It seems that Facebook has become the go-to resource for information. That may not be a bad thing in some circumstances, but one risks receiving answers from well-intentioned people who know little more than they do.
This page attempts to provide answers and resources that might be more reliable. Topics include Where, When and How to Paddle, Streamflows and Float Times, PFDs, What to Buy, and Trespass Issues.
Please leave your suggestions and helpful criticisms in the comment section.
This page attempts to provide answers and resources that might be more reliable. Topics include Where, When and How to Paddle, Streamflows and Float Times, PFDs, What to Buy, and Trespass Issues.
Please leave your suggestions and helpful criticisms in the comment section.
WHERE TO PADDLE?
There are too many resources to list, but here's a good start:
There are too many resources to list, but here's a good start:
- Nate Hoogeveen's book, Paddling Iowa, lists "129 Outstanding Journeys by Canoe, Kayak, or SUP" (2021 Edition). If you're new to paddling, be sure to check out Chapters 1 & 2.
- Online, the Iowa DNR's Where to Paddle page includes an interactive paddling map and a Water Trails Map (pdf, top right). Another page links to Maps, Brochures and Guides.
- Also online, the DNR's Where to Fish page may be of interest to some.
- County Conservation Boards often provide printed brochures of their local water trails and share that information online at My County Parks.
- Don't overlook the PaddleSport Stores. (Crawdaddy Outdoors has an entire page of Iowa River Maps.)
- Be aware, too, of potential dangers. The DNR's Interactive Map shows the location of dams and other known hazards, and the Iowa Whitewater Coalition maintains a Low Head Dams Reference Page.
WHEN TO PADDLE?
Wind, weather, water temperatures and streamflow are important considerations when planning a paddling trip. Check the wind & weather forecasts before you go, and the streamflow, and then consider whether your skills, your paddle craft and equipment (and those of your group!) are appropriate for the expected conditions.
Every year, warm air temperatures lure people into taking small boats out onto lethally cold water, where a large number of them capsize or fall in - and drown. These folks aren't stupid, or intentionally reckless, and many are good swimmers; they simply have the misfortune of falling into a exceptionally lethal and well-camouflaged trap.
Wind, weather, water temperatures and streamflow are important considerations when planning a paddling trip. Check the wind & weather forecasts before you go, and the streamflow, and then consider whether your skills, your paddle craft and equipment (and those of your group!) are appropriate for the expected conditions.
Every year, warm air temperatures lure people into taking small boats out onto lethally cold water, where a large number of them capsize or fall in - and drown. These folks aren't stupid, or intentionally reckless, and many are good swimmers; they simply have the misfortune of falling into a exceptionally lethal and well-camouflaged trap.
- Cold Water Boot Camp
HOW TO PADDLE? (Or How Can I Improve My KSAs?)
You can't know what you don't know, so take a class! You'll learn and practice skills that will make paddling safer, easier, and even more enjoyable.
You can't know what you don't know, so take a class! You'll learn and practice skills that will make paddling safer, easier, and even more enjoyable.
- The Iowa DNR offers canoe, kayak and SUP training targeted to trip leaders. You can find that information on their How to Paddle page.
- The Iowa Whitewater Coalition also offers formal training as well as free and informal skill development and practice. Winter pool sessions provide a safe environment for improving some of those skills.
- CanoeSport Outfitters (Indianola) offers canoe, kayak & SUP Courses and has shared informational videos on their Blog, YouTube and Facebook pages. One of Jeff's helpful videos may help you assess your personal skill level.
- Nate Hoogeveen's book, Paddling Iowa, has some great information in Chapters 1&2.
- The ACA's Paddling 101; A Newcomers Guide to Safe Canoeing and Kayaking is a great place to start!
WHAT ABOUT FLOWS AND FLOAT TIMES?
Let's start with float time, since that's pretty easy to estimate. On most Iowa streams you can expect your moving average to be about 2-3 mph, depending on whether you're a "floater" or a "paddler." Low water and headwinds may slow you down, and you'll probably be faster on streams with a high gradient - and during high flows. River mileages can be found in Nate's book (Paddling Iowa), on the DNR's Interactive Map and on the DNR page of Maps & Brochures.
Let's start with float time, since that's pretty easy to estimate. On most Iowa streams you can expect your moving average to be about 2-3 mph, depending on whether you're a "floater" or a "paddler." Low water and headwinds may slow you down, and you'll probably be faster on streams with a high gradient - and during high flows. River mileages can be found in Nate's book (Paddling Iowa), on the DNR's Interactive Map and on the DNR page of Maps & Brochures.
Real-time streamflow data is readily available online (see River Gauges for links and related information), but suggesting appropriate streamflows is difficult due to the varying interests, experience and abilities of each paddler. First-hand information from familiar and trusted sources (e.g. Paddling Iowa and/or knowledgeable friends) may prove to be the most useful. Lacking that guidance you may want to avoid anything above or below normal, depending on your skill level, that of your paddling partner(s), the air and water temperatures, etc.
MUST I WEAR A LIFE JACKET?
In ~90% of all boating related drownings, the victim was not wearing a Life Jacket (a.k.a. Life Preserver, Personal Flotation Device or PFD). The victims include good swimmers, and we can assume that none of them planned to die and most never planned to enter the water. That's why we call them accidents.
And if you're STILL not convinced, try putting your life jacket on while treading water. IF you're successful, imagine putting it on after an unexpected swim, while trying to keep an eye on your gear and your paddling partner(s). Maybe your children. And while being swept downstream into a strainer.
In ~90% of all boating related drownings, the victim was not wearing a Life Jacket (a.k.a. Life Preserver, Personal Flotation Device or PFD). The victims include good swimmers, and we can assume that none of them planned to die and most never planned to enter the water. That's why we call them accidents.
- Iowa Boating Law requires that you have one USCG approved wearable Type I, II, III or V Life Jacket for each person on board (including SUPs). It must be readily accessible and sized for the intended user. In addition, children under 13 years of age must wear a PFD.
- Life Jackets Float. Do You? An ACA video that addresses the many challenges of moving waters.
- Please Wear It! If you're still not convinced, please spend some time on the US Coast Guard's “Please Wear It” Facebook page and on their Water Safety Program webpage.
And if you're STILL not convinced, try putting your life jacket on while treading water. IF you're successful, imagine putting it on after an unexpected swim, while trying to keep an eye on your gear and your paddling partner(s). Maybe your children. And while being swept downstream into a strainer.
ARE INFLATABLE PFDS LEGAL?
Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use by persons under the age of 16, for tow-behind activities (e.g. water skiing) or by operators of personal watercraft. They should not be used for high-impact activities (e.g. whitewater paddling), and unlike inherently buoyant PFDs, they must be worn. It's not enough to have one "on board."
"Everyone who owns or would like to own an inflatable life jacket needs to watch this 9-minute ACA video to learn all about care and maintenance of them." There are some advantages to having the instantaneous buoyancy of a traditional, inherently buoyant PFD, and a concern that users won't know how to inflate their PFD manually should the auto inflation mechanism fail. The delay of inflation may be most critical in cold water because the user is likely to become completely submerged upon falling in, potentially increasing the cold shock response (see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_shock_response). And in below freezing temperatures, the CO2 cartridge may not fully inflate the PFD.
Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use by persons under the age of 16, for tow-behind activities (e.g. water skiing) or by operators of personal watercraft. They should not be used for high-impact activities (e.g. whitewater paddling), and unlike inherently buoyant PFDs, they must be worn. It's not enough to have one "on board."
"Everyone who owns or would like to own an inflatable life jacket needs to watch this 9-minute ACA video to learn all about care and maintenance of them." There are some advantages to having the instantaneous buoyancy of a traditional, inherently buoyant PFD, and a concern that users won't know how to inflate their PFD manually should the auto inflation mechanism fail. The delay of inflation may be most critical in cold water because the user is likely to become completely submerged upon falling in, potentially increasing the cold shock response (see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_shock_response). And in below freezing temperatures, the CO2 cartridge may not fully inflate the PFD.
WHICH KAYAK (OR CANOE) SHOULD I BUY?
When people ask this on Facebook they're likely to receive advice from others who know little more than they do. Those well-intentioned paddlers might be in their own first boat and that's all they know. Maybe their needs and interests (including the bodies of water available to them) are different than those of the inquirer. They could be in the wrong boat and don't know it!
So why not ask the experts? Visit the nearest Paddlesport Shop where knowledgeable staff can help you select something that best fits your personal needs, and/or go online to find that CanoeSport Outfitters (Indianola), Rutabaga (Madison) and others have already written on the subject: Things to consider even before you buy your first boat (how to paddle, where to paddle, and who to paddle with). Headwaters Kayak (CA) has dozens of reviews and informational videos on their YouTube page. One takeaway from this video might be that some of the low-cost kayaks will not be of much help in the event of a capsize (meaning that they may not float, so wear your PFD)!
The best advice you'll get might be that you should try before you buy!
When people ask this on Facebook they're likely to receive advice from others who know little more than they do. Those well-intentioned paddlers might be in their own first boat and that's all they know. Maybe their needs and interests (including the bodies of water available to them) are different than those of the inquirer. They could be in the wrong boat and don't know it!
So why not ask the experts? Visit the nearest Paddlesport Shop where knowledgeable staff can help you select something that best fits your personal needs, and/or go online to find that CanoeSport Outfitters (Indianola), Rutabaga (Madison) and others have already written on the subject: Things to consider even before you buy your first boat (how to paddle, where to paddle, and who to paddle with). Headwaters Kayak (CA) has dozens of reviews and informational videos on their YouTube page. One takeaway from this video might be that some of the low-cost kayaks will not be of much help in the event of a capsize (meaning that they may not float, so wear your PFD)!
- Things to Consider When Buying a Boat (Rutabaga PaddleSports)
- How to Demo a Kayak (CanoeSport Outfitters)
The best advice you'll get might be that you should try before you buy!
River Camping and other potential trespass issues
- Rivers and streams in Iowa are classified as either "meandered" or "non-meandered." It's typically the larger rivers (the lower parts of them) that are classified as "meandered," in which case the stream bed and banks are owned by the state.
- On non-meandered streams the bed and banks are part of the adjacent property - and usually private. River users may portage around obstacles and walk the shallows, as those and other activities may be considered incidental to navigation. Camping, without prior permission, might be considered trespassing (see Iowa AG Opinion below).
- Learn more about Meandered Rivers and Lakes in Iowa, view a map of Iowa's meandered rivers and check the legal boundaries of meandered rivers on the IADNR Canoe & Kayak webpages.
- Read a 1996 Attorney General Opinion regarding REAL PROPERTY; WATERS & WATER COURSES; RECREATIONAL NAVIGATION; FENCES. (pdf)
“Extras” The ACA partnered with Anzovin Studio and the US Coast Guard to create an animated memoir-style video that urges paddlers to take personal responsibility for their safety on the water. The video focuses on the stories of three different paddlers, and tells the harrowing accounts of their near-death experiences on the water.
- How to Repair a Kayak, one of many helpful articles at Paddling.com.
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