Exploring Iowa’s Water Trails

Exploring Iowa’s Water Trails

By Rod Woten

Iowans are blessed with many rivers, creeks, lakes and reservoirs that are perfect paddling whether they choose a canoe, kayak or even an inner tube. These waterways will take you through a variety of areas that are significant to our state whether from a historical, cultural, geological, or ecological standpoint. Indeed, some of these waterways have reached legendary status within the paddling community. All you have to do is mention The Upper Iowa, Yellow or Shellrock River to any avid Iowa paddler and wait for their salivary glands to kick in. Because of opportunities like these, Iowans are also blessed to have the State Designated Water Trails Program that the DNR oversees. The goal of the water trails program in Iowa is to provide more well-designated water trails across the state to enable more people to discover and enjoy paddling by allowing easier access to paddling. This is done by distributing water trails across the state. The Department of Natural Resources has designated over 1500 miles of inland waterways as Iowa Water Trails so no matter where you live, there will be a designated water trail somewhere near you.

The water trails program provides standardized mapping for all waterways in the program. Some water trails are so lengthy that multiple maps are required to cover the entire length, so be sure you know which segment you want to paddle before downloading the map from the DNR’s website. Because the maps are standardized all of the symbology, mileage marking, color coding, etc. will be consistent regardless of the map, or maps, you select. These maps also do a good job of detailing geological features you may see along the way, typical and unique wildlife that you might spot, fish you might catch, as well as any historical and/or culturally significant areas you may be passing through.

All of Iowa’s designated water trails will also have standardized signage to make driving to access points, navigation while on the water and locating amenities like restroom facilities, campgrounds, etc., as well as hazards like low-head dams that may require portaging consistent from one trail to another.

Currently, the following designated water trails maps are available on the DNR website for download
• Blackhawk Creek (Blackhawk County)
• Boone River (Hamilton County)
• Cedar River (Blackhawk County)
• Des Moines River (Boone County)
• Des Moines River (Webster County)
• Iowa River (Johnson County)
• Iowa River (Louisa County)
• Lizard Creek (Webster County)
• Lower Des Moines River (Eldon to Farmington)
• Maquoketa River (Delaware County)
• Maquoketa River (Jones County)
• North Fork & Maquoketa River (Jackson County)
• North Raccoon River (Sac County to Carrol County)
• North Raccoon River (Greene County)
• North Raccoon River (Dallas County)
• South & Middle Raccoon River (Dallas & Guthrie Counties)
• Wapsipinicon River (Buchanan County)
• Wapsipinicon River (Clinton & Scott Counties)
• West Fork Des Moines River (Emmet County)
• Skunk River (Story County)

Water Trail Categories
Iowa Water Trails offer something for every experience level ranging from beginner to experienced paddlers. The beginner level, called “Gateway” segments, means paddlers can expect small, easily navigable hazards like rock riffles and partially submerged trees (called strainers). This is all assuming “normal” flow conditions, as high flow conditions can turn even the most easily navigated flows into a fast moving, powerful force that can pin both craft and paddler against obstructions or pull them under strainers. This level of waterway will often have well-groomed access and take-out points as well as amenities like restrooms and running water.

Paddlers navigating “Recreational” segments will encounter more hazards than the Gateway segments that will require more skill at maneuvering your craft around those hazards. This level can also require some portaging. In contrast with Gateway access points, Recreational access points will be less groomed, often being gravel rather than pavement. The presence of amenities at Recreational access points will also be less likely than at Gateway points.

“Challenge” segments will require the most paddling experience and skill. Hazards are much more frequent and more severe. In addition to higher currents and larger, more dangerous sweepers paddlers may also encounter logjams, rapids and heavy winds and waves on open waters like lakes. Access points for Challenge segments are typically more difficult to get to than the previous two types of segments.

Probably my favorite type to paddle is called a “Wilderness Experience” segment. The goal of this type of segment is to get away from as many facets of the hustle and bustle of modern everyday life as possible. These types of segments often require multiple days to traverse so primitive camping is often involved. Signage is very minimal and amenities are scarce and, like the camping, are typically very primitive.

Gear For Exploring Iowa’s Water Trails
It is important when venturing out on one of Iowa’s water trails that you bring certain essential pieces of safety equipment. First and foremost, bring the skill set to match the type of water trail segment you will be venturing out on. If you don’t know how to quickly turn your craft, I would not recommend that you tackle a recreational or challenge segment. Use the gateway segments to learn basic paddle strokes and craft control until you are competent enough to move to the next level. Mistakes at the challenge level can be deadly, so please be sure of your skill before advancing to the next level.

Bring a PFD and WEAR IT! A PFD does you absolutely no good if you are not wearing it when you go into the water. Knowing how to swim is also not a valid excuse for not wearing a PFD. Even very skilled swimmers can drown. It doesn’t matter how well you swim if you hit your head on a slightly submerged rock as you fall out of your boat and lose consciousness. Cold water and current are two more things that will conspire against even the strongest swimmer with deadly results.

On my PFD, I always have a whistle attached. Three short blasts on a whistle is a universal distress signal and will carry MUCH further than the human voice. Additionally, unlike the human voice, a whistle will not wear out with repeated use.

I also never paddle without carrying some sort of a knife and a fire-making kit in a waterproof container. I much prefer a fire steel or ferro rod to a lighter or matches since it works when wet and never runs out of fuel. I also include some sort of fire-starting material in my fire kit like cotton ball saturated in petroleum jelly, char cloth, jute rope, commercially made fire plugs or my homemade starter that I make with dryer lint, fiber egg cartons and melted wax. The knife can be used to strike the ferro rod and also be used for everything from cutting your summer sausage at a lunch stop to cleaning fish to fashioning tools and cutting rope.

I also like to bring bailer with me on all my trips. A good bailer will allow you to empty a swamped craft in a surprisingly short amount of time without requiring you to find an accessible shore that you can swim to with your swamped craft in tow to and dump it. Commercially made bailers can be found at most paddle sports retailers or you can fashion your own from a gallon plastic jug.

I also always bring an extra paddle with me on every trip. If you tip at any time during your trip, chances are pretty good that you will lose the paddle being used at the time. You may be able to catch up with it downstream, but even that is unlikely. Having a spare paddle lashed under you seat or between the thwarts will ensure that you aren’t stranded if you lose your paddle. If you can retrieve your craft, you have a replacement paddle there waiting for you to use in place of the lost paddle.

A change of clothes in a dry bag is also a great thing to carry in your craft with you. If you do go in and are able to get your boat bailed and usable again, a dry change of clothes, at the very least, will allow you to finish your trip in dry clothes. Worst case scenario, a dry change of clothes will allow you find temporary shelter and start a fire without having to worry about the effects of hypothermia setting in.

More To Come!
The DNR has new designated water trails in the works and still more in the research and planning stages, but it takes time to secure the funding, make arrangements with affected landowners and build or install the infrastructure, so they don’t happen overnight. While we’re waiting, we might as well go out and enjoy that water trails that we already have. The DNR has gone to great lengths to make sure the water trails are easy to find, access and enjoy so grab your safety equipment, your paddle and your boat of choice and get out there and explore Iowa’s Water Trails!