April 2006 - Emmet County Water Trails Association – Update

by Dr. Bill Moreau ECWTA President

Spring is finally here and more than the Daffodils are up. We have water and plenty of it! Currently the river is still more than three feet above the flood stage of seven feet. Thankfully we are still a long ways away from the record high stage of 17.68 feet that was set on April 12, 1969. That was the year that produced the lasting images of getting out of school to sand bag the inside of peoples homes and the river flooding over the top of the Riverside Hills golf course bridge. Thankfully we have not experienced flooding like that this year but we still need to give the river plenty of watchful respect. The West Fork is flowing hard and fast at almost 4,500 cubic feet per second and that makes for a fast ride. Please remember to be very careful anytime you are around the river and always use a life jacket. 

ECWTA committee members have been planning for the implementation of the first phase of developing the water trail in Emmet County. You may recall that we received a grant from the Iowa DNR to help us develop the water trail accesses. Many people were instrumental in bringing this initial project together. This proves once again that when we all pull together great things can happen. Last months meeting with local landowners provided a great opportunity for the exchange of ideas and information.  We are working on adding these suggestions into our plans.

The design of water trail signs and preparation to order the tools to build the trail is almost completed. We could use some help! If you would like to help or if you are interested in joining the ECWTA please give Dusty Embree a call at the chamber offices at 362.3541.

The ECWTA is now affiliated with the America's oldest and largest national nonprofit paddle sport organization the American Canoe Association (ACA).  The ACA represents the interests of all paddle sport enthusiasts. Affiliation with the ACA will provide an important link between members of the ECWTA and the national paddling community.  In addition, the ACA will also provide us with an opportunity to obtain insurance for our events. Members of the ECWTA can also join the ACA at a discounted fee and receive the ACA’s Paddler magazine.  One of our goals is to develop the West Fork of the Des Moines River as a ACA approved water trail, so that others will know about the great things we have going right here in Emmet County.

The IOWATER level one-certification course is coming to Estherville!  We have been working for almost a year to get the IOWATER right here in our own backyard.  This course will be a great opportunity for us to learn more about our rivers and lakes in the area. You do not need to be a scientist to get involved. The first day is conducted indoors in a classroom-type setting, while the last day of the workshop is spent in a nearby stream getting wet and dirty and having a great time! The IOWATER Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Training session will be held at the Estherville Sleep Inn and Suites on June 2, from 5-9 PM and June 3, from 9 AM- 3 PM. The workshop registration fee is $25.00 per person. This fee goes to the Iowa DNR and covers the program costs, meals, and testing equipment.

Please visit IOWATER or contact Dusty at the Chamber of Commerce for more information.  Look for more information next month on the first annual “Corn Cob River Regatta” associated with Sweet Corn Days!