles, and other bugs. The group was lucky to view several green herons, which appeared to be undisturbed by the yelps and hollers of the excited rascals. After lunch, the rascals learned the parts of canoes and paddles, some basic strokes, how to get into and out of a canoe and off to the water they went. Some found racing enjoyable, but others just were excited to be out on the water seeing nature from a different perspective. Lastly, they wrote and colored in their handmade journals about their experience in nature. More Adults Requested!Mentors are already scheduled for the next two outings, but it's always nice to have additional paddlers on hand. If you would like to help out on Saturday August 7th or Saturday August 14th, please contact Robin Fortney at rbfortney@midamerican.com or at 515-277-1763. |
August Event Schedule
August 1 (Sun)
Ray Knight B-Day Float
To Be Determined
Contact Ray Knight August 2 (Mon) 4:30-7:00PM
Seatasea Free Demo Paddle
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area, Palo
More Information August 7th (Sat) 9:00AM
Skunk River Cleanup (Jasper Co Conservation)
Registration Required
More Information
August 12-22
Volunteers Needed for Iowa DNR Booth at Iowa State Fair
Contact Todd Robertson at 515-281-8969
August 12 (Thur) 6:00-9:00PM
Canoe Basics Instruction (DSM Park & Rec)
Gray's Lake, Des Moines
Register Online or call 515-242-8521
August 13-15 (Fri - Sat)Lower Wapsipinicon River Cleanup Registration Required More InformationAugust 14th (Sat) 9:00AMRiver Run Garbage Grab Des Moines River in Polk County Registration Required
More Information August 14th (Sat) 1:00-6:00PMCanoe Float Archeaology (Dallas Co Conservation) Middle & South Raccoon Register by Aug 11th More InformationAugust 16th (Mon) 4:30-7:00PMSeatasea Free Demo Paddle Lake MacBride, Solon More InformationAugust 19th (Thur) 5:30-8:00PMOpen Canoe & Kayak (Jasper Co Conservation) Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve More InformationAugust 21st (Sat)Floatzilla Mississippi River, Quad Cities Registration Required More InformationAugust 22nd (Sun) 9:00AMPaddle to the Park Raccoon River, Des Moines Registration Required More InformationAugust 24th (Tue)Full Moon Float (DSM Park & Rec) Gray's Lake, Des Moines Contact Tim Smith 248-6315 August 26th (Thur) 6:00-9:00PMAdvanced Canoe Basics (DSM Park & Rec) Gray's Lake, Des Moines Register Online or call 515-242-8521 August 30th (Mon) 4:30-7:00PMSeatasea Free Demo Paddle Lake MacBride, Solon More InformationParticipants in paddling events should
contact the trip coordinator ahead of time
for trip details and in case conditions or plans change. Bring rain
gear, extra clothes in a dry bag, plenty of water and snacks, hat,
sunscreen, PFD, extra paddle, and anything else you may need to be
comfortable in unexpected weather conditions. |
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Metro Area Paddling Classes for Beginners and Intermediates
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How Do You Sign-up for CIP's Yahoo! Group?
We're so happy you want to know. It doesn't cost anything, and it's actually fairly easy to do. Once you've done it, you'll be amazed at how easy it is to communicate with fellow members and stay informed between monthly updates.
Most of you have been receiving messages from Lynn Aldridge, our membership guru and fellow board member. For years, Lynn has done an outstanding job posting messages, which sometimes requires her to be the intermediary between the sender and individual members who have questions. It's quite a burden, but she's never complained. While we are in this transition process she will continue to send out messages as she has always done, but the board has decided to gradually transition to communicating through the newly created yahoo group: paddleiowa.
We have created instructional PDF files to help you create a Yahoo! ID and join the CIP Yahoo! Group called Paddleiowa. You must have a Yahoo! ID before you can join any groups.
- How to create a Yahoo! ID
- How to Join the Paddleiowa Yahoo! Group
If you have any questions, or experience problems, contact us!
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Ongoing Paddling Activities
Practice Makes Perfect
Tuesdays at Blue Heron Lake (Raccoon River Park) in West Des Moines, 6:00PM:
Todd Roberston, outreach coordinator for the Iowa DNR River Programs, continues to meet with other paddlers in his off time every Tuesday at Blue Heron Lake at 6PM. This is an informal gathering of paddlers where all are welcome regardless of skill level to come share and practice skills and talk about paddling. They meet at the parking lot boat ramp located right across from the main entrance, right off Grand Ave.MAPContact Todd Robertson for more details.
Wednesdays at Ada Hayden in Ames, 7:00PM:Skunk River Paddlers continue to meet informally at Ada Hayden Lake in Ames. MAPFor more information, contact Greg Vitale.: Every month, Normally the Saturday closest to the full moon, a group gets together for an evening paddle on Lake Red Rock in Marion County. For more information, contact Diane Lowry or John Craun.
Contact Tim Smith at Des Moines Park & Recreation: 248-6315 |
Thanks for taking the time to peruse CIP's monthly update. If you have questions, concerns or feedback, please contact us.
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Sincerely,
Central Iowa Paddlers Board of Directors
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