*Canoe, Kayak and Innertube Rentals Generate $5 million for Iowa's Economy*
Posted: /February 17, 2009/

DES MOINES - Canoe, kayak, and innertube rental businesses generate more 
than $1 million in rental fees, and that generates $4 million in related 
spending, according to a new survey conducted by Iowa Department of 
Natural Resources' Rivers Program, in conjunction with Iowa State 
University's Department of Landscape Architecture. The survey was 
administered as part of the water trails and low-head dam safety 
statewide planning process initiated by the Iowa General Assembly in 2008.

Some findings include:

    * Liveries contribute $5.14 million to Iowa's economy, with $1.14
      million in rental receipts, and an additional $4 million for
      related spending (i.e., lodging, auto related, food and drink).

    * Four rivers - the Upper Iowa River, the Des Moines River, the
      Maquoketa River, and the Iowa River - accounted for $650,000, or
      57 percent, of the total estimated receipts.

    * Liveries use public accesses, and some have requested additional
      public services, including water trail development, law
      enforcement, and hazard mitigation.

    * Canoeing accounted for 48 percent of the total estimated 41,713
      trips per year. Innertubing accounted for 44 percent of the total
      trips, and kayaking accounted for 8 percent.

To view the entire report, visit 
http://www.iowadnr.gov/watertrails/planning.html.

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