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.