620 First Avenue
Estherville, Iowa 51334

(712) 362-3541          E-Mail Link

Emmet County Water Trails Association (ECWTA) primary goals are the safe development and enhancement of the Des Moines River Water Trail through Emmet County  by creating trail heads, improving access points, development of riverside camping areas, placement of signage, and providing access from the water trail to points of interest including native prairie areas and historical archeological locations.

The Des Moines River is Iowa's largest internal river running 400 miles from northwest to southeast Iowa. The Des Moines River's Iowa headwaters start in Emmet County. It eventually empties into the Mississippi River at Keokuk. 

This river has been underutilized as a recreational trail largely through a lack of appropriate accesses and signage and that is what the ECWTA is working to correct. The ECWTA proposes to improve and enhance the river's value as a recreational, historical, cultural and educational experience by making the river more accessible, safer and easier to access. ECWTA projects is developing the accesses of the Des Moines River to provide the opportunity for all river users to enjoy the River and visit many different Iowa ecological biomes, and Native American archeological locations along the river.

Look for the information kiosks at trail heads to identify points of interest and important information.
 

First Annual Corn Cob Regatta
 

Remember to register for the August 06, 2006!

You won't want to miss the first annual Corn Cob Regatta! It can be a fun float or a race, it is up to you!

There will be prices awarded for the fastest time (staggered timed start) for canoe and kayak. There will be another award for the boat with the best corn related accessories!

Please come and join in the fun as a paddler or just come on out to cheer (or jeer) your friends on.

Learn More on the Corn Cob Regatta Page!