Lowland dams and high limestone bluffs dot the route of the Des Moines River as it flows across Iowa. For a canoeist, ignoring the dams could be hazardous; ignoring the beauty of the bluffs would be a downright shame.

That's why Gerry Rowland, 51, Des Moines, has been hard at work the past year seeking designation of the river as the Des Moines River Canoe and Kayak Trail.

Rowland, a library consultant for the state of Iowa, developed a passion for the 404-mile long river while paddling it from border to border in 1998 through all four seasons.

That passion has led him to campaign for sinage, better access and portage routes along the riverm which begins with the west fork near Estherville and continues to Keokuk.

Rowland maintains this stretch of water represents the longest float trip available on an Iowa river in the state.

he wants people on land or water to be able to use the signs to find access points and portage roads. he also wants paddlers to know when they are approaching a lowhead dam or some other dangerous obstruction requiring a portage.

Once officially designated a water trail by the counties and participating organizations, the Des Moines River will be one of three such trails in the state. There is also the Trumpeter Trail near Rutland, which covers lakes and wetlands; and the Inkpaduta Canoe Trail on the Little Sioux River.

The 133-mile Inkpaduta trailstarts near Spencer in Clay County and runs through Cherokee County, ending near Smithland in Woodburry County. There are 26 designated stops along the way with signs indicating the distanc to the next point.

Since spring, Rowland has been working to get river trail endorsements from the conservation boards of the 14 counties through which the river runs, plus such entities as the Army Corps of Engineers. So far, a steady stream of conservation boards has signed on, along with other conservation organizations.

Rowland envisions the county conservation boards taking the project inhand and coming to a consensus on sign appearance. He just isn't sure exactly when all these plans will result in signs actually being raised, but until then, he'll keep paddling the river and pushing for the trail.

He suggests several streches for people wanting to get a taste of what he's been experiencing as a kayaker.

From Des Moines, a float from the Sycamore Access off Northwest 66th Street to the Birdland access is a good one to take.

Even though this stretch is close to a major metropolitan area, there are 4 or 5 miles where a paddler will see nothing but nature abd more herons than people.

For a historic float, put in at Keosauqua in southeast Iowa and paddle 6 miles to the old village of Bentonsport. The towns along this stretch were built in the 184s, and Bentonsport shows off homes built in the old steamboat Gothic style. Paddlers will also pass by the high limestone blubbs of Shimek State Forest.

A heartier two-dqy trip takes paddlesrs along the most remote part of the river. That's from Yellow Banks Park in southern Polk Couny to Lake Red Rock. This 43-mile stretch is best done over a two-day trip and promises egrets and herons and scenery ranging from wetlands to red bluffs. There are also numerous places to camp along the way.

These longer floats are Rowland's favorite. he traveled 15-20 miles a day as he floated the entire 404-mile stretch of the river in 1998 during all four seasons. He's working on that feat again this year in one and two-day floats.

That's a lot of time on moving water for a man who used to be wary of boating on rivers. "I really hadn't paid much attention to the Des Moines River until the flood of 1993," he said.

But it wasn't until 1996 that he slid his craft into the Des Moines ?river in his first experience with river kayaking. He soon developed a strong connection to the water. "Being on the river is very different," he said. "It's so peaceful."