Des Moines River Water Trail Task Force

The Des Moines River Water Trail task force was launched in September 1999, and met again in October,  November, and December.  Meetings were also held in January, February, and March of 2000.   The group met in October 2000 at the State Historical Building and is continuing to work toward funding trail signs and developing a brochure and map.   The group began working on the Des Moines River Water Trail after the 17 counties along the river signed the resolution of endorsement.    Read more about the work of the Greenbelt commission and the river trail task force.  Also read about the Dragoon Trail, a major project of the Greenbelt commission.  Editions of the Des Moines River Water Trail News are now online. 

This news report from 2000 makes me sad that we  lost our momentum.  It is good to have the DNR water trail task force meeting in 2005.

The task force met on Jan. 21, 2000 at Lake Red Rock.  There were about 100 eagles near the dam.  We managed to get some work done, though.  The meeting on Feb. 25 was at Camp Sacajawea in Boone County.  The river was covered with thick ice at Fraser dam.   The  March 31 at Des Moines Water Works was very informative, especially the progress made with the GIS mapping. . . .The Water Trail Task Force met at the Hotel Manning in Keosauqua on Thursday, April 27, 2000  at 10 AM.  We had a good meeting, and we appreciated having representatives from Van Buren County with us.

Our April 2001 meeting was very hopeful.  We met at the Des Moines Botanical Center.  The DNR is going for funding to hold public meetings to get input on trail facilities, and then will work with counties to secure funding for facilities, signs, and brochures.

Representatives from all counties on the river have attended at least one meeting (except Emmet, Warren, and Monroe).  We welcome representatives from all counties.

We miss our 2 strong leaders who have left this world to carry on their work in the next.  Jim Mills gave many good years to the project with the ACE.  Dick LeCroy was a friend and mentor who brought together those who cared about the river.  We miss you both very much, and we will strive to finish the work you began.

Saga of the Des Moines River Greenbelt, by Harriet Heusinkveld.   (See your local library for the entire book)

Foreword

Chapter 1, The Des Moines River

Chapter 2, Geological Development of Greenbelt Land and Streams

Chapter 3, Prehistoric Peoples in Iowa

Chapter 4, Indian Lands Usurped by the Whites

Chapter 5, The Pioneers, 1843-mid 1850's

Chapter 6, The Formative Years: Agriculture, Market Towns, Transportation, Larger Cities, 1855-1865

 

 

 

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