WATER TRAIL
GRANTS FUND DIVERSE PROJECTS
The Iowa Natural Resource Commission has
approved $61,181 in projects
that will be funded under the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources’
Water Trails Program. That amount will support the
development of 253
miles of water trails. A total of $72,844 was requested,
and the
projects selected will help leverage $283,565 worth of
projects.
“Just as these projects are being awarded, with this warm
spell,
I’m sure lots of folks are thinking about getting canoes and
kayaks
out on the water,” says Nate Hoogeveen, Iowa DNR River
Programs
coordinator. “Thanks to these funds, Iowans will begin seeing
nice
launches, clear signage, and enriching information about waterways
all
around the state.”
Examples of projects include:
· An on-water
wildlife viewing trail through swamp-like backwaters of
Lake Odessa, adjacent
to the Mississippi River in southeastern Iowa.
· Funding for two counties to
create a water trail through the scenic
bluffs and wild lands of the
Maquoketa River.
· A boat-based camping area at Yellow Banks Park in Polk
County.
· A water trail through small rapids and wild areas on the
Middle
Raccoon and South Raccoon rivers in Guthrie and Dallas counties.
The
Middle Raccoon River is a Protected Water Area, designated for
it’s
scenic and unique geological qualities.
Iowa DNR Water Trails
Awards for Fiscal Year 2008
· Maquoketa River Water Trail, Jackson County;
$6,560 to the Jackson
County Conservation Board.
· Maquoketa River Water
Trail, Mon Maq Dam to Pictured Rocks; $5,000 to
the Jones County Conservation
Board.
· Odessa Water Trail; $5,962 to Tri-River Conservation
Foundation.
· Bends and Beaches, Lower Wapsipinicon Water Trail; $9,512 to
the
Clinton County Conservation Board.
· Middle/South Raccoon River Water
Trail; $13,776 to the Dallas County
Conservation Board.
· Wapsipinicon
River Water Trail; $9,134 to the Bremer County
Conservation Board.
·
Yellow Banks Watercraft Campground; $4,485 to the Polk County
Conservation
Board.
· Skunk River Water Trail; $5,507 to the Polk County
Conservation
Board.