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The Central Iowa Paddlers is an informal group of paddlesport enthusiasts. The mission of the club is to share information, promote recreation opportunities and paddlesport safety, and encourage care of our aquatic resources. The group includes both new and experienced paddlers with canoes and kayaks of all kinds.
For the latest event announcements become a member and get your name on our email list!
CIP Newsletter, Outings, Exec Board
Click here for the latest CIP newsletter. See the Calendar page for paddling opportunities and the Links page for CIP Executive Board Minutes and activities.
New Low Head Dam Reference website
New from the IWC, the Iowa Low Head Dam Reference guide. The guide lists most of the dams in the state with additional information about each dam. Have a look and bookmark this new resource.
River Run Garbage Grab stats
The 2007 River Run Garbage Grab was a HUGE success! 195 volunteers and 30 staff worked 8 hours to remove OVER 24 TONS OF TRASH from a 10 mile stretch of the Des Moines River. A list of the day's catch and a video and photo collage of the event is on the riverstewards.org website. 43% of the total was recycled!
River Stewards
From the March 1999 CIP (CICC at the time) Newsletter ...
Paddlers have everything to gain by being stewards of the waterways on which we travel. We like to keep ourselves in good shape. Do your part to keep our waterways in good shape:
- Take trash out with you (yours and others).
- Keep fires small and put them out before you leave.
- Respect fishermen and personal property.
- Select toilet sites at least 100 feet away from the water's edge.
- Same with disposal of wash water.
- Leave wildlife alone.
We paddle for lots of reasons: solitude, beauty, watching wildlife, listening to sounds of nature, exercise, time with family and friends, thrill of accomplishment, and learning new skills. Whatever your reason for being on the water, be a good steward!
Photo and Essay Exhibit: We seek your input!
We invite you to submit photos and/or stories that illustrate ways paddlers are engaged in enjoying Iowa rivers and addressing issues that face those rivers. Please submit photographs in 4x6-inch film format or digital format @ 6 megapixel or greater resolution (photos will be shown in 11x14-inch format and matted). Photos and stories may be sent by email to rbfortney(~AT)msn.com or to Robin Fortney, 688 Polk Boulevard, Des Moines, Iowa 50312. Be sure to include your name, town, email address or telephone number, and river section so we can properly acknowledge you and the river or waterbody. We seek photos and stories about IOWATER stream monitoring activities, river trash cleanup events, dam safety, wildlife observations, fishing, on-river celebrations, watershed activities, whitewater paddling, general river fun, photos of kids enjoying rivers, etc. The deadline for submitting photos and stories is October 31, 2007. Editor reserves the right to select photos and stories, as well as edit stories, to include in the exhibit. The exhibit will be shown in various public venues in central Iowa in 2008. Have fun out there, take photos and share them with us!
Iowa Paddlers' Library
Central Iowa Paddlers and Iowa Whitewater Coalition members now have an "E-Library" from which to borrow great paddling books and videos at minimal cost! Donations (and loans) are being accepted.
PaddlingIowa.com
CHECK IT OUT: www.paddlingiowa.com
Rivers -
Lakes -
Forums -
Iowa Paddler
Throw bags and First Aid
The CIP Board has two 70 foot throw ropes & two first aid kits available for use by members. To borrow a set, contact centraliowapaddlers(~AT~)mchsi.com.
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Saving Our Avian Resources
As more and more paddlers get out and experience Iowa's wildlife, there are sure to be encounters with sick and injured animals. John Pearson shared his spectacular story of an eagle rescue on Lake Red Rock. John Wenck shared his story of finding a poisoned eagle on the Des Moines near his home, and has followed up with information about Bald Eagles and Lead Poisoning from Kay Neuman, Executive Director of SOAR. Are you wondering what YOU should do if you come across sick or injured wildlife? Check out the links in the margin of the Links page.
Zebra Mussels Found at Lake Rathbun
DNR - Adult Zebra Mussels Found on Boat at Lake Rathbun Posted: October 30, 2007. Zebra mussels are one example of an aquatic invasive species that has hitchhiked its way into Iowa. Information about aquatic invasive species and a list of infested waters can be found online at www.iowadnr.gov/fish.
DNR REQUESTS CITIZEN INPUT
DNR Asks for help in determining how Iowa's streams are used A short ONLINE survey requests documentation of existing recreational uses including swimmimng, wading, fishing, canoeing/kayaking and tubing. The DNR will consider these survey results when determining the appropriate level of protection for each stream, so please take a few moments to fill out a form for each of the streams and stream segments you are familiar with!
- From the Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter: In 2005, the Iowa Chapter was instrumental in getting state water quality standards re-written to presumptively protect all perennial and perennial-pooled rivers and streams for recreation and aquatic life. The Chapter now faces the challenge of ensuring that the rules are implemented properly. The State has mandated that all affected streams must be formally assessed before the additional protections will actually be used in calculating wastewater discharge permit limits. The Use Attainability Assessment process can be heavily influenced by public input describing specific personal uses of the water resources. The results of this survey will help determine the level of pollution protection that streams and rivers will receive. The first round of 200 stream assessments and recommended designations will be acted upon during the spring and summer of 2007.
We need every Iowan that uses our rivers and streams to answer the survey questions for each river or stream they use. (This survey is not interactive and must be downloaded, printed and sent in.) Download the survey here.
(The DNR has posted a status list of current UAA's at www.iowadnr.com/water/files/uaa_log.pdf.)
Project AWARE and other Clean-ups
Paddle Smart, Be Safe, Have Fun!
- 10 ways to paddle safely
- Always wear your PFD!
- Don't Drink While Paddling
- Stay Low
- Keep Your Balance
- Practice the Wet Exit
- Don't Get Left in the Cold
- Plan Ahead
- Never Paddle Alone
- Be In Command
- Learn About Your Boat
These and other great tips are available at the American Canoe Association, US Coast Guard and American Whitewater Association websites. Check out the Special ACA Beginner's Guide.
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Central Iowa Paddlers