Central Iowa Canoe Club



Central Iowa Paddlers

Volume 5 Issue 2 May 2001

This newsletter is a publication of the Central Iowa Paddlers, an informal group of paddlesport enthusiasts. The mission of the club is to share information, promote recreation opportunities and paddlesport safety, and encourage care of our aquatic resources. The group includes new and experienced paddlers with canoes and kayaks of all kinds. Pass the word!

MEANDERINGS

The ice disappeared late this year, but there's water out there and it feels good to be paddling again.

We had to cancel the first river stewardship event due to high water. However, paddlers are finding that high water makes for a fun float trip! Early spring trip reports abound. Hope you have gotten out to see the spring wildflowers blooming along Iowa's waterways.

Be safe out there!

Robin Fortney - Editor

UPCOMING PADDLING TRIPS

SKUNK RIVER - MAY 19

You are invited to participate in the Second Annual Central Iowa Paddlers Skunk River Canoe Trail outing, to be held Saturday May 19th. This event will be held rain or shine (excluding severe weather and low water). We will meet at Sleepy Hollow Canoe Access (on Riverside Drive North of Ames) at 10 AM and shuttle to the put-in, likely E18. This trip may be

cancelled or altered if the USGS gauge reads less than 185 cfs.

Contact Rick (rsdietz& or 515-232-1484) or Mark (mmetelman@) for more information.

DES MOINES RIVER - JUNE 16

Gerry Rowland reports that the date for the Runnells Bridge to Boxcars trip has been changed to June 16. Marion County will provide kybos and shuttles, but we still need canoe trailers downstream, so let me know if you can help.

TUESDAYS AT GRAYS LAKE

Meet other paddlers on Grays Lake, on Fleur Driver in Des Moines across from Waterworks Park each Tuesday evening form 6-8 p.m. This weekly event offers a chance to meet other

paddlers, learn some new tricks, and plan a weekend outing.

May 1 was the first night and about five of us showed up. The water and weather were a bit cool, but it was good to get out on the water. The new bridge is nearly done, and Robin suggested that we run the bridge pilings in a slalom race. Four minutes was the best time. See if you can best that!

Afterward, three of us headed downtown to the newly reopened Raccoon River Brew Pub to check out the new menu and beer offerings.

We hope to see you out on Tuesdays at Grays Lake!

Canoeing and kayaking are potentially life-threatening sports. Participants on trips promoted by the club must accept responsibility and liability for their own preparedness and safety.

ARMCHAIR PADDLERS SERIES

We ended the successful first Armchair Paddler Series with a presentation by John Pearson. John shared slides and stories about his recent sea kayak trip to Padre Island on the Texas Gulf Coast.

The Series was a fun and informative way to spend a Sunday afternoon in winter. Some 10 to 15 paddlers joined us each month. We will do it again next winter. Again, thanks to our speakers and to Jeff Holmes and his staff for their hospitality!

Start thinking about possible speakers for next winter. Please share your ideas with Robin at 515-277-1763.

TRIP REPORTS

Please send highlights of your trip to the Newsletter Editor as soon as possible after your event so we can all enjoy hearing about your adventures!

IOWA RIVER - March 31

By John Pearson

"I must be crazy", I muttered as I drove northward through sleet on my way toward the Hardin City Access, the designated starting point of the Iowa River Greenbelt trip in Hardin County on March 31. By admitting this, I was belatedly concurring with my wife's frank assessment of 5:30AM when I climbed out of our warm bed. In response to the dreary forecast of cold, wet, windy weather, I had received a steady stream of email messages the day before from people politely informing me that they would not be coming on my trip after all. Still, I felt duty-bound to make an appearance at the put-in site in case anyone showed up. "Yeah right," I thought to myself as I turned the windshield wipers to a faster clip, "who else would be crazy enough to come out in weather like this?"

Jerry Kemperman was waiting for me at Sylvan Hill when I arrived and stepped out into the mud. As planned, we walked briefly into the Hardin City Woodland State Preserve, shoulders hunched against the cold, blustery wind. We dutifully waited until nearly 9:30 for other paddlers (unsurprisingly, none came) and then decided to do the trip with just the two of us. We dropped my car off at Pine Lake State Park and then returned to the Hardin City Access. This is an odd, but handy little access that branches off of a driveway leading to a farmstead. Due to the muddy condition of the access, we carried our kayaks from the high shoulder of the main road about 100 feet to the riverbank and made a few additional trips back and forth for loads of gear. At the last minute, I opted to leave my second set of breakdown paddles in the car. (Mistake, more on this later).

Between Iowa Falls and Eldora, the Iowa River runs through an entrenched, meandering valley covered mostly with forest, punctuated occasionally by open farm ground - very scenic. The river was high and swift as we pushed away from shore at 10:30 under leaden skies. At least the rain had stopped. Although we could hear the wind roaring through the treetops on the bluffs above, it didn't bother us at river level. In fact, the weather steadily improved as the morning progressed. By noon, the sun had broken through, blue skies ensued, and the air temperature was approaching 50 degrees.

In addition to improving weather, our decision to proceed with the trip was rewarded with wildlife sightings. Within the first mile, we spied deer, a pair of redtail hawks (one of whom flew from a nest of sticks high in a riverside cottonwood), and a bald eagle. We also saw the first of what turned out to be numerous pairs of indignantly honking Canada Geese, seemingly at every river reach. Deer, too, were seen throughout the trip, sometimes singly, sometimes in pairs, and once in a group of six. One nervously plunged into the river as Jerry and I paddled around the opposite sides of a small island. Others: bluebirds, turkey vultures, and ducks (including mallards, wood ducks, bluewing teal, buffleheads, and goldeneyes).

Grey concrete pillars rising above the bottomland forest served as a somber reminder of impending human intrusion through the Iowa River Greenbelt when we floated past the construction zone for new Highway 20. Although our Saturday trip was blessedly quiet except for the welcome roar of wind through the trees, we speculated that this was probably one of the last times this trip will be enjoyed without the unwelcome roar of four lanes of 65 MPH traffic across the finished bridge. In fairness, it should be acknowledged that this crossing of the river valley is far less destructive of natural scenery than the original plan that would have sent it on a straight-line course through a wider segment of the Greenbelt, the one favored by many local farmers because it spared more farmland and used more of the "wasteland" of bluffs and trees. DOT also designed the present crossing as a "high" bridge that will not require trucks to noisily accelerate or decelerate as they cross the valley, thus minimizing at least some of the most offensive highway sounds.

At noon, we arrived at the lowhead dam by the small town of Steamboat Rock. Pine Ridge Recreation Area is located on the right descending bank just above the millpond. On March 31, high water flowing over the dam formed an 8-foot waterfall with a malevolent "whirlpool" at its base. Jerry and I put ashore on the right-hand bank to check out the route for a portage. Jerry, the more adept boatman, climbed ashore without difficulty. I, however, chose an awkward landing spot in deep water with the bank slightly higher than the deck of my kayak. Although bracing with my paddle, I overcom-pensated to a slip as I wriggled out of the cockpit. As if on command, the kayak rolled riverward and served me with an involuntary wet exit. I suddenly found myself standing waist-deep in cold water that was flowing toward the waterfall and whirlpool.

I promptly scrambled up the bank and pulled my kayak ashore. My wool, polyester, and nylon clothing kept me from chilling, but I was glad for the complete change of clothes in my drybag. After changing clothes and draining my vessel, I realized that my paddle was missing. After a few frantic moments, I spotted it...IN THE RIVER...snagged on an overhanging tree... only a few yards from the lip of the dam! I managed to retrieve it without difficulty, but the thought of having come so close to being "up the creek without a paddle" was unnerving. I now regretted having left my spare paddle in the car at the trailhead. (Lesson: Don't let this happen to you. It's not sufficient to merely own a spare paddle. You must carry it on the boat for it to be useful when needed!)

The portage around the Steamboat Rock dam is less than ideal. We dragged our boats several hundred feet along the entrance road for the recreation area on the right (west) bank, carried them across a paved road (Highway D35), and slid them down a steep embankment next to the bridge. You can't officially use the left (east) bank because the land between the dam and the bridge on that side is private property. Our only other alternative could have been to carry the boats from the west bank across the bridge to the east bank and launched at a ramp in a small county park. (We didn't see this until we pushed off from shore to continue our float. Portage wheels would come in handy here if you had them.)

In contrast to the upstream countryside, the landscape below Steamboat Rock includes picturesque sandstone cliffs. The story goes that the town of Steamboat Rock originally got its name from a sandstone pinnacle on the riverbank that resembled a steamboat in shape, but which has since eroded away. On our trip, the stream's ability to erode the soft sandstone was clearly demonstrated by carved graffiti at the high water mark that included the date "1996", the lower half of which had been scoured away. Over an inch of rock had obviously been removed from the face of the cliff by the river in the last 5 years.

Freed from the millpond, the river once again became swift and bore us quickly downstream past a succession of public areas: Tower Rock County Park, Fallen Rock State Preserve, the Sandstone Palisades, Wildcat Cave, and Pine Lake State Park. Scattered white pines joined the oak forests on rocky points along the bluffs. Moss-covered talus slopes were an eye-catching green in contrast to the dark trees, white snow banks, gray cliffs, and brown forest floor. A set of small rapids enlivened the passage about a mile downstream of Steamboat Rock.

We came to our takeout point at Pine Lake State Park shortly after 2:30 PM, making for a 14-mile run in about 4 hours. Subtracting an hour for our portage (with clothes-changing delay) and lunch stop meant that our rate of travel on the river was nearly 5 MPH without hard paddling. Jerry and I concurred that this had been a great trip. I would like to return again and do the section above Hardin City Access, maybe a longer run (19 miles) from Eagle City Access to Pine Lake State Park.

But next time I will bring my spare paddle with me.

DES MOINES RIVER - Mid-March

By Karl DeLong

There is an abundance of waterfowl and eagles at "Boxcar" or the Red Rock Refuge where the Des Moines River meets the lake. On Monday there were over 100,000 ducks and geese, I would guess, and well over 100 eagles in the dead trees, and on the ground or ice, eating fish. The ice was just east of the delta. Tuesday was about the same, with the addition of a few dozen pelicans. Thursday I took my solo canoe and paddled for three hours. The ice had moved a mile or more east so that the birds were very dispersed, but I would estimate over 10,000 pintails, many canvasback, gadwall, a few green-wing teal and shovelors, goldeneye, bufflehead and ruddy ducks. The current in the channels was close to top paddling speed and ice was scattered in the current. I felt like I was in the Yukon. It was good to get on the water.

LAKE RED ROCK - April 28

By Robin Fortney

John Pearson led an armada of five kayakers along the south shore of Red Rock Reservoir from the South Overlook (by the south end of the dam, south of Pella) to a takeout just west of the mile long bridge (Highway 14 south of Monroe). Just as John promised, the highlights of the trip were the scenic sandstone cliffs and a wildflower hike along the bluffs at Elk Rock State Park.

The distance between the two points is about 8 miles. It was a fine, but breezy day, and we had a tail wind most of the way (John had considered a return trip, but thought better of it). Wind is not so much a problem when you have a rudder, but my Dagger Vesper doesn't have one, so I fought the constant pushing of the wind. John limited the trip to kayaks and covered canoes, which was wise. Bob J had his new sea kayak, and Brian was paddling a beautiful fiberglass kayak that he is seeking to sell as he upgrades. The journey was tiring for me as this much paddling was work this early in the season, but it felt good to be out on the water.

Most of the time we traversed along the vertical cliffs, protected from the buffeting breeze. I decided that if I were a flower, I'd want to be a wild columbine growing on a cliff edge. We lunched on the red rock bluffs and were entertained with Brian's stories about his pet black bear.

It was a beautiful trip, one we will do again, perhaps on a summer evening after work.

SCENIC WATER IN ILLINOIS

By Sue Hotovec

 

Kickapoo State Park in eastern Illinois is home to a stretch of the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, a federal and state designated scenic waterway.  At about 6.5 hours of driving, it's an easy trip form Des Moines for a long weekend and well worth the trip.

 

The park itself is wonderfully set up for base camping and the area offers a veritable plethora of paddling and recreational choices.  The park is set up on land that was once strip-mined for coal.  The land has been mostly reclaimed by nature (with help from the DNR) over the last 60 years and now the area is very scenic although vestiges of the mining remain, testifying to some of the history of the area.

 

Kickapoo SP covers more than 2,800 acres, including 22 lakes and ponds within the park boundaries...some as small as a quarter acre, others of up to 57 acres. The park is also unique in that it is one of the few parks in the state that allows scuba diving in some of its clear, deepwater lakes.

 

The campground in late March was practically deserted.  My friend and I set up camp in the lower campground's walk-in area on a scenic bluff overlooking one of the larger lakes in the park. We even had our own (loooong) stairway down the bluff to a small fishing dock. For most of our 4-day stay, the only other campers were in an RV at the far end of the upper campground.

 

The park has something for just about everyone: trails for mountain biking, hiking, running, and horse riding; lakes to paddle, fish and dive; the river; camping from primitive to housekeeping cabins; and all the flora and fauna a body could want.

 

I paddled several of the lakes within the park.  They were mostly a maze of narrow, parallel ridges dividing narrow finger-shaped watery passages.  Though some of the lakes are small, they have an amazing amount of "shoreline" to explore. Almost every point or island had a pair of Canadian geese staking out their territory.

 

After exploring some of the park's lakes under balmy, sunny skies, I had planned to check out the Vermilion's Middle Fork on our final day. But when the day dawned with temperatures well below freezing and a savage wind, I decided it wasn't a good day to be out on a river alone.  However, the views of the river that we got from hiking some of the trails were enough to convince me I HAVE to go back and paddle that river someday.

 

For more information on Kickapoo State Park, check out their web site at

PADDLING OUT EAST

By Dave Biser

We got an early start this year with small-creek-hopping. Meg, Joey, and I (Robin's brother-in-law and niece & nephew who got their own kayaks last Christmas) went down the Little Antietam Creek well above Brooklane Hospital near Leitersburg, and floated back to join the Antietam Creek and on home - took about 2-1/2 hours with the kids in their new kayaks and me in a canoe. This is actually a very small creek, so it was a lot of work for me to spin that boat around the tight turns. I had a difficult time keeping up with the kids 'cause the kayaks are so fast!  

We also went down the East Branch of the Antietam Creek to home - that took 5 hours - it's another really small creek.  On another trip, Joey and I took two neighbor boys on a day trip on the Conococheague Creek from near Chambersburg to Cearfoss, PA - about 21 miles in about 7 hours.  It's a really pretty section.

Tomorrow morning we are doing a very modest cleanup effort from PA to home with maybe 4 or 5 scouts/parents as part of National River Cleanup week. I didn't have time to plan a real big effort this year, but decided I would do it by myself if no one else was available.

CANOEING THE VOLGA RIVER

By Leslie Boyce

Bill and I left Newton on Friday, April 27, to meet several members of the Central Iowa Paddlers at Volga State Park. We made plans to meet Saturday morning at 10 a.m. for our first day of paddling.

After arranging the shuttle, we put our canoes and kayaks in at Klock's Island. Eight men and three women made up our group, with three canoes and 5 kayaks.

We dressed in warm clothes upon setting out as the temperature was about 60 degrees and rain seemed imminent, but skies soon cleared, making for pleasant conditions. This was definitely the most challenging paddling that Bill and I have ever done on an Iowa river as the area had not received much rain and the water was low. There were frequent rapids to maneuver, as well as many trees down. However, the area was beautiful and the water crystal clear. We could see to the bottom, which was covered with rocks of many colors. Cold spring water fed into the river from the limestone bluffs. Forests surrounded the river and few farms were visible as we paddled along. Limestone bluffs flanking the river were breathtaking in their beauty. We stopped at Langeman's Ford for a break on a sand bar, then a little downriver we found another excellent sandbar for a relaxing lunch break.

We saw much wildlife: beaver, and owl flying across the river, blue heron, and fox emerging from her den along the bluffs.

There were no mishaps, except for one kayaker who tipped over on a snag, but quickly righted himself. The water was very cold, but by early afternoon the sun had warmed up the air to the 70's.

We took our vessels out at the Volga River recreational access at about 4:00 p.m. after a none-mile paddle trip. After supper that night, many of us enjoyed visiting around Lynn and Doug's campfire. Those who camped out that night reported hearing coyotes howling and turkeys gobbling.

We met a little earlier the next day, putting in at the Grannis access. On Sunday, the terrain opened up and more farmland was visible and not as many cliffs. The bottom of the river was not as rocky, and we saw evidence of where the river had been much higher, including several sweeper trees. There was more water depth due to contributing streams that flow into the Volga. We canoed approximately seven miles, passing farms and the little town of Wadena, where a picturesque brick church was visible from the river. On the second day, we spotted a white egret and pileated woodpecker carving rectangular shapes in a tree. By early afternoon, we were off the river to allow for the long drive home.

We thoroughly enjoyed the companionship of other Central Iowa Paddlers. This was one of our more enjoyable canoeing experiences ever.

Rick Dietz was a terrific trip leader, having everything well organized, and giving Bill and me such good directions that we were easily able to find the campground and other spots at which to meet!

TURKEY RIVER - May 12-13

By Robin Fortney

Last weekend provided a perfect spring paddling trip. Greg and Rick organized another wonderful event, and the weather even cooperated. There were four of us. Bob arrived first on Friday evening at the Motor Mill County Park near Elkader. As he was setting up, I arrived, and then Rick and Greg came with some evening light to spare for putting up tents. The sky was clear and the evening turned cool, so a fire felt very good. The morning dawned clear and sunny, and our trip leaders suggested that maybe breakfast in town would be fun. So we scoped out Elkader, and wound up at Johnson's Restaurant on the north end of town - good food in case you ever travel that way.

Two turkeys ran across the road as we neared the access, a good omen. We put in above Elkader and had a good time watching for wildflowers and wildlife. The river was high, maybe 4 to 5 times normal flow, so obstructions, riffles and snags weren't a problem.

As we floated into Elkader, we found muddied steps at the takeout above the dam. We were dreading the "portage from hell," a five block walk down the main street, when a local guy (fireman Scott Bahl) offered to haul our boats down to the city park. Wow, what a guy - "just don't look in the garbage can in the back of the truck. There's turkey guts in there from the bird I shot this morning."

Feeling very pleased with ourselves, we decided to buy lunch in town, too. Starting at Al's Stake & Stein where the boys put back a couple of beers, we moved on to the Subway store for sandwiches and ate lunch along the quay. Then we piddled away an hour touring Elkader. First, we bought a gift certificate for Scott at Al's. Then we looked for a new camera battery for Robin and toured the opera house, mailed the certificate to Scott, and checked out other pubs. We found Elkader to be tops in many ways: it has the longest keystone bridge west of the Mississippi, oldest family-owned grocery store in Iowa, tallest mill, and very friendly people. We eventually returned to the river for a fast float back to camp.

The Motor Mill area is gorgeous. We took a walk in the woods and found a huge variety of wildflowers. The showy orchis is rare in Iowa, but we found it growing all over the place. Columbine was at its peak, and we saw hoary puccoon, pussy toes, May apple, jack-in the pulpit, rue anemone, and many other spring flowers.

We spent Saturday evening around the fire, and were briefly stirred up when a couple of teen-age girls made a racket setting up camp with a barky little dog and roaring around on their ATV. They eventually disappeared and we went to bed to the sounds of barred and great horned owls.

Sunday morning, we put in at the Motor Mill access at the campsite and paddled past stunning bluffs covered in wildflowers. We saw a bald eagle high in a tree and then turned our heads to watch it soar to its nest on the other side of the river. We mentioned that it was strange to see very little sign of beaver. And then, as if in retort, three large beavers leaped off a high bank, just missing Greg and Rick's canoe. We were paddling hard as we neared the mouth of the Volga River near Garber because a head wind had picked up in the open valley. Then, as we turned the last bend, I was startled to see a big beaver jumping into the water. I looked up to see momma beaver and her two babies staring at me. The trip ended with considerable time spent washing mud off boats and feet. What a great weekend!

CAMP STOVE COOKOFF

By Robin Fortney

It was an idea conceived during the long winter. What if we dust off our camp stoves early in the season and cook up something good to share with paddling friends? I was particularly interested in dishes cooked on the famously popular Swedish Trangia stoves. Prizes were offered for the best all-around dish, and the best made on a Trangia stove.

Seven chefs showed up, with six different stoves (Gerri hoped for an operating barbecue grill, but had to substitute a microwave oven instead - no prizes were awarded, but her dish was very tasty).

Nearly every chef started out by saying, "Ooh, I should have washed these pans when I came home from the last camping trip." Luckily, water and soap were available.

After the food was eaten and ballots counted, Carolyn won the Best-in-Show award for a dish that included artichokes and pine nuts, and Phyllis won the Trangia award as the only (but very tasty) entry in that class. Bill suggested that additional honors be offered, one for the lightest ingredient list and one for the most creative, both of which he took in a sweep.

It was great fun and we'll do this again next year!

FROM OUR READERS

From Gerry Rowland: I put up photos and some video clips from the Canoe Expo for the

enjoyment of all you armchair paddlers. It's at .

How about a winter paddle from Sycamore Access to Saylorville (and return) on March 10th for everybody that has waterproof boots!!?? It's about an hour up and a half hour back if one goes non-stop. Join me at the Sycamore Access on NW 66th St. at 11 AM, weather permitting.

Editor's comment: Gerry: I heard some paddlers were stopped by the ice floes you encountered on this trip and others just hopped on the ice for a ride. Any truth to the allegations?

Also from Gerry Rowland: Paddler Newsletter is online at

Thanks Robin for all that hard work.

I got some great wildlife photos at Red Rock dam this week, see

for pelicans, deer, and eagles.

From Jay Garroutte: I saw the information regarding Central Iowa Paddlers on the internet, and thought I would write to ask for more information. I live in West Des Moines, and would be interested in any and all upcoming paddling activities or meetings. I have been canoeing for many years (although not much at all since moving to Iowa in 1996) and have just recently ordered a sit-on-top kayak that should be here sometime this week--just in time for the newest snowstorm. I was pleasantly surprised to see a group such as yours in Des Moines, and look forward to hearing from you.

From Bonita Bower: Here are some paddling opportunities in eastern Iowa and Illinois:

 

*Mississippi backwater paddling sponsored by the Clinton County Conservation Board out of the Rock Creek Marina on May 10, 6:00 P.M.  For more information call 319-847-7202.

 

*Cedar River Float is from Austin, MN to Cedar Falls, IA (100 miles from June 9 - June 13).  Check the website: 



 

*Louisa & Muscatine County Conservation Boards are sponsoring a trip on the last 10 miles of the Cedar River leaving from McKeown Bridge at 9:00 a.m. to Fredonia by 4:00 p.m. on June 16.  (I think we could leave from Saulsbury Bridge or Max's cabin to make it a real trip.)  Call 319-847-7202 after May 1.

 

*The Illinois River Rumble: July 28 - August 4 (Starved Rock to Beardstown, IL)  See the website:

From Garret Knapp: The Canoe web page is now accessible at or so tell your friends!  These two names send you to . The page will grow with information as people enter journals and info for familiar routes.  If you can add some of your own, explain where you put in, where you take out, how long it takes, and what you do and see along the way.  Go to the information screen for one of the routes. The add journal is at the bottom.

From Sue Hotovec: I just paddled Red Rock last weekend. It was phenomenal!  We did the north shore just west of the bridge.  We were camped at Roberts Creek West and also paddled Roberts Creek Lake.  The hiking at Elk Rock was great too.  It's a lovely area.

Also from Sue Hotovac: The Central Iowa Group of the Sierra Club will be paddling the marshy area at the north end of Big Creek on Sunday, May 20.

I called the Big Creek boat concession today and found out that they are open and renting boats so if you'd like to join the paddle but don't have a

boat, you now have an alternative!

They have single and double sit-on-top kayaks for $8 and $13 per hour, respectively, as well as canoes for $7 per hour.

The outing will be commencing from the northern-most boat ramp on the west side of the lake so if you rent from the marina you'd need to either haul the boat to the starting point or paddle across the lake to join us.

Pass the word on to any one you think might be interested. Call me at 279-6923 to RSVP (so I can let you know of any change of plans).

Hope to see you there!

From Bob Modersohn, Des Moines Register: The Iowa DNR apparently received requests of copies of the "Iowa Canoe Guide," which I plugged in a new kayak and paddle sport story I put together for The Register a couple weeks ago. Well, they aren't printing them anymore. I didn't plug the guide so much because it was well done. It can't hold a candle to the new "Paddling Southern Wisconsin" book by Mike Svob, or the classic "A Thousand Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe," by John MacGregor, both of

which I mentioned as good reads. The Iowa Canoe Guide is a very basic service pamphlet that shows folks simply where to paddle on Iowa's rivers. When Iowa is trying to keep people living in this state, this doesn't help matters. I can't figure why the DNR would let this go. I know they have their own budget

problems. But how much can it cost them to produce a few hundred of these pamphlets?

A message was forwarded to me via Julie Probasco of the Register staff from a DNR person saying the DNR's budget would not permit reprinting any more of the guides at this time. The man sending the message, whom I presume is involved with recreation for the State, did not appear to have read my story. I realize the information in the guide is available on a Web site, but not everybody has computers and Internet service. I wrote a couple short notes to two DNR folks and they stand firm. No money for printing the guide. I asked if the guide was copywrited and they said no. That means anybody can copy and or print and even sell the information.

Do you have any ideas? Am I overreacting? I say, forget about adding any grand new state recreation projects. Take advantage of what's already here. I think that printed versions of this basic service publication should remain a priority and continue to be available to all Iowans and visitors.

Editor's comment: What do the rest of you think about this state of affairs?

Also from Gerry Rowland: I put some fresh photos (and a movie) of unusual scenes caused by recent high water on the Des Moines at .

WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Mark your calendar now to attend water quality monitoring training on June 21-22. Join other paddlers to help monitor the beautiful Middle Raccoon River. For more information, call Dallas County Conservation Board at 515-465-3577.

REMEMBER TO SEND IN YOUR 2001 SUBSCRIPTION FEE OF $10 IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO!

CENTRAL IOWA PADDLERS - 2001 EVENT CALENDAR

Participants should contact the trip coordinator ahead of time for trip details and in case river conditions or plans change. Take rain gear, extra clothes in a dry bag, plenty of water and snacks, hat, sunscreen, PFD, and extra paddle. Trip Coordinators should provide the following information to trip participants: stream section or lake, date(s), meeting time and place, expected float time, and level of difficulty.

Tuesday, May 1, Grays Lake in Des Moines

From May 1 through October 10, we will meet on Tuesday evenings on Grays Lake in Des Moines from 6 to 8 o'clock. Grays Lake is located on Fleur Drive across from Waterworks Park in Des Moines. Bring your canoe or kayak. Watch the bridge and new boathouse being built. Make new paddling friends, try out a new boat or learn some new paddling skills. We put in down by the swimming beach.

Thursday Evenings on Lake Ahquabi

Paddle with employees of Canoesport Outfitters who will be out testing canoes and kayaks. Paddling clinics will be added as the season progresses. Call 515-961-6117 for more information.

May through November, Raccoon River System

Due to their popularity, Dallas County Conservation Board will host an "-ology" trip each month. Special speakers will tell about local geology, archaeology, etc. Call DCCB at 515-465-3577 to sign up as these trips fill up fast.

Friday through Sunday, May 18-20, Upper Iowa River

Contact Mike Smith at 515-246-9870 for more information.

Saturday, May 19, Skunk River

Paddle Story County's Skunk River Canoe Trail from Highway E18 to Riverside Road, north of Ames. For more information, contact Mark at Mmetelman@ or 515-221-2587, or Rick at rsdietz@ or 232-1484.

Friday through Sunday, June 8-10, Upper Iowa River

We'll join our Sierra Club friends for another opportunity to float this gorgeous river. Meet at Randy's Bluffton Store campground on Friday evening. Contact Robin at 515-277-1763 for more information.

Saturday, June 2, Des Moines River

Float the Des Moines River from Runnels Bridge access to the Boxcars through the wetlands and high bluffs near Lake Red Rock. For more information, contact Gerry Rowland at gerryr@ or 515-277-3092.

June 4 through June 9, Raccoon River System

This week-long float trip will travel the entire lengths of the Middle and North Raccoon Rivers as they pass through Dallas County. Contact Dallas County Conservation Board at 515-465-3577 for more information about this and other special float trips scheduled this season. The July trip will feature archaeologist Dr. Joseph Tiffany of Iowa State and the August trip will feature Dr. Ed McKay, a geologist with the University of Iowa. The September trip will offer a workshop for educators and group leaders directed by the American Canoe Association. In October, the DCCB will offer a scenic history float.

Friday and Saturday, June 21-22, Water Quality Training

Join the cadre of Iowa water quality monitoring volunteers. This training session will be held at a Dallas County location on Friday evening and all day on Saturday. You will learn some simple water quality test methods, and then you can practice your skills on your favorite Dallas County streams. Contact Dallas County Conservation Board at 515-465-3577 for details.

Thursday, July 4th, North Raccoon River

Join us for a potluck picnic lunch on a float trip on the North Raccoon River from Minburn to Adel. Contact Robin at 515-277-1763 for more information.

Saturday, July 7, Des Moines River

Humboldt County will host a full-service float on July 7, from Rutland to Humboldt on the West Fork, Des Moines River. For more information, contact Doug Wood at dougwood@ or 515-332-4809.

Saturday-Sunday, July 14-15, Canoe Van Buren

Canoe the Des Moines River from Selma to Farmington. For more information, contact Stacy Glandon at Villages of Van Buren at villages@800- which is also the phone number.

Friday-Sunday, July 20-22, Iowa Games

We expect the Canoe & Kayak Competitions will be held on Saturday. For more information, contact or info@, or 515-292-3251 or 1-800-964-0332.

Week of July 28, River Rumble

This week long paddling event will be held on the Illinois River in 2001. Greg Vitale promises shorter days! Contact Greg at 641-663-9251 or vitol@ for more information.

Saturday, August 11, River Ripple

The River Ripple float trip is held in conjunction with Swiftwater Days. This is a 16-mile float from Eddyville to Ottumwa. Lots of volunteers, very well planned and managed, and this is the 3rd year. More than 300 participated last year. For more information, contact Kurt Baker at Wapello County Conservation, 641-682-3091, ext 1.

Sunday, October 7, Des Moines River

Join Robin for her third annual birthday float trip. We will start at the Sycamore access at 1 p.m. in Johnston and float down to Birdland Marina. Bring a snack - we will stop on a sandbar for lunch and birthday treats. Contact Robin at 515-277-1763 for more information.

Canoeing and kayaking are potentially life-threatening sports. Participants on trips promoted by the club must accept responsibility and liability for their own preparedness and safety.

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