DNR Wants Your Ideas for Water Trails and Low-head Dam Safety
 
An 18-month planning process is underway for water trails and low-head dam safety in Iowa. A series of listening sessions are scheduled around the state in coming months. That input will influence Iowa Department of Natural Resources' priorities and plans in coming years.
 
"Water trails have become a key new way for Iowans to connect with their rivers and lakes," said Nate Hoogeveen, river programs coordinator for the Iowa DNR. "Canoeists and kayakers are using water trails to learn about wildlife they can watch, plan adventures, locate water-access campsites, and learn about the character of streams before they go out."
 
At the same time, the number of dam-related deaths spiked to six in 2006, some of those on water trails actively being developed.
 
"It's important that dams are part of the conversation, as most Iowans are not familiar with the dangers of these structures," said Hoogeveen. "Outreach, education, and physically changing the way these dams are constructed needs to be part of the overall plan as we go forward."
 
Iowa State University's College of Design was awarded a $110,000 contract by the Iowa DNR in October to lead development of the plan. 
 
"We very much want to hear from Iowans on what experiences they want from their rivers and lakes," said Mimi Wagner, a professor in ISU's Department of Landscape Architecture. "A number of things can affect their experience on these public resources, such as the accesses they use, the information available, and long-term maintenance of water-related facilities. We welcome and need input in developing priorities for limited funding that make sense for Iowans."
 
ISU and the Iowa DNR kicked off its Statewide Water Trails and Low-head Dam Safety Plan along the Raccoon River in Adel with more than 100 people in attendance on September 29.   This planning process will provide the framework for development of water trails going forward, and a how-to manual for volunteers and public lands managers developing water trails.
 
The upcoming listening sessions are the public's first opportunity to give input, and will serve as the foundation for more in-depth exploration of how draft elements of the plan are developed. 
 
The following five regional sessions are scheduled: Story County - 7 p.m., Nov. 6, McFarland Park, 56461 180th St., Ames; Johnson County - 7 p.m., Nov. 13, Kent Park, Conservation Education Center, 2048 Hwy. 6 NW, Oxford; Pottawattamie County - 7 p.m., Nov. 18, Hancock Nature Center, Hancock; Cherokee County - 7 p.m., Nov. 20, Cherokee County Conservation Center, 629 River Road, Cherokee; Buchanan County - 7 p.m., Dec. 1, Fontana Park Nature Center 1883 125th St., Hazleton. 
 

Media contacts: John Wenck, Iowa DNR River Programs Outreach Coordinator, 515-281-8969; Mimi Wagner, ISU Department of Landscape Architecture Associate Professor, 515-294-8954

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