Iowans know that some of the best recreational opportunities take place
outdoors. Interest continues to grow in canoeing and kayaking Iowa’s rivers,
lakes and streams. Because of this growing interest, the Iowa  DNR has
developed a publication called the Iowa  Canoe  Guide. This guide provides
descriptions and maps of Iowa’s navigable rivers and useable accesses. Copies
of the guide can be obtained by calling 515-281-5918.
 

To accommodate the growth in canoeing and kayaking as recreational activities,
the  DNR has prepared a canoe program proposal. The Department seeks public
comments pertaining to this proposal. Contents of the canoe program proposal
are listed below. Please send your comments to the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources, Attn: Michelle Wilson, Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines,
Iowa 50319, or by e-mail at mwilson@max.state.ia.us.

Rivers. Streams and Trails Coordinator

Responsible for:

Iowa’s Protected Water Areas Program - Will oversee the continued enhancement
of the PWA program by creating protected buffer areas around existing PWAs as
well as increasing the number of protected waters.

Iowa Adopt-A-Stream Program - Each year, people or groups that are interested
in the program fill out an enrollment form for the Adopt-A-Stream program.
These forms tell us what stretch of river the volunteers are adopting. Upon
completion of their projects, the groups send in a project completion form. A
Certificate of Appreciation, signed by the Director of the DNR, is then given
to the them. DNR will continue to coordinate the development of this program
with IOWATER and other Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs.

Iowa Rivers Month - Promote Iowa’s rivers through the organization of the
Governor’s Invitational Canoe Trip, Poster, and Adopt-A-Stream projects. The
canoe trip entails visits to the site to set up canoe accommodations and
catering, and to address any safety concerns. Posters are developed and mailed
out to all County Conservation Boards, canoeists, Adopt-A-Stream participants
and DNR offices. Adopt-A-Stream groups will work on river cleanup and other
projects to get the river ready to showcase.

DNR Trail Program -- Develop trails to, through, and within state recreation
lands

American Heritage Rivers Program (Mississippi River  in  Iowa)/Millennium
Trail - The Mississippi River is one of 14 national American Heritage Rivers.
In addition, it has recently been designated as one of 16 nationally designated
“Millennium Trail” routes. Both programs are designed to bring long overdue
focus and attention on the tremendous values and potentials that the
Mississippi River Valley possesses. Neither designation provides significant
funding. However, both designations reflect the priority and the urgency for
implementing resource protection and public use opportunities. Active staff
participation by the IDNR is a significant key to implementing coordinated
projects and programs.

Back To The River (Enhancement of the Missouri River Corridor) - Work with
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to further identify and protect existing
natural areas along the Missouri River, and those areas where restoration and
habitat mitigation projects are most feasible. Sit on the Technical Advisory
Board of Directors for the non-profit organization that is working to enhance
designated river corridor segments.

Statewide Trails Planning and other IDOTCoordination (TEA21. DOT Grants) - Work
with DOT to help oversee both state and National Recreational Trails programs.
DOT administers state trails grants, while the IDNR participates on advisory
and project evaluation committees made up of trail users, other involved state
agencies, and DOT personnel. The State Recreation Trails Plan is currently
being revised. The Advisory Committee plays a major role in this update,
including consideration of waterway (canoe) trails. While grant projects for
canoe trails and access sites have not been a prominent feature, it is apparent
that this form of trail use is on the increase. Inclusion of a waterway trails
element in the statewide trails plan is an important means of accommodating and
providing for this growing activity.

Other trail and river-related duties and programs:

Canoe Safety Programs/Manual

Develop a safety manual for canoeing and kayaking. County Conservation Boards
and City Park and Recreation Programs would use this manual for their summer
and fall programming.

Canoeing and Wellness Programs

Develop a program outline that could be utilized by companies that have
wellness programs. Work with the coordinators of these programs to help connect
them with canoe outfitters, County Conservation Boards and City Park and
Recreation departments that teach canoe safety, or with groups that coordinate
canoe trips (i.e., Central Iowa Paddlers).
 

Universal Canoe Access Signage

Work with County Conservation Boards, cities and Federal agencies to produce a
Universal Access Sign for all canoe access points addressed in the DNR Canoe
Guide. These universal signs would be made available through IDNR. Develop
river trail signage. Incorporate signage in other applications such as license
covers, window cling-ons, and other informational promotion pieces.

River Trails

Work with counties and canoe enthusiasts to develop and maintain river trails.
Upgrade existing river access points or construct new ones. Develop
appropriately spaced, primitive campsites to accommodate canoeists. These areas
would allow for overnight facilities for an extended canoeing trip. Volunteer
groups and individuals who utilize these areas will help the Department
promote, patrol, inspect, and maintain the access points and signs along the
river trail.

Canoeing Promotion

Each year we will spotlight one river in Iowa. This highlighted river will
correspond with the river that will be used on the Governor’s Invitational
Canoe Trip. Adopt-A-Stream groups will be set up on each river and work on
projects such as streambank stabilization, clean up, and water quality
monitoring. This river will also be the focus of the Celebrate Iowa Rivers
Month poster, and the news releases, and article In the Conservationist,
corresponding to that celebration.

DNR Web Page

Develop a page on the Parks Recreation and Preserves Division web site
specifically for canoeing in Iowa. Canoe guide pages would be able to be
downloaded off of this site as well as river information, and canoe outfitters.