News from Central Iowa Paddlers

From Ames to Colfax to Des Moines, those who ply the water have been helping those who have been hurt by the water. The destruction caused by flood waters has been historic, but it is nothing new that paddlers have responded to the call and provided assistance. Whether you have provided assistance in helping people move, or cleaned up after the destruction, or contributed finacially, your support is appreciated. To those we know of, and the many who have helped without credit, we thank you for your response to the Iowa floods.

Paddling Opportunities on Labor Day

MAQUOKETA RIVER FLOAT, CIP & SIW, SAT-MON, SEP 4-6:
Sticks in the Water and Central Iowa Paddlers are co-hosting a Labor Day weekend paddling event on the Maquoketa River, coordinated by Robin Fortney, KJ Rebarcak, & Pam Stalnaker.

Paddling: We will paddle a different section of the river each of the three days of Labor Day weekend - all below Highway 136 in Jones and Jackson Counties . You may join us for one, two or three days of paddling. Shuttles will start at camp at Eden Valley Refuge at 10 a.m. each day. The Maquoketa River (a Class I river) flows through a beautiful area and, if it hasn't rained for awhile, the water can be clear. Each paddle trip will be approximately 8-12 miles long, with Monday the shortest. We will send another update the week prior once we have a river and weather forecast for the weekend. Note that this area, like so much of Iowa, has experienced flooding this summer, so there will likely be changes to the riverway.

Camping: Join us at Eden Valley Refuge, located just south of Baldwin on Highway 64 between Monmouth and Maquoketa. There are both electric and non-electric campgrounds. There are flush toilets and showers in the electric campground. We will share a potluck supper in camp on Sat and Sun nights (rest of the meals would be on your own). We suggest you bring your own water in addition to boating and camping gear. If you have an extra pop-up canopy and folding table, plan to bring them for group comfort.

Please RSVP to Robin at rbfortney@midamerican.com by August 30, 2010 if you plan to camp in the non-electric area as we have reserved 12 tent sites. Contact Clinton County Conservation at 563-847-7202 563-847-7202 sooner rather than later if you plan to camp in the electric campground.

A Message from Iowa Rivers Revival

Recently, it seems as though Iowa and flooding are becoming synonymous. It may be obvious and easy to blame it on the rain, however, we know there are multiple contributing factors to these extreme and increasing flood events. Science shows that it is likely we will continue to experience increased precipitation over the next decade - meaning we need practical, non-structural solutions to manage water and prevent flooding across Iowa.

Act locally
-          What is your city doing to reduce flood impacts and how are surrounding communities being included and involved? Contact your city officials and ask-make them aware of public concern and interest.
Advocate
-          Contact your state legislators. Write a letter, make a call or visit. Be a river advocate. Encourage increased funding for water quality and flood mitigation in Iowa. Let them know why you care. We need all Iowans reminding them this is an issue they cannot ignore. Find your state legislators here (many can also be found in your local phonebook): http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/.
Enact the Trust Fund
          On November 2nd Iowans have a historic opportunity to vote to establish the Iowa's Water and Land Legacy constitutional amendment - dedicated and protected funding for the specific purpose of enhancing and protecting Iowa's rivers, soil and natural habitat.
The times, they are a changin' and so must we! We cannot dismiss our current situation as a rare "100 year" disaster - we need to act now. If you need help connecting with people in your community about these issues or have any questions, please contact Iowa Rivers Revival- we would be glad to help.

Trip Report: Isle Royale Circumnavigation
by Steve Parrish

camping in solitude on the southern shore

Six paddlers set out on a bid to circumnavigate Isle Royale. Four of the paddlers, Steve Parrish, John Pearson, Rich McKnight and Brian Lange, are from central Iowa. The other two, James Keyes and Brett Ensor, are from Omaha. We drove to Copper Harbor Michigan in early August and took the Queen IV ferry out to the island ... the biggest island in the biggest fresh water lake in the world.

We succeeded in our mission, finishing a full two days ahead of our planned schedule. I won't call the trip to Isle Royale life changing, but rather life affirming. We did something they can't take away no matter what happens to us personally or collectively. We planned hard, prepared hard, stayed focused while doing it, and had the good luck to be able to do it when the Lady was willing to allow it (I'm referring to Superior, not our spouses or employers). And we did it as a team. This would not be doable but for the help, expertice and friendship of my fellow paddlers. We weren't tourists on this trip. We did not take many picutes or come up with interesting observations about the sights. Rather, we listened incessantly to our weather radios, poured over our maps, checked and rechecked equipment, and just paddled day after day. We finished at a fast clip ... four full days and two half days, 107 miles total.

The actual circumnavigation was almost uneventful. We had generally favorable winds, and good conditions when we needed them. There are three primary dragons to slay during the circumnavigation battle. One is Blake Point - the northeast tip that is subject to conflicting winds, shipping channel wakes and generally nasty conditions. We ran into some paddlers that had tried to round it a few hours earlier, but had been so buffeted that they came back to the protection of the harbor. We went into the point apprehensively, but found it to be an easy run. The second monster is the 13 miles of sheer wall on the northwest side that goes from Little Todd Harbor to Huginnen Cove. We started in calm conditions and actually had a helpful following wind push us along. Because the winds were not coming from the North, we were also able to find a couple of takeouts along the shore ... averting 13 miles in our boats without a break.

The final dragon to slay was the crossing of Siskiwit Bay on the southside. It is a big bay that you either cross in 4 miles of open water, or track the coast, losing time and adding miles. We got up at 5:30 to grab the winds while they were calm, and ventured out in the fog to Point Houghton to make our decision. When we got to the point, we were surronded by fog. For various reasons, we were down to only 1 reliable GPS and a bunch of compasses. We were seasoned from 3 days paddling, feeling good, and thirsting to do battle. So, we took a bearing, agreed on a heading and put me up front with my GPS to track our progress. We accomplished a blind crossing of Siskiwit Bay! The dragon was slain. The final day had the slopiest conditions. Reflective waves from a sheer rock coastline caused confused paddling conditions. This was the PERFECT way to finish. Enough rock and roll to make it a challenge, but not so much as to make it a scary ending.

CIP's John Pearson with Rolf Peterson

Once we were in the protection of the Moskey Basin we took a short detour to see a scientist's cabin we'd seen on our 2003 trip. Dr. Rolf Peterson is a scientist renowed for his research at Isle Royale on the ecological balance between wolves and moose: predator and prey. We paddled up to a cabin that had a display of hundreds of moose skulls. A man in waders walked into the water, and I asked if this was the cabin where Rolf had done his research? He looked down and said "yes, I'm Rolf". We were elated to be among royalty. I went into his cabin to sign his guest book and he came out to talk about his research with us. He ended up cutting up some zuchini bread his wife had made and he shared it with us. What an incredible ending!

This trip was not easy and it was a reminder of the march of time. But it was also a reminder that you sometimes have to wander off the path before you complete the march.

September Event Schedule

September 4-6 (Sat-Mon)
Labor Day Weekend Maquoketa River Floats
Contact Robin Fortney 515-277-1763

September 11th (Sat) 11:00AM
North Raccoon River Float & Music Fest
Contact Robin Fortney 515-277-1763
More Information

September 12th (Sun) 7:30AM
Great Ames Adventure Race (GAAR)
Paddle, Bike and Run event at Ada Hayden Heritage park; Ames
More Information

September 18th (Sat) 7:30AM
Dragoon River Romp
Des Moines River Cleanup; Boone
Registration Required
More Information

September 18th-19th (Sat-Sun)
Root River, Minnesota
Contact Bill Graham

September 19th (Sun)
Fever River Adventure Triathlon; Galena, IL
Paddle, Bike, Run
More Information

Participants 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.

Why Paddlers Should Support Iowa Rivers Revival

Iowa Rivers Revival is the statewide river advocacy group committed to protecting some of our most precious natural resources - our rivers and streams. IRR is working to engage individuals, organizations, communities and government leaders in river awareness, responsibility and enjoyment in an effort to improve and enhance the condition of Iowa's waterways -ensuring a quality, safe and lasting resource for future generations. Since 2008, IRR continues to grow organizational capacity by developing educational and recreational river programs to engage children, adults and families about the multiple benefits of rivers and by expanding the network of statewide supporters to advocate on behalf of Iowa's rivers which is essential to impacting change in policy, opinions and behaviors.

River conditions, water quality and flood protection continue to be key natural resource concerns in Iowa. IRR is committed to:

Advocating for consistent state funding for river conservation and water quality initiatives.
Encouraging non-structural, natural solutions for flood protection and improved water quality.
Reconnecting communities to their rivers.
Strengthening the statewide river network--one unified voice for the protection and preservation of Iowa's rivers.