LINKS TO GENERAL INFO

This page provides links to a variety of sources of info of interest to Water Trails users.  For links to specific Water Trails and Whitewater sites, visit the “Water Trails” page.

Forward corrections or additions to  iowawta@gmail.com

 

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

 

LINKS TO GENERAL WATER TRAIL & PADDLING INFO

Iowa Water Trails Association:
IWTA facilitates exchange of info for developers, supporters, and users of Iowa water trails. Subscribe to free, monthly email IWTA Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/IWTASubscribe , contact via email at iowawta@gmail.org, visit website at http://iowawatertrails.org/.

Iowa Paddling Forum: 
Online info, events, exchange of Q&A for paddlers of all interests and skill levels. Excellent source of whitewater info, free.
http://iowapaddling.prophpbb.com/

Paddling.Net:
National paddlers website; boat data, test reports, classified ads, and advice about paddling and paddling activities from around the country, free.
http://www.paddling.net/

Real Time Levels and Flow Rates for Iowa Rivers, USGS:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt

Iowa DNR Water Trail Maps and Brochures:
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/CanoeingKayaking/PaddlerResources/WaterTrailMapsBrochures.aspx

Iowa DNR, River Programs, Iowa Water Trails:

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/CanoeingKayaking.aspx

Book “Paddling Iowa,” by Nate Hoogeveen: Otter Run Media, 184 pages, 3rd Edition 2012
http://www.amazon.com/Paddling-Iowa-Outstanding-Journeys-Canoe/dp/0615579477

 

LINKS TO NATURE EDUCATION CENTERS, PARKS, CAMPING

Iowa State Parks: Locations, facilities, contact info, camping reservations:
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Destinations/StateParksRecAreas/IowasStateParks.aspx

County Conservation Boards: Websites, newsletters, event calendars, parks, nature centers, facilities, camping, lakes, water trails. Centralized access for all 99 Iowa counties:
www.mycountyparks.com

Indian Creek Nature Center (ICNC) in Cedar Rapids: Year-round nature education center, sponsor of annual ICNC Paddle Day:
http://www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org

 

LINKS TO PADDLER GROUPS & CLUBS

Cedar Valley Paddlers: club based in Cedar Falls/Waterloo. Annual events calendar, membership dues. http://cedarvalleypaddler.wixsite.com/home  email to cedarvalleypaddlers@gmail.com

Central Iowa Paddlers: club based in Central Iowa, members statewide. Annual events calendar, dues.

http://centraliowapaddlers.org/

Iowa Whitewater Coalition: group based in Central Iowa, dues.
http://www.iowawhitewater.org/

Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club: Quad Cities, dues.
http://www.rivers-end.org/saukenuk/

Skunk River Paddlers: club based in Ames,
http://www.skunkriverpaddlers.org/

Sticks In the Water: email exchange paddlers group in Eastern Iowa, email address
http://groups.yahoo.com
or visit the SIW forum on Iowa Paddling Forum
http://iowapaddling.prophpbb.com/

LINKS TO FULL-SERVICE PADDLE SHOPS, RENTALS, LESSONS, TRIPS

CanoeSport Outfitters in Indianola hosts the February Iowa Outdoor Expo, stocks boats and gear for paddling and cycling. Events, trips, classes, & products at:
http://www.canoesportoutfitters.com/index.php

CrawDaddy Outdoors in Waverly supports the March NE Iowa PaddleFest, stocks boats and gear for paddling, camping and other outdoor activities. Events, classes, trips, products at: http://crawdaddyoutdoors.com/crawdaddy-events/

Seatasea Watersports in Cedar Rapids closed its business in December 2015.

LINKS TO IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Iowa DNR home page.
http://www.iowadnr.gov/

Iowa DNR publications.
http://www.iowadnr.gov/IDNRSearchResults.aspx?q=publications

Iowa DNR, River Programs, Iowa Water Trails. http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/CanoeingKayaking.aspx

Iowa DNR, Water Trails Development Manual.
http://www.iowadnr.gov/riverprograms/watertrails.html

Iowa DNR, Iowa Water Trail Construction Volunteer Email Advisory. Contact Luke Wright. lukewright60@yahoo.com

Iowa DNR/ACA “Smart Start for Safe Paddling” brochure.
http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/riverprograms/smart_start.pdf

Iowa DNR Fishing Reports.
http://www.iowadnr.com/news/currentfish.html

Iowa DNR guidelines for display of registration decals and numbers, other legal requirements. http://www.boat-ed.com/ia/handbook/register.htm#more/

IOWATER-sponsored cleanup events across the state. http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WaterQuality/WaterMonitoring/IOWATER.aspx

Iowa Outdoors Magazine.
http://www.iowadnr.gov/magazine/index.html

Iowa Outdoors Show on Iowa Public Television.
http://www.iptv.org/iowaoutdoors/default.cfm

LINKS TO ANNUAL EVENTS INVOLVING IOWANS

Jan; Indian Creek Nature Center Paddle Day, Cedar Rapids. Presentations, exhibits, and socializing. www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org/
Feb; Iowa Paddle & Pedal Expo at CanoeSport Outfitters, Indianola. Exhibits, presentations, factory reps, show specials. http://www.canoesportoutfitters.com/index.php
Mar; Canoecopia at Rutabaga in Madison, WI. World’s largest paddling sports show; includes exhibitors from Iowa. http://www.canoecopia.com/canoecopia/page.asp?pgid=1001
Mar; NE Iowa Paddlefest, Cedar Falls. Keynote speaker, concurrent presentations, heated pool sessions. http://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Black-Hawk/Park/Hartman-Reserve-Nature-Center/Events/5383/Northeast-Iowa-Paddle-Fest.aspx
May-Jun; Charles City Challenge: WhiteWater Weekend. Kayak & SUP competition, riverfront activities. www.CCWhiteWater.com
Jun; Forest City Adventure Race, Forest City on Winnebago River WT. Paddling, cycling, running race with individual & group classes. www.CCWhiteWater.com
Jun; Iowa Trails Summit, Cedar Falls/Waterloo. Presentations, demos, exhibits re all types of trails—water, hiking, biking, equestrian, offroad, snowmobile. http://www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes/trailsummit.html
Jun; Great Iowa River Canoe & Kayak Race, Sturgis Ferry Park to Hills Access on Iowa River WT. Course 9.25 miles, divisions for Canoe, Kayak, Racing, Recreational, Youth, Paddleboard, & Company Challenge. Iowa Valley RC&D, www.ivrcd.org , click on “Projects.”
Jul; Iowa DNR Project AWARE (A Watershed Awareness River Expedition). A 5-7 day paddling, camping, cleanup, and educational adventure along an Iowa river. www.iowaprojectaware.com
Jul; Great River Rumble. Annual Midwest weeklong paddle, shuttles, campsites, meals, gear transport, typically 110 miles with connection to Mississippi River. http://www.riverrumble.org/
Aug; Annual Floatzilla in Quad Cities. Floats, training sessions, food, live music, world record attempt for largest flotilla of kayaks & canoes. http://www.floatzilla.org/

LINKS TO ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING WATER TRAILS, WATERWAYS, & PADDLERS

Iowa Water Trails Association.
IWTA facilitates exchange of info for developers, supporters, and users of Iowa water trails. Subscribe to free monthly email IWTA Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/IWTASubscribe , contact via email at iowawta@gmail.org, visit website at http://iowawatertrails.org/

Iowa Rivers Revival.
IRR is a statewide organization promoting the importance of our rivers and the many economic, environmental and recreational resources they provide for our state. Sign up to receive IRR’s e-News, rlehman@iowarivers.org. More info about IRR at
www.iowarivers.org/

Iowa Environmental Council.
IEC, an alliance of over 60 diverse organizations, works to protect Iowa’s natural environment in pursuit of a safe, healthy environment and sustainable future. Find info and signups for action alerts and e-news bulletins at http://www.iaenvironment.org/

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
The INHF protects and restores Iowa’s land, water, and wildlife through partnerships with Iowa landowners. www.inhf.org

Cedar River Watershed Coalition.
Multi-jurisdictional group works to coordinate & communicate efforts to improve management of the entire Cedar River watershed; request addition to email list at CEDARRIVERCOALITION@LIST.UIOWA.EDU

Raccoon River Watershed Association.
RRWA provides a website, newsletter, advocacy, & strong emphasis on scientific research, delivering education, entertainment, & an excellent model for similar organizations. http://www.northraccoon.org/North_Raccoon/RRWA.html

Iowa River Friends.
IRF is a group of citizens, organized in 2013, dedicated to enjoying, protecting, and improving the entire Iowa River watershed. http://iowariverfriends.org/

Lake Macbride Conservancy.
LMC works to maintain the unique status, natural beauty, and safe use of Lake Macbride.
http://lakemacbrideconservancy.org/

Clean Water Starts With Us.
This is a free quarterly newsletter about watershed improvement, published by IDNR, IDALS, & USDA.
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WaterQuality/WatershedImprovement/WatershedNews.aspx

LINKS TO SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATIONS, ONLINE FIELD GUIDES

Iowa Audubon Society.
Statewide organization with 12 local chapters, works to identify birds, protect & restore habitat, and educate Iowa’s citizens. Info and links to local chapters.
http://iowaaudubon.org/

Iowa Ornithologists’ Union.
Iowa bird info, sightings, etc.
http://www.iowabirds.org/

Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA).
Programs, events, speakers, research & excavation updates, links to numerous resources.
http://archaeology.uiowa.edu/

Insects of Iowa website.
http://www.insectsofiowa.com/

HerpNet – Field Guide to Iowa Reptiles and Amphibians.
http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/

State Historical Society of Iowa.
Museum in Des Moines, historic sites, events & programs, research library, online exhibits.
http://www.iowahistory.org/

Iowa Fungi website, Iowa State University.
Assists in the identification and study of fungi.
http://www.herbarium.iastate.edu/fungi/

LINKS TO BLOGS RELATING TO IOWA PADDLING & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

“Larry Stone’s Iowa” blog, by Larry Stone.
http://www.larrystonesiowa.com/blog/

“Little Red Kayak” blog, by Julie Ohde.
http://www.littleredkayak.blogspot.com/

“Out About Iowa” blog, by John Pearson.
http://outaboutiowa.blogspot.com/

“Take It Outside” blog, by Iowa DNR.
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/TakeitOutsideBlog.aspx

“Travel Iowa” blog, by Iowa Tourism Office.
http://blog.traveliowa.com/