Join Elizabeth Reetz, Education Director at the Office of the State Archaeologist, as she discusses Iowa's cultural history and the importance of Iowa waterways to that history.

This free, public event will begin at 7:00 pm on November 4 in Hagge Park, South of Sac City, IA.

Elizabeth Reetz holds a BA in Anthropology and an MA in Landscape Archaeology.  She is particularly interested in late prehistoric cultures of the Midwest, pottery analysis, and community-based archaeology.  Her work experience has included time as an archaeologist in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

This program is free of charge, but preregistration is requested.

To register, contact Sac County Conservation at 712-662-4530 or sccbnat@frontiernet.net.

This event is cosponsored by Sac County Conservation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 

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Jim Liechty, Director of the Madison County Conservation Board, cites unusually good water levels on the Middle River WT, and invites you to visit:

"With frequent fall rains, the Middle River Water Trail has been running at excellent levels since early September. With soils remaining saturated, small feeder streams still flowing, and field tiles fully charged, we are anticipating that the flow rates will continue to provide optimum paddling for the next two to three weeks. Most of the prime fall tree color is fading fast, but many river bottom trees are still holding foliage and wildlife viewing at this time of year is excellent."

You can contact Jim at the Madison CCB office, 515-462-3536, or visit madccb@madisoncountyparks.org

Photo along Middle River WT by Jim Liechty

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Iowa Rivers Revival is accepting applications for the annual River Town of the Year award.  Each year IRR recognizes an Iowa town or city for outstanding efforts to reclaim river-fronts as anchors for economic development, recreation, and good ecological practices.  Cities are invited to apply for the award, or citizens may nominate their town. 

 
Applications are due by December 13, 2014.   Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to protecting and maintaining river water quality and promoting the river as an asset to the town. The award will be presented in early 2015 at a reception hosted by Iowa Rivers Revival in the River Town of the Year community.
 
For a detailed application, more information about the award or Iowa Rivers Revival, please go to www.iowarivers.org . 

Examples of award criteria include, but are not limited to these activities: 
* River tourism efforts;
* Historic and cultural preservation;
* Providing river access (programs, trails, portages, guide info);
* Annual or seasonal river clean-up or event;
* Partnerships to protect and enhance local river or stream;

Central City embraced its riverfront as part of flood recovery to help earn a 2013 IRR award.

* Dam mitigation and/or safety awareness;

* Promoting commerce that accommodates river enthusiasts (commercial establishments - - e.g., bed & breakfasts, bait/fish shops, restaurants, canoe boat/rentals).
   

Rosalyn Lehman, Executive Director, Iowa Rivers Revival, 515-724-4093, rlehman@iowarivers.org  |  www.iowarivers.org 

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In a format similar to the Iron Chef TV show, high school teams from Burlington, Mediapolis, Fort Madison, Ottumwa, Eddyville-Blakesburg, Cardinal and Mount Pleasant competed on October 17 at Indian Hills Community College for scholarship money to attend IHCC's Culinary Arts program. The competition has been held twice yearly for the last seven years, with six-person teams and their teachers demonstrating their skills in an on-campus studio in front of friends and family.

Contestants are judged on their kitchen skills, service and taste as they respond to the challenge of preparing a meal with a "secret ingredient."  In this case, the secret ingredient was Silver Carp (invasive "flying" carp), so teams were allowed to learn how to work with the species' difficult boney structure prior to the contest.

Congratulations to the Eddyville-Blakesburg High School team, winner of the October 17 competition.

In an interview with WHO TV Channel 13, IHCC department director Chef Gordon Rader stated, "You've got a lot of bones there.  Now, traditionally, that means flavor, and it's true - the fish is great. It's clean, it's crisp, it holds up, it marinates. Let's talk about, 200 pounds of live-weight, you're probably going to get about three pounds of usable product. For most folks, they want something boneless. But if you can get past the bone-piece, it's a great fish."

"I'm interested to see what these high school students can do with it," Rader said. "It's an enjoyable fish to eat. The students said that it tasted better than tuna." These fish have white flesh with a mild flavor unlike its cousin the common carp that feeds on the bottom and has a strong fish taste.

The Iowa DNR collected silver carp for the competition, and sees them as a resource that is already in many of our waterways, one which they hope more people will use.  The competition and public visibility is also an opportunity to remind people to not introduce them into additional areas where they will impact native fish.

Silver and bighead carp were imported from Asia in the 1970's to help maintain commercial catfish farm ponds.  Another example of "it seemed like a good idea at the time," the fish were in natural waters by 1980.  They are known to inhabit the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, but their first documented appearance on an interior river was the Des Moines River in 2003.  These carp feed by filtering microscopic organisms, competing directly with our native aquatic species.  They reproduce rapidly and grow to between 50 and 100 pounds, seriously impacting the available food supply.  Given their size and ability to leap up to 10 feet out of the water, they also present a risk to boaters and water skiers.

Check out the full report from WHO-TV Channel 13 in Ottumwa, including video of the "flying carp:"

http://whotv.com/2014/10/17/dnr-eat-this-invasive-fish-to-combat-overpopulation/ 

Iowa DNR Fact Sheets on Silver Carp & other aquatic invasive species:

http://www.iowadnr.gov/idnr/Fishing/AboutFishinginIowa/FightingInvasiveSpecies/InvasiveFish.aspx  

The Partnership for River Restoration and Science in the Upper Midwest chose Dubuque as the site for its 6th annual Upper Midwest Stream Restoration Symposium on February 8-11, 2015.  With stream restoration gaining traction in the Iowa legislature, this could be a unique and convenient opportunity to network with practitioners in our "neighborhood." More info at http://www.prrsum.org/ 

The Upper Midwest Stream Restoration Symposium (UMSRS) presents a unique opportunity to bring together regional stream restoration practitioners so they may share experiences and expertise with colleagues working within similar environmental and land-use conditions.  Attendees from multi-disciplinary backgrounds will hear about innovative restoration designs and approaches as well as have the opportunity to network with the region's leading stream restoration practitioners.

UMSRS looks to provide a collaborative environment which will allow an interdisciplinary approach to stream restoration and other related watershed sciences, hence a broad range of speakers and topics are scheduled.  The symposium will include both oral and poster presentations related to stream restoration, including design and related analyses, alternatives analysis, implementation, and monitoring, as well as the planning, regulatory, and funding context under which stream restoration occurs. Selected presentations will be grouped into topical sessions.

UMSRS will take place over 2.5 days, opening with a Sunday night dinner and a keynote talk. The Symposium is single-track (no concurrent sessions) so that all attendees hear all presentation and discussions. Keynote speakers will open each day followed by oral and poster presentations.  Pre-symposium short courses will also be offered concurrently prior to the kickoff dinner on February 8, 2015.  More information on the short courses will be coming soon.

The Symposium will be held in Dubuque, Iowa at the Hotel Julien. The venue will allow easy access from across the Midwest via air or car. Organizers have worked hard to keep registration costs as low as possible, and provide several options for single or multi-day attendance.  Early bird (discounted) registration is available until November 28, 2014.  Regular registration will be open until January 16, 2015.  Info and registration at http://www.prrsum.org/content/registration

The deadlines for session topics and for oral presentations have already passed, but posters will continue to be accepted until registration closes on January 16, 2015.  If you have any questions or if you need further information please contact: Barbara Heitkamp, UMSRS Coordinator

Presenters have been encouraged to incorporate some of the following in their presentations:

• Stream Restoration Design and Monitoring
• Regulation and Stream Restoration:  Where am I and what am I doing here?
• Water Quality Management in Midwest Streams
• Assessment and Monitoring of Stream Restoration Success
• Managing Invasive Species in Midwest River
• Aesthetics in Stream Restoration
• Rural Stream Restoration
• Ecology and Stream Restoration
• Stream Restoration and Agricultural Drainage
• Lessons Learned:  Stream Restoration Failures (be a brave soul!)
• Stream Restoration Education: Using Projects as Teaching Tools for the Public

The Partnership for River Restoration and Science in the Upper Midwest (PRRSUM, pronounced "prism") was created to address river research and restoration in the Upper Midwest, an area of intense activity involving federal and local agencies, watershed managers, consultants, researchers, and educators. Organizers identified a clear demand for discussion, knowledge exchange, and collaboration between these entities, including two-way exchanges between research and practice as well as interagency communication.  Learn more about PRRSUM at  http://www.prrsum.org/content/home

Many of you already subscribe to the Iowa Outdoors magazine, but this is the time of year to keep it in mind as a holiday gift.  Articles on outdoor recreation, all forms of trails, flora, fauna, food, and places to explore around the state ensure that it will be enjoyed by just about anyone, and a great resource for kids and grandkids.  Whether that person on your list likes to hunt for a trophy buck, a record crappie, the elusive mushroom, or the perfect photo, the magazine provides ideas and examples to improve their success.

Iowa Outdoors magazine is entertaining, educational, and a great holiday gift!

https://programs.iowadnr.gov/epay/subscription/  

The "float season" is drawing to a close, but please keep in mind that most of the 2014 topics can be enjoyed as indoor presentations during the fall and winter. You may also want to be added to the contact list for announcement of WT Education Programming for 2015.  Contact Todd Robertson, Outreach Coordinator for DNR River Programs, at 515-979-9538 or todd.robertson@dnr.iowa.gov . 

Aquatic Insects; Jacklyn Gautsch, Biologist IDNR Watershed Monitoring & Assessment.

Discover the interesting adaptations & life cycle of aquatic invertebrates which dwell below the water surface.

Freshwater Mussels; Jennifer Kurth, Natural Resources Biologist in IDNR Watershed Improvement Section.

Meet these valuable components of freshwater biodiversity-Mother Nature's water filters.

Geologic History of Iowa River Valleys; Geologists from IDNR Geology & Groundwater Section.

Learn about the origin & evolution of Iowa's river valleys & the surrounding upland landscape.

River Critters & Wild Life; Wildlife and Interpretive Specialist Dr. Jim Pease.

Find & understand the wide variety of interconnected wildlife along Iowa's rivers, from birds & mammals to trees & shrubs.

Riparian Plant Program; IDNR Botanist John Pearson.

Learn to recognize the trees, shrubs, & wildflowers which inhabit our waterways, lakeshores, riverbanks & floodplains. 

Iowa's Archaeological Past, A History of Iowa Cultural History; OSA Staff Cherie Haury-Artz & Elizabeth Reetz.

Reflect on the importance of Iowa's water trails to various people and cultures through time.

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This could be an article about:

• Your upcoming WT recreation, education, or cleanup event.
• Your upcoming WT organizing or stakeholder event. 
• The valuable contributions of your WT volunteers.
• The oldest or youngest users of your WT.
• Your most unique WT programming of 2014.
• Your most successful WT program ideas.
• What you learned from a less-than-successful WT event.
• What you believe to be the most valuable contributions of WTs to Iowa.
• Your request for assistance on how to address a WT challenge, create a WT opportunity,                or solve a WT problem.

Whatever you are proud of, concerned for, or wondering about, your WT community is here to provide support. Just tap in to your resources.

Contact us at iowawta@gmail.com 

Paved access for canoes & kayaks.

These photos were taken at Access 22 on the Boone River WT in Briggs Woods County Park, two miles south of Webster City on Highway 17. 

The original 60 acres of land was donated to the public in 1919, making Briggs Woods one of the oldest county parks in Iowa. The park has grown to over 555 acres with camping, swimming, trails, golf and river access.

The campground includes 30 full service sites, 81 sites with electrical hook-up only, plus primitive sites with modern shower and restroom facilities nearby. The park also offers four camper cabins, each accommodating four people.

The 70 acre lake offers a sand beach, fishing from shore or via boats with electric motors, and canoe or kayak rentals. 

Briggs Woods Spillway Ditch 166 provides the adventurous paddler with a whitewater thrill of a five ledge drop of 20 feet in just .3 miles, at speeds of 60 feet per minute through the rapids.  The scenic route also offers views of two waterfalls.

If the boating/fishing/camping/hiking/paddling options aren't enough, check out the adjoining 18-hole par 72 public golf course.

Download a map of the Boone River WT in Hamilton County: 

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/CanoeingKayaking/WaterTrails/WaterTrailMapsBrochures.aspx 

Info about Briggs Woods County Park: http://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Hamilton/Park/Briggs-Woods-Park-and-Golf-Course.aspx

Tranquility on the lake at Briggs Woods County Park in Hamilton County.

Photos by G.Stark 

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