Brother and sister team Sam Childs and Hannah Childs invites you to paddle any or all of the 43 miles of the Maquoketa River in Delaware County:

 

"The rivers are flowing again and the weather and water is getting warmer, a perfect time to celebrate spring! Join us for a paddle across the majority of Delaware County on the Maquoketa River. We will be paddling 43 miles of the river all in one day. The river starts as a creek sized stream containing numerous log jams and strainers as it winds its way through timber lined banks (this upper section is water dependent), then widening through farmland, and riverside communities along the way. 

 

"Participants who do not wish to tackle 43 miles all in one day are encouraged to please paddle any section of the Maquoketa River in Delaware County of their choosing and enjoy the river that day or all weekend. *Please note* The whitewater park in Manchester is under construction and likely to still be under construction April 18th. Open paddling in or through the park is strongly discouraged. Please do not paddle at the whitewater park while it is still under construction. There are access points above and below the whitewater park for easy portaging." 

 

Put in: 7:00 am at Joy Springs Park west of Strawberry Point, IA

Length of paddle, take out, take out time?: As far as we can paddle down the Maquoketa River or Hoeger's Bridge (Pioneer Road Access) south of Delhi off Hwy 38, whichever comes first.

Approximate distance from Joy Springs to Hoeger's Bridge is 43 river miles.

Current water level the day of the paddle will affect how far up we can put in. This will be determined the evening before the paddle as river levels fluctuate.

 

Plan A: Meet at the put in or any put in of your choice and paddle down the river. Set your own shuttle, bring your own lunch, no cost, just join us on the river!

 

Plan B: We will provide the shuttle and lunch on the river for $25.00 per person. Must have all your own paddling equipment.

 

Please let us know you're coming (Plan A or B) so we can get a general count of how many paddlers to expect. Plan B participants must RSVP by April 5th, so we can get the shuttle and food rounded up.

 

Questions and RSVP direct to: hannah_rayj@yahoo.com

For more info, Find us on Facebook. 

 

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Clinton County Conservation Board will be hosting a "Shores of Clinton County Paddle" at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 18, at Rock Creek Park, Off US 67 South of Camanche.

 

This season opener will be in the quiet backwaters of the Upper Mississippi Wildlife and Fish Refuge (UMWFR). Participants will meet at the MRETC in Rock Creek Park and be checked in and ready to depart at 10:00 am. 

 

We will move as a group to the put-in below the US 67 crossing of Rock Creek. We'll follow the creek's channel South and then East to The Tubes and Pond Lilly Lake, then West to Tyler Lake, Sodus Slough and Shaft Creek, a trip of about 5 miles. If time allows we'll explore the Lost Lakes Water Trail. We hope to be finished around 1:30 pm, just in time to settle in for some music at the Riverside Jam beginning at 2 PM. 

 

There is a rental fee of $15/boat/day for the use of Clinton County Conservation watercraft. You are welcome to join us in your own craft but must follow the group's requirements. Register for this, or any Shores of Clinton County event by calling 563-259-1876.

 

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While this seminar is not focused solely on outdoor photography, it provides access to an excellent presenter and content at minimal cost. 

Apr 25; Linn Area Photo Club, Canon "Explorers of Light" Seminar, Award-Winning Photographer Eddie Tapp, Cedar Rapids.  

9:30am-4:30pm.  

Learn about Tapp and his work at http://eddietapp.com/

Event is free, but preregistration is required:  http://linnareaphotoclub.org/ 

 

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Facing similar budget pressures as most areas of state government, Iowa's citizen volunteer water monitoring program, IOWATER, relies even more heavily on those trained citizens to conduct basic water chemical, physical and biological measurements.  Volunteers are provided with the tools, equipment, and training to understand and help protect Iowa's valuable water resources.  You are encouraged to register and participate in any of the training session dates listed below. If you are already a trained volunteer, but possibly discouraged by recent problems reporting your data, a new website is now up and running.

 

IOWATER Introductory Training dates for 2015, so far. 

April 30, 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Osceola.

May 9, 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Road SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

JUST ADDED--May 23, 8:30 - 4:30 pm, Sac City

June 19, 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Upper Iowa University, Baker-Hebron Bldg, Rm 106; 605 Washington St., Fayette, IA 52142

June 26, 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Des Moines, 11730 SE 6th, Runnells, IA 50237 (ELC facility)

 

Visit the IOWATER webpage and click on "Calendar of Events" for registration information:

www.iowadnr.gov/iowater

  

More info at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WaterQuality/WaterMonitoring/IOWATER/

Or email iowater@dnr.iowa.gov

 

Iowa Whitewater Coalition held its annual meeting on Feb 7 during the Canoesport Outfitters Paddle and Pedal Expo in Indianola. Dave Hillman was elected IWC president, succeeding Lyle Danielson. Dylan Verhoef was appointed treasurer, succeeding Julie Kunkle.

 

Keynote speaker Nate Hoogeveen, Director of River Programs for the Iowa DNR and an IWC past president, provided another fine update on progress with low head dam mitigation projects around the state. Highlights included removal of dams at Rockford and North Washington, and new rock arch rapids conversions at Goldfield and Quasqueton. Future plans include removal of the Quaker Mill Dam with reconstruction of a levy to redirect the Maquoketa River back into its original channel.

 

Lyle Danielson demonstrated a newly redesigned look of web pages for the IWC website homepage and the Iowa Low Head Dam Reference. The new pages are designed to be responsive for suitable display on mobile and tablet devices as well as on standard and wide monitors. The low head dam reference web pages are intended to share information about river safety, and to warn of danger at dams and other hazards. Consider visiting this web site when planning your next river outing in Iowa.

• IWC home page: http://www.iowawhitewater.org/ 
• Low Head Dam Reference home page: http://www.iowawhitewater.org/lhd/ 

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Proud Manchester citizens filled the Franklin Street Brewing Company "to the brim" on March 4, as Iowa Rivers Revival named Manchester its "River Town of the Year" for 2015.  The award recognizes the city and its many partners for removing a dam and creating the Manchester Whitewater Park slated to open this spring, and for other efforts aimed at making the Maquoketa River "the defining attraction for the town."  

 

"Manchester is making the Maquoketa River the heart and soul of the community again, a focus for recreation, economic development, and environmental stewardship," said Jerry Peckumn, Board Chair of Iowa Rivers Revival (IRR).

 

Doug Hawker with the River & Rec Committee, Dean Sherman, Chair of the Good to Great (G2G) Committee, Tim Vick, City of Manchester, and Ryan Wicks, Chair of G2G River & Rec Committee accepted the award on behalf of Manchester.

 

Iowa Rivers Revival pointed to several key river-related projects in and near Manchester, including the Manchester Whitewater Park, revitalizing the riverfront, initiating efforts to make the Maquoketa River a designated Iowa Water Trail, protecting the river and environment, restoring the river, fostering fisheries, initiating removal of the Quaker Mill Dam (likely summer/fall 2015), and integrating river projects with other economic development efforts.

 

The $1.8 million whitewater project - removing the nine-foot downtown dam, constructing six 18-inch drops and rocky pools over an 800-foot run, and enhancing the riverfront - is near completion after construction all winter.  The Whitewater Park, right in the heart of town, will open this spring - a recreational playground for citizens and visitors, a setting for community events, a destination for anglers, a magnet for kayakers, canoers, and tubers.  Additional work will include expanding walking / biking trails along the river, with a goal of connecting several city parks, removing dilapidated buildings in the greenbelt, beautifying the riverfront, improving access for anglers and boaters, organizing cleanups, and creating places for spectators, music events, & public celebrations.

 

Manchester's "Good to Great" organization has been a catalyst.  In 2009, it formed a "River & Recreation" committee (RRC).  The RRC's goal was to develop partnerships, envision projects and find funding to make the riverfront the town's "defining attraction," as the city told IRR recently.  "They realized that the time was now to restore the river to its natural state and to do it in a manner beneficial to both the health of the river and the health of the community." The Whitewater Park is the premier result, and its financial framework reflects the working partnership.  The $1.8 million project was funded by $600,000 from the city; $200,000 from the State DNR's "Low-Head Dam Mitigation & Water Trails" program; $300,000 from Vision Iowa CAT & RECAT grant; $100,000 from State REAP grant; $50,000 from Delaware County; and $630,000 in community campaign private donations by generous citizens and businesses.

Excellent community turnout for the award ceremony.

 

"Collaboration is crucial," said Peckumn, the IRR's board chair.  "All these efforts in Manchester and on the Maquoketa are characterized by a rich mix of public and private cooperation, and partnerships between city, county and state governments, other public agencies, businesses, organizations, land-owners, and volunteers.  That's how communities embrace their rivers and become River Town of the Year.

 

Peckumn put in a plug for the State DNR's work on river programs, dam mitigation and water trails.  "The State has been an invaluable partner," Peckumn said, "a catalyst for transforming how communities relate to their rivers." DNR programs provide matching funds, planning, technical support, fishery and wildlife expertise, reports on existing conditions in watersheds, "reconnaissance" of biological and archaeological conditions, and coordination of efforts to create water trails and better access so Iowans can fully enjoy and protect their rivers. A dozen low-head dams have been removed or modified over the last four years with State coordination, and 15 more projects are under way.  Three include whitewater recreation features that bring visitors and bolster the local economy - Charles City, Elkader, and soon Manchester.

 

Read more at: http://iowarivers.org/manchester-named-river-town-of-the-year/ 

Photos by G.Stark 

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Iowa Rivers Revival, a group that advocates for rivers, named Council Bluffs "River City of the Year" in recognition of the city's outstanding efforts to renew its connections to the Missouri River. The award was presented during a March 6 ceremony at Harrah's Casino overlooking the Missouri River.  Mayor Matt Walsh, Mark Eckman, Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Larry Foster, Director of Park and Recreation and Public Property, accepted the award on behalf of Council Bluffs.

 

"It's a great success story," said Roz Lehman, Director of Iowa Rivers Revival (IRR). "Council Bluffs' recipe includes strong vision, focused planning, and constant collaboration," Lehman said.  "The result is outstanding features and events that are bringing citizens and visitors back to the river to live and work and play.  It's a model for communities all over Iowa."

 

IRR highlighted several key river-related projects in and near Council Bluffs, including the Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park (90 acre site for music, art, & recreation, dedicated 2013), Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Playland Park Master Plan, and ongoing collaborative partnerships to protect & enhance the environment, water quality, and outdoor recreation.

 

"The 2,300-foot-long Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is a spectacular feature, day or night, connecting Council Bluffs and Omaha over the Missouri and drawing people back to the river," Lehman said. The $22 million "cable stay" bridge opened Sept. 28, 2008.  It connects to over 100 miles of recreational trails on both sides of the river, including Council Bluffs' 13-mile-long Riverfront Trail for bikers, walkers, runners and skaters.  The Trail connects river-related features, including Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park, Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Dodge Riverside Golf Club, Harrah's and Ameristar Casinos, and the Western Historic Trails Center.

 

"Council Bluffs is very quick to say its success is a result of local and regional collaboration, including strong cooperation with its neighbors in Omaha," Lehman said.  "IRR continues to see the common thread of collaboration as a key to success in thriving river communities." "Connecting people to the river is key," Lehman said.  "Council Bluffs demonstrates a commitment to celebrating and protecting the Missouri River for generations to come."

 

Iowa Rivers Revival was founded eight years ago to be a voice for rivers.  IRR is committed to helping Iowans work on education and public policy to restore and protect Iowa's rivers and streams. Read more at:

http://iowarivers.org/council-bluffs-named-river-city-of-the-year/ 

 

From Todd Robertson, IDNR River Programs Outreach Coordinator:

 

"The Iowa DNR 2-day Canoe/Kayak School courses (including a one-day flat-water class) are a great way to improve skills for people who help get others out on the water. You are expected to have some previous experience, but not expertise. The intent is to increase safety, lower stress, have fun, and pay knowledge forward, based on American Canoe Association instructional foundations. Time is divided between some classroom and hands-on experience on a lake environment and then a river.

 

"Participants from past schools rated the training extremely helpful. They were also surprised by how much there was to learn and how intensive this course is. The one-day flat-water class will be held at Gray's Lake in Des Moines. All of the two-day classes will be held along the Boone River at Briggs Woods, in Hamilton County. By popular demand, we have added a second kayak school for this year. Class size is limited, and these classes will fill up fast."

 

Details about course content, accommodations, gear to bring, & registration forms for all classes: 

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/CanoeingKayaking/PaddlerResources/InstructionSafety.aspx 

For any questions, contact Todd Robertson at 515-979-9538 or 515-725-2960 or email: todd.robertson@dnr.iowa.gov

 

May 21; "Flat-Water Essentials" IDNR Canoe School for Naturalists, Scout Leaders, Youth Group Instructors.  Gray's Lake, Des Moines. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles.  One day, canoes & equip provided, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

80% FILLED--May 27-28; IDNR Canoe School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for canoes only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

Jun 9-10; IDNR Kayak School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for kayaks only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

CANCELED--Jun 24-25; IDNR Canoe School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  

80% FILLED--Aug 5-6; IDNR Kayak School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for kayaks only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

Aug 25-26; IDNR Canoe School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for canoes only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

DATE CHANGE--NOW Sep 14-15; IDNR Canoe School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for canoes only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

 

How to Contact Your Legislator

Find updated contact info for your legislators, committee assignments, lists of all representatives or senators, bills in play, lobbyists, and more at  https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find 

 

Key Dates & Special Days for 2015 Session of the 86th Iowa General Assembly

Mar 23 - Apr 3; Debate not limited by rule.

Apr 3; Final date for Senate & House bills to be reported out of their respective committees.

Apr 6 - 10; Senate & House consider only respective bills and unfinished business.

Apr 13; Amendments need not be filed on the day preceding floor debate.

Apr 13; Only limited types of bills are eligible for consideration.

May 1; 110th calendar day of the session [Per diem expenses end].

 

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View of the North Washington Mill Dam which was removed in 2014. The dam's builders and purpose remain a mystery.

 

The North Washington Mill Dam was removed in 2014, leaving a few ripples in the Little Wapsipinicon River, and almost no trace of the dam. The dam was near the community of North Washington, east of Charles City. 

 

Prior to the dam's removal, the Chickasaw County Conservation Board initiated a historical/archaeological survey which could not find any record of the dam, its owners, or its purpose.  Based on design and materials, the 8' high, 54' long dam was likely constructed between 1900 and 1920.
 

Please contact the IWTA if you have any info about the construction or purpose of this "mystery" dam.

 

Iowa Whitewater Coalition listing for North Washington Mill Dam - removed 2014

http://www.iowawhitewater.org/lhd/LHDnowash.html 

Click here to view an aerial map of the former dam.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/43%C2%B007'04.3%22N+92%C2%B024'38.3%22W/@43.117863,-92.41065,3299m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

 

View after removal of the North Washington Mill Dam on the Little Wapsipinicon River.

 

Photos by Dave Hillman/IWC.

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