Wednesday evenings at 6:30 - Paddle at the Park - Meet other area paddlers at Ada Hayden Park Wednesday evenings May - September. Contact Cindy @ skunkriverpaddlers.org ISU Canoe and Kayak Club Pool Sessions - State Gym Pool Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons September through April when classes are in session. All equipment provided. There is a $6 facility use fee for non-students. Winter Hikes in Story County - Sundays at 1:30 December through March 2/5-7/16 - CanoeSport Outfitters Iowa Paddle and Peddle Expo 2/27/16 - Winter Iowa Games (Indoor Pool) Charles City 2/28/16 - Winter ROGAINE Orienteering Race at Swede Point Park. 3/12/16 - SRP Pancake Paddle, Iowa Arboretum - Contact Rick @ skunkriverpaddlers.org 3/22/16 - Outdoor Alliance of Story County Annual Meeting - Contact Greg @ skunkriverpaddlers.org 4/27/16 - From Farming to Gravel Pit to City Park, the History of Ada Hayden Heritage Park - Ames Historical Society 4/30/16 - Stash the Trash - Contact Cindy @ skunkriverpaddlers.org 5/1/16 - Story County Conservation Partners Spring Festival, 2-5pm at McFarland Park/b> (volunteer opportunity) - Contact David @ skunkriverpaddlers.org 5/14/16 - South Skunk Spring Float - Contact Jeff @ skunkriverpaddlers.org 5/15/16 - Squaw Creek Spring IOWATER Snapshot (Sunday) - Contact Rick @ squawcreekwatershed.org 5/22/16 - Hickory Grove Triathlon (volunteer opportunity) - Contact Piper @ skunkriverpaddlers.org 5/28-29/16 - South Dakota Kayak Challenge 6/11/16 - Great Iowa River Race - Contact Cindy @ skunkriverpaddlers.org 6/18/16 - Charles City Challenge 7/11-15/16 - Iowa Project AWARE on the lower Des Moines River 7/16/16 - Iowa Games Canoe & Kayak Competition at Ada Hayden Park 7/31/16 - Bluff Creek Triathlon (volunteer opportunity) - Contact Piper @ skunkriverpaddlers.org 9/11/16 - Great Ames Adventure Race (volunteer opportunity) - Contact Rick @ skunkriverpaddlers.org 12/3/16 - SRP Waffle Float, Iowa Arboretum - Contact Cindy @ skunkriverpaddlers.org The South Skunk is on Facebook! LINK: Reflections: Ada Hayden Heritage Park - also links to the Friends group 16 January 2014 - River Restoration Success! News from Iowa Rivers Revival (IRR): The Iowa Rivers and Waterways Study Committee unanimously supports efforts to develop a River Restoration Program. / Please THANK the Iowa Rivers and Water Study Committee members for their interest and support of a River Restoration Program in Iowa. This is a huge win and step in helping to improve and enhance Iowa’s rivers and streams. 15 January 2014 - The Legislature is now in session! News from Iowa Rivers Revival (IRR) - River Issues, River Restoration, REAP and the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, the Low-Head Dam Mitigation and Water Trails Programs, and details of the Legislative Reception scheduled for February 3rd. You will also find contact info for your legislators. Working for Clean Water: Iowa Watershed Successes December 3 - A trip report of the 8th annual SRP Waffle Float appears in the February CIP newsletter. Check out Diane's photos at www.skunkriverpaddlers.org/images2/2011 Waffle Float/ Story County awarded Squaw Creek Watershed management funds (Ames Tribune 12/1/2011), Six Watershed Management Authorities Funded to Mitigate Future Flooding (IDNR 11/17/2011), Rebuild Iowa Office: $10 Million in Watershed and Flood Mitigation Projects to Benefit Iowa (Iowa Flood Center 11/1/2010) Check this out: The Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS) Saturday October 15 - Thanks to those that helped again with the Squaw Creek Snapshot. Results will be posted (to www.squawcreekwatershed.org) as they become available. October 9 - Congrats to Jeff, Jane and Greg B for their efforts today! See "Lost and Found" on the South Skunk River's Facebook page. September 11 - THANK YOU ALL for another fantastic Great Ames Adventure Race! Many thanks to our sponsors, supporters, prize donors and volunteers, and congratulations to each and every participant. (Thanks especially to those who took it upon themselves to help "erase all signs of the GAAR" at the end of the event as committee members found themselves atten Story County awarded Squaw Creek Watershed management funds (Ames Tribune 12/1/2011), Six Watershed Management Authorities Funded to Mitigate Future Flooding (IDNR 11/17/2011), Rebuild Iowa Office: $10 Million in Watershed and Flood Mitigation Projects to Benefit Iowa (Iowa Flood Center 11/1/2010) >OutdoorsIowa.com for other upcoming events. Become a River Citizen at www.1mississippi.net INHF 30 Minutes For Conservation Challenge August 15 - Members of the Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition held a water sampling demonstration at Brookside Park. Food and discussion followed. Initial plans were for a community float jointly sponsored with Iowa Rivers Revival, JAX Outdoor Gear and a local resident, but in sharp contarst to August 2010, Squaw Creek was too low. I was recently asked to exchange links with a new website called Outdoor Blueprint. I like both the format of the site and the content they've begun to assemble. Please check it out! WORTH REPEATING: Charles City Whitewater Park on IPTV and in Iowa Momentum Endurance Sports Magazine. Approach to environment shifts under Branstad (Des Moines Register 8/20/2011) Activist group to file complaint against Branstad appointee (Laura Millsaps, Ames tribune 8/16/2011) Suit threatened against EPA over farm pollution (Laura Millsaps, Ames tribune 8/19/2011) Manure spill in Hamilton County kills more than 30,000 fish (Ames Tribune 8/10/2011) READ ABOUT Project AWARE at Larry Stone's Iowa, at John Pearson's Out and About and now at An AWARE Experience, the impressions of a first-time "aquatic garbage collector" and State Hygienic Laboratory communications intern Teddy Solberg. More photos at the DNR's flicker page. June - Skunk River Paddlers SPRING NEWSLETTER 2011 April 29 - IRR RIVER CURRENTS: A forum on revitalizing rivers was held at Chichaqua Bottoms, Polk County. April 13 - Comments from Mark Ackelson, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, about the film Losing Ground. The videos on the Aftermath Of The Storm page were recorded over Marshall County (east of Ames) following a couple of typical rain events in May of 2010. Data from the EWG report suggest that the total average erosion (summed over the nine years 2002 to 2010) exceeded 20 tons per acre on agricultural land in 730 townships (16.8 million acres), exceeded 50 tons per acre in 257 townships (5.9 million acres) and exceeded 100 tons per acre in 61 townships (1.4 million acres). These numbers are much higher than what has been considered to be an acceptable, or sustainable, loss. (More at www.iaenvironment.org) April 13 - Photos from an ISU Canoe & Kayak club trip to Whitebreast Creek, a tributary of the Des Moines River and Red Rock Lake in Marion County, illustrate the soil loss that is so typical accross Iowa. Most of Monroe County, and all of Whitebreast Creek, fall within the area that had been estimated to have soil losses at or below the statewide average estimate of five tons per acre per year. Gelb: Weakening water protections (By Marian Riggs Gelb, Ames Tribune 3/30/2011) - (Thanks to the Ames Tribune for providing the very best coverage of this story to date!) Overseeing Iowa's water - Proposed legislation removes programs from the DNR (Ames Tribune 3/18/2011);   Q&A: Iowa water legislation (Ames Tribune 3/18/2011) EXERCISE YOUR CITIZENSHIP! "Iowa legislators tell us their biggest need is to hear from their constituents. Legislators are public servants and cannot represent your views if you do not communicate with them. The Iowa Envoronmental Council's Action Alert system is designed to help you connect and communicate with Iowa's decision makers, and the Council's web pages, news bulletins and Action Alert center help you learn as little or as much as you want to learn about Iowa environmental bills and regulations being proposed or revised." Wednesdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm - ISU Canoe & Kayak Club Pool Sessions are held at the Forker Building pool on Wednesdays and Sundays while classes are in session. Who needs water: working on your kayak roll - a dry-land rolling DVD by ACA certified whitewater kayak instructor Piper Wall. Jan-Feb & April 2011 - IWC Whitewater Paddling Clinics at ISU's Forker Gym pool, and April Moving Water Clinics to be held on the Skunk. April 23 - The Annual SRP Spring Float, on the South Skunk in Story County. We'll probably meet at the Grove at 8ish & aim to be at the river around 9:00. May 1 - Story County Conservation Partner's Spring Festival - Volunteers needed to staff canoe rides! Paddle the COLUMBIA RIVER in a VOYAGEUR CANOE, as a member of the 2011 David Thompson Columbia Brigade! You can sign on for a day, a week, or for the duration. The invitation comes by way of Sharon Colht (Prairie State Canoeists) who participated in the 2008 event and is on the 2011 planning committee. March 26 - We had about eight folks show up at Sleepy Hollow for Stash the Trash. A few met for breakfast at the Grove Cafe and a few continued by canoe and kayak on to River Valley Park. Thanks, Cindy, for coordinating the effort ths year. January/February 2011 Skunk River Paddlers Update by Diane Lowry Minutes of the SRP Annual Meeting, 31 January 2011 Beauty and the beast: Squaw Creek a destructive force in worst of times, a beautiful resource in best of times By Erv Klaas, Special to The Tribune (12/24/2010) Local watershed projects improve and protect our streams - Streambank restoration, filter strips, buffer strips, rain gardens, bioretention cells, porous asphalt and more, on the City of Ames Smart Watersheds Stormwater Programs page. December 2010 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale A new IDNR River Projects website provides information about the many projects that the DNR River Program's staff are involved with, as well as water trail dedications and other events. One current project addresses water quality problems related to the Lake Delhi dam breach on the Maquoketa River. December 4 - Five paddlers braved a chilly north wind on the 2010 SRP Waffle Float. After a breakfast of waffles at the Iowa Arboretum we set off to paddle the South Skunk south of Ames from the 265th St Access to the new access at Hwy 210. Diane has posted a couple photos in her blog entry "Santas On The Skunk River - Annual SRPs Waffle Paddle". And check out fellow paddler John Pearson's new blog, "Out and About"! November 19 - DNR stocks rainbow trout at Ada Hayden - UPDATE 11/23/PM - The "Do Not Boat Over Net" portion of the sign has been covered over. You will of course have to raise your rudder or skeg before gliding (CAREFULLY) over the rope and buoys. The block net will be removed when the ice goes off the lake in the spring. Conservation wins! What's next? - Iowa's new Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. "Long-term Monitoring proves crucial in identifying problems in Story County" - in the Fall 2010 IOWATER Newsletter at www.iowater.net. November 2010 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale A New Stretch of River, Steve Lekwa's column, 10/7/2010 SQUAW CREEK retains Primary Contact Recreational Use (A1) Designation: New changes to Iowa's Water Quality Standards were approved at the October meeting of the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission. A portion of Squaw Creek (from it's confluence with Onion Creek to near the Boone/Hamilton County line) had been proposed for reclassification based on initial field assessments, but public comments submitted to the DNR supported the fact that primary contact recreational uses do exist. Portions of Indian Creek that had been targeted for reclassification will also retain the A1 Classification. Rule making Documents from the 3rd round (Batch 3) of stream assessments are on the IDNR's Use Assessment and Attainability Analysis page. October 17 - The Squaw Creek/IOWATER Fall Snapshot - A dozen dedicated volunteers sampled 32 sites in the Squaw Creek Watershed for the Fall IOWATER Snapshot. The lab results are back and are posted at www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html. Steve and I took a quick trip up to the Apostle Islands October 1-3 & found the fall colors at their peak. The lake was good to us too. See Apostle_Islands_Oct2010 October 7 - South Dakota Public Broadcasting aired footage from the 2010 South Dakota Challenge, which several area paddlers took part in. The video was aired during a segment called “Dakota Life”. October 2 - Another successful Skunk River Navy season ends. There are interesting stories behind these stories: Costs for oil leakage in Ames mounts (Iowa State Daily 9/30/2010) and Squaw Creek leak contained, estimate of damage still unknown (Ames News Online 10/7/2010) October 2010 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale September 12 - Thanks to all, the 2010/4th Annual GREAT AMES ADVENTURE RACE was another great success! The GAAR wouldn't work without the support of its enthsiastic volunteers. Race results and photos are up and you should be pleased to know that we'll be making a donation of $1000 to the Lincoln Way Chapter of the American Red Cross. You missed it!   :(   Embracing Rivers photographic essay exhibit. Robin Fortney's photo exhibit at the Story County Conservation Center ended on September 8th. September 2010 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale August 2010 - The EPA has recently approved the IDNR's 2008 Impaired Waters List, and has approved changes to the state water quality standards related to designated uses and Use Attainability Anaysis (UAAs). Thanks to those who have submitted comments during the UAA process. They do make a difference! August 2010 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale July 2010 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale June 2010 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale May 5 - John Craun Paddles Across Iowa for Red Rock's Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp. You can still join other SRP members in their suppport of the project (please mention that you're a Skunk River Paddler). April 2010 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale January 2010 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale December 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Do you know of a Trail Marker Tree in Story County or in Iowa? There is a tree with a similar shape near the mouth of Keigley Branch, and there's been speculation that the Anderson H-Tree may have been a marker tree of some sort. Ames City Council agrees on UV wastewater disinfection (Ames Tribune 11/18/09) John Pearson's Red Rock Reservoir end-to-end loop - Nov 11, 2009 Indian Summer at Story City (kayaks at play) - photos from James Keyes. See a brief update of some of 2009's water trail efforts at www.skunkriverpaddlers.org/grant.html November 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale October 10 - The IOWATER Squaw Creek Snapshot! Many thanks to the volunteers that braved the low temps and snowy forecast. We were able to sample 50 sites within the Squaw Creek Watershed. Bacteria results are back - see www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html. October 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale October 3 - The Skunk River Navy completed another successful year engaging ISU students and staff and a handful of community members - over five tons of trash and 245 volunteer days in three outings. Read more about the Navy in Admiral Colbert's Faculty Profile. Construction of a new accessible access and another record-sized Skunk River Navy made for a busy day at Sleepy Hollow (photos). Todd Burras wrote of the project in New boat ramp makes access to Skunk River easier for paddlers (Ames Tribune 9/25/09). Many thanks to Steve Lekwa and Carol Williams at Story County Conservation, to the IDNR's Rivers Program staff, and especially to Scott Hoskins and the ISU Student Chapter of the Association of General Contractors. Photos from the 2009 GAAR have been posted to www.greatamesadventurerace.org. Thanks to all for another great event! September 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale July 10 - Enjoy the Skunk River safely. Steve Lekwa's weekly nature column (7/10/09) July 9 - Adam completes his Yukon River Quest! Read his trip report at www.myriverquest.com. And consider a donation in his name to the American Cancer Society. July 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale June 29 - Dennis Weidemann gave an entertaining slide presentation about his book This Water Goes North. Colbert, students rescue stranded canoeist on biology field trip June 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Another big THANK YOU to the Squaw Creek Snapshot volunteers... The Spring Snapshot results can be found at www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html. The next Squaw Creek Snapshot will be held on Saturday October 10, though we'll be meeting to discuss the possibilty of more frequent snapshots of 10-12 select sites across the watershed. Ecology and economy dovetail in the Boone River Watershed Project - in the May/June 2009 issue of The Iowan magazine. State Water Trails Survey   Mimi Wagner is working with the DNR to develop a Statewide Water Trails Plan. Your thoughts and experiences will help shape the future of the new state Water Trails Program. The survey takes just 10-15 minutes to complete. Public comment period on proposed recreational use designations extended to May 20. There are 119 stream segments being recommended for a lower recreational use standard in this second round of assessments. It is important that you participate in the process if you have knowledge of recreational uses of these segments! May 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale APRIL 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale IOWATER Spring 2009 Newsletter now available online!   See "Restoring River Functions at Dam Sites" March 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Canoe, Kayak and Innertube Rentals Generate $5 million for Iowa's Economy - DNR News February 17, 2009 Along the Skunk - a look back at '08, the Water Trail Project and the Skunk River Paddlers February 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale A Public Open House was held January 27th to discuss proposed modifications to the low head dam at River Valley Park   Representatives from the City, the Iowa DNR and the Skunk River Paddlers were on hand to provide information and gather public input. See upcoming Ames 13th St dam improvements discussion. Defending Favorite Places - Stopping the Spread of Invasive Species. This documentary video is part of a campaign to bring all outdoors enthusiasts into the battle against both terrestrial and aquatic Invasive Species. The film Flow, a documentary about The World Water Crisis, is now available from the Ames Public Library. http://flowthefilm.com/takeaction Cold Water Boot Camp - a must-see video for early and late-season paddlers! January 2009 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Defending Favorite Places - Stopping the Spread of Invasive Species. This documentary video is part of a campaign to bring all outdoors enthusiasts into the battle against both terrestrial and aquatic Invasive Species. December 6 Waffle Float - Fortified against the cold with Dad's Belgium Waffles (from the Iowa Arboretum) - and with the wind at our backs, we paddled a 7 mile section of the Skunk below Ames. Thanks especially to Scott, Steve, Mary & Terry for making the drive to join us! December 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Modify Iowa's low-head dams - Ames Tribune Editorial 11/30/2008 Flying Kayak Hits School Bus, passed along on the new MRVP forum. Be sure your boats are adequately secured! Waste fishing line receptacles mentioned in Iowa Outdoors forum Novemebr 12 - SRN Volunteers top 51.7 tons! - in Steve Lekwa's NATURALLY SPEAKING column November 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale October 11 - THANKS ONCE AGAIN to the Squaw Creek Snapshot volunteers! The results are back. Data will be posted to the WATERSHED MAPS & DATA page at www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html as available. Race is on to bridge train tracks over Skunk River before winter By: Ed Rood, Special to The Tribune 10/11/2008 October 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Skunk River Navy lightens the river's load By Rashah McChesney — Daily Staff Writer 9/21/08 Experts: Ada Hayden Park lake could be healthier - Laura Millsaps (Ames Tribune 09/17/2008). Sept 15 - GAAR Committee presents gift to Red Cross - Members of the Skunk River Paddlers, Friends of Central Iowa Biking and Ames Running Club presented a gift of $500 to Kirk Brocker, the new Executive Director of the Lincoln Way Chapter of the American Red Cross. The '07 Great Ames Adventure Race was a joint effort between the paddlers and the Red Cross, so we were pleased to have the opportunity to extend that relationship. The August 31 event drew 85 individuals participating as either solo or team entries. Sept 14 - (College Creek) Clean Water Festival shares research - Laura Millsaps (Ames Tribune 09/16/2008) Sept 13 - Jan Thompson of Iowa State's Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management department led a tour of storm water management practices along College Creek and on the ISU campus. An Inside Iowa State article, Recycling the rain, also highlights storm water management on the ISU campus. The Naturalist, Des Moines Register (9/7/08) - a great article by Mike Kilen about our good friend John Pearson. Sept 3 - ISU chapter of Sigma Xi 'Science Café' explores extremes of Iowa flooding and rainfall. September 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale August 31 - CONGRATULATIONS GAAR Participants and THANK YOU to the GAAR Volunteers for a fantastic event! Race results are available at www.greatamesadventurerace.org. August 29 - "He's back", writes Todd Burras. On May 6th Adam set off on another adventure, the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. He walked into Canada on the 24th. See www.myriverquest.com. Council approves plan to modify low-head dam at River Valley Park By: Laura Millsaps, Ames Tribune 08/13/2008 (for background see Ames city council action form) August 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Minnesota and Wisconsin Osprey Relocation Going Well - Posted: July 22, 2008 - Follow links to Elk Rock Osprey cam! Must read - The Drowning Machines in Paddler Magazine Chad Pregracke seeking volunteers in Cedar Rapids area. Sign up at www.livinglandsandwaters.org. July 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale ISU AGC Students   coordinate rides and assist in Parkersburg Local Flood photos: Squaw Creek at Cold Water Golf Course and South Duff, SE 16th Street, Skunk at SE 16th, New SE 16th Access, South Skunk at I80 near Colfax, and from www.storycounty.com June 1-7 The Tacitus Hussey paddle trip June 5 Admiral Colbert, students rescue stranded canoeist on biology field trip June 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale The May 10 Squaw Creek Snapshot data is in. See www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html. Nessie returns to Ada Hayden Lake - See Research Project Continues at Ada Hayden Lake and www.adahaydenlakeresearch.org. May 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Kayaks at play Soper's Mill 4/16/08 May 15 at 8:30pm - The IPTV "Iowa Journal" program focuses on Iowa's aging and inadequate wastewater treatment facilities. Guests Susan Heathcote, Water Program Director with the Iowa Environmental Council, and Wayne Gieselman, Division Administrator of the Environmental Services Division of the IDNR. Who speaks for the rivers? - Dave Kraemer writes about the Iowa Rivers Revival Conference (Ames Tribune 04/10/2008) and about keynote speaker Kenny Salwey (04/11/2008) Remedies to Protect Water Quality at Ada Hayden Heritage Park By: Erv Klaas, Story County Soil and Water Conservation District (04/09/2008) April 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale The Pancake Paddle - Seven of us crowded in and around a booth at the Grove Cafe, and a few of us actually had the world-famous pancakes (the Iowa Arboretum breakfast having been rescheduled). Dave suggested paddling below Ames so as to minimize the potential for puncturing his "nylonhyde" kayak (see John's photos at www.riverstewards.org/pancakeweb08/). We all made the trip in one piece - this was a great time of year and flow (700 cfs at Hwy 30 gauge) to enjoy this portion of the Skunk River Water Trail! There are only a FEW 2008 PADDLE IOWA CALENDARS remaining! Pick one up at JAX Outdoor Gear or place an order by sending a check in the amount of $12 to "Paddle Iowa Calendar" - 2510 Pierce Avenue, Ames 50010. Proceeds from Paddle Iowa Calendar sales help support the projects and activities of the Skunk River Paddlers. We appreciate your support! March 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale EPA approves Iowa’s water quality standards Posted: February 14, 2008 - DES MOINES — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Iowa’s new water quality standards, adding protection to thousands of miles of Iowa streams and rivers... February 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale SRN - "The main product isn't the trash, it's the people who participate" Charles City Council seeks grants for riverfront projects By MARY PIEPER, Courier Lee News Service 1/24/08 Fish Beginning to Show Stress From Old-Fashioned Winter Posted to DNR News: January 24, 2008 January 2008 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale DNR seeks citizen input to help determine proper stream designations. There are currently 279 streams proposed to be downgraded to A2, incuding favorite paddling destinations such as the North Fork of the Maquoketa and Whitewater Creek, Buffalo Creek, the English River, and the North and Middle Rivers. See the "Stream Uses Outreach Project" at http://iowa.sierraclub.org/ for state and county maps of all proposed changes. For the streams that you've paddled or otherwise recreated on, have you seen people swim, fish, canoe or tube? Have you seen children playing, or observed ANY evidence of human use? There's a short survey form at the Sierra Club website and the DNR has a similar online survey form at www.iowadnr.com/water/standards/index.html. Please provide as much detail as possible (it's also important to note when nothing has been seen) - the DNR would like to have all available information for a stream be brought forward and considered in this process. The deadline for public comment on these changes HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JANUARY 2nd. (See the IOWATER Informational email for background information and additional links). River fans fear Iowa will make waters less safe By Perry Beeman • Register Staff Writer • December 24, 2007 THANK YOU to the 27 volunteers that participated in the IOWATER Squaw Creek Snapshot! We sampled 52 sites in the watershed, and in a steady drizzle. The results are in and the E coli readings were significantly higher than those of previous snapshots. See OCTOBER 2007 SNAPSHOT RESULTS or contact rick(~AT~)squawcreekwatershed.org for more information. December 2007 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Among several recent updates to the IWC website is a new 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. State panel suggests waterway cleaning plans A state panel unveiled a plan Wednesday to clean Iowa's waterways by offering an elaborate round of watershed assessments and creating a state council to address water issues. Des Moines Register, Thursday, November 29, 2007 DNR News - DNR Adds Watershed Projects to Note Soil and Water Conservation Week The DNR is recommending that the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) approve grants for ongoing efforts and six new watershed projects that will improve Iowa's streams, rivers and lakes. Posted: November 20, 2007 DNR - Zebra Mussels Found 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. November 2007 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Searching rivers for redemption "Kayaking down North America's waterways, Adam Brooks lost weight and found his soul"   By Mike Kilen, Register Staff Writer October 17, 2007 Story City dam 8/25/07 - Several of us have been playing at Story City at various levels (800-1100cfs at the Ames gauge), and it seems to offer something interesting at many different levels! (new photos) (old photos) Rivers soak up pollution from Iowa's aging sewers By Perry Beeman, Register Staff Writer 8/26/2007 Aug 18 - River Run Garbage Grab a big success! (photos) (summary) Clean Rivers Team - '07 photos Ames draft wastewater permit approved by council By: Luke Jennett 08/15/2007 Mill Artifact found near Hannum Dam - Ames Historical Society Newsletter article by Jim Graham. RIVERKEEPERS - A Des Moines Register Series by Mike Kilen, staff writer: Aug 5 - Iowa rivers receive flood of support, Chad Pregracke, The man who's leading the river cleanups   Aug 6 - A life-changing day on the water soothed Robin Fortney and she was hooked. (Slide Show)   Aug 8 - Native son returns to value Iowa's hushed, tame beauty August 1 - Story City dam conversion project completed! (photos) August 2007 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale July 27 - A new Yahoo Group, skrcatchrelease, advocates for catch and release of Smallmouth Bass on the South Skunk near Ames. "Hello, I'm a meteorological station." Have you met the "monster" on the south lake at Ada Hayden? Iowa State researchers are studying how nutrients and other pollutants from the lake’s boundaries become mixed with its interior. Real-time data, including wind speed and direction, water temperature, air temperature and relative humidity, will soon be available on a web site. The research is being funded by a National Science Foundation Grant. PROJECT AWARE PHOTOS, passed along by Nick! NEW GAAR PHOTOS: Prerace, Paddle, BikeRun, MooseLodge Adam began his Missouri River Journey on May 14th and returned July 7th with lots of great stories - see www.myriverquest.com! He reached KC on the weekend of June 30th, at the same time Dave, Travis & I were in town for the Gritty Fitty. But we were unaware, and missed him. Sorry Adam! PLEASE leave the Skunk for others to enjoy! That is, leave it BETTER than you found it! A month ago Todd Burras wrote in "State's anglers urged to clean up their act" about a DNR Press Release scolding fisherman for their habit of leaving behind beverage and bait containers, fishing line, tackle, and the assorted packaging from such items. The DNR Fisheries Bureau Chief had described anglers as "lazy" and "disrespectful lawbreakers", accusing them of being "the worst of the worst" of outdoor groups in cleaning up after themselves. He'll have no argument from those of us that routinely pick up after such people, but there's another outdoor group which by comparison makes fisherman look GOOD! Those folks who are out for a relaxing day of sunshine on the river, often floating on children's beach toys while enjoying adult beverages, who somehow find it acceptable to leave said beach toys, cans, bottles, and other trash behind - along the river and at the various access points. We're happy to see people out enjoying the river but we also hope that they will be responsible users, and that some of them at least will learn to appreciate the resource and help protect it. Please be responsible adults and properly dispose of your unwanted items! 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. 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: The timing is right for a public outreach campaign in support of the recreational uses made of Iowa's rivers and streams. The Use Attainability Assessment process can be heavily influenced by public input describing specific personal uses of the water resources and these survey results 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. (The DNR has posted a status list of current UAA's at www.iowadnr.com/water/files/uaa_log.pdf.)   Download the Sierra Club survey here. A fishable, swimmable, river Ames Tribune Editorial 06/28/2007 Groups get funding to install rain gardens By: Heidi Marttila-Losure 06/27/2007 Numbers Grow, So Does Trash on Project AWARE by Joe Wilkinson June 26, 2007 CONGRATS AND THANKS to all Great Ames Adventure Race participants and volunteers! Race results have been posted to the GAAR website. Be sure to congratulate Travis, Eric, Diane, Denny, Carolyn, Dave and Jim on their finishes, and all the GAAR volunteers and event organizers for their help in making it such a GREAT event! (Story and photos in the Ames Tribune) Tips for safe canoeing on rivers By: Steve Lekwa, Story County Conservation Director06/15/2007 State's anglers urged to clean up their act By: Todd Burras, Outdoors Editor 06/08/2007 Witnesses to climate change By: Laura Pieper 06/01/07. Ames High and ISU graduate Elizabeth Andre shared stories and pictures of the Global Warming 101 Baffin Island Expedition. Army National Guard airlifts out river junk Chinook helicopter hauls away huge chemical tank - By Perry Beeman, Register Staff Writer May 23, 2007. Anglers Trashing Shoreline is Major Problem Posted: May 22, 2007 to www.iowadnr.com Take steps to increase dam safety in Iowa Put up warning signs, build portage trails. Register Editorial Board May 17, 2007 Iowa's impaired waterways list adds 135 By: Charlotte Eby, Capitol News Service 05/02/2007   (Iowa Section 303(d) Impaired Waters Listings) Iowa River on "American Rivers" endangered list Charlotte Eby, Capitol News Service 04/17/2007 Rains Overwhelm Wastewater Systems Across Iowa Ames 4/27/07: Two lift stations have bypassed in the City of Ames. The Highway 30 East lift station began bypassing untreated wastewater at 8 a.m. Friday and is expected to end bypassing when the South Skunk River recedes. The lift station on Orchard Drive began bypassing Wednesday evening after heavy rainfall flooded the lift station causing a mechanical problem. The Orchard Drive bypass is expected to end Friday evening. The Ames wastewater treatment plant normally receives about 5.5 million gallons of wastewater per day to treat. Following heavy rains, the plant has been receiving about 30 million gallons per day. Reconnect with rivers, our great, untapped asset   By Richard Doak, Des Moines Register April 15, 2007 - "Iowans are rediscovering their rivers. It might be one of the best things to happen here in a long time." No news to us, but it's always great to see it in the paper! Great article. Matt Neznanski: Vacation on the river   Ames Tribune 02/22/2007 WAKING UP IOWA to the gift of it's rivers - Many are catching on to the idea   By David Kraemer, Ames Tribune 02/09/2007 Changes in water quality permit place stricter limits on Story City   By Megan Wahl, Ames Tribune 02/09/2007 February 2007 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale CITY OF BLAIRSBURG DISCHARGING WASTEWATER Jan 25, 2007 Ames and Story City wastewater disinfection update (BRIEFLY!) - The Ames Water Pollution Control (WPC) staff gave a presentation on this topic at the November 28th City Council meeting but no action was taken by council. It makes sense to obtain a new permit before beginning any plant improvements, as WPC staff recommends, but Ames has been operating under an expired NPDES permit since 1999. That 1994 permit, in it's original form, was contested by Ames with the eventual outcome being that the contested limits were removed. Current limits for ammonia and CBDO5 go back to a permit issued in 1986. It's long past time to remedy this situation. We need to ensure that a new NPDES permit is a priority for both Ames and the DNR in 2007, and lobby for the A1 designation. A Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) is currently being conducted to determine the stream designation, A1 or A2, and resulting standard for bacteria (a requirement under the new state water quality standards). The DNR's draft Recreational UAA Protocol explains this in detail and a template for submitting documentation of existing uses is available (email rick(~at~)skunkriverpaddlers.org). It should be noted that over the life of the plant Ames WPC staff have consistently and significantly exceeded permit requirements, and they acknowledge that disinfection will soon be required. - In regards to the Story City permit, there are some concerns with the current draft NPDES permit, but it appears that they will be required to disinfect again beginning in March 2007. Sustainable Natural Resource Funding Advisory Committee - Preliminary Sustainable Funding Report January 2007 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Water Magic, My First Paddle, Project AWARE 2007, and Liquid Highways to Adventure! Read about them all in the IOWATER Newsletter! 12/13/06 - Dave gave a ppt presentation of the Skunk River Water Trail project(s) to the Iowa DNR's Water Trails Advisory Committee at a meeting in Ames. There were several agenda items of special interest - a new DNR dam signage program and budget, a new DNR program to provide assistance with launch/landing construction, and a proposal for a voluntary alternative electronic registration system for canoes and kayaks. The electronic registration would cost slightly more than the current system but would have several advantages, among them being that the registration number would not have to be displayed. To receive regular updates from the water trails program send an email to "watertrails(~AT~)dnr.state.ia.us". 12/9/06 - Thanks to Adam and Becker Gravel for their time and donation of rock for the Story City project. And thanks to Manatt's Inc. for hauling the approximately 200 tons of rock to two stockpile areas near the dam - also as a donation! Bids for construction should be going out soon. Clean Rivers Team Update - In three public cleanup events the Clean Rivers Team logged more than 113 miles on the river. Total tallies included 98 tires and 5 appliances. More than a ton of metal was recycled! Can't reach "www.paddleiowa.org"? Technical difficulties have caused it to be unavailble at times. If you find this to be the case, try www.skunkriverpaddlers.org/paddleiowa or www.iowawhitewater.org/cip. Waffle Ph-Ph-Phloat Fotos! Mother Nature cooperated Dec 2nd by making the annual event a true winter paddling experience! Temps were in low 20's, and a 20+ mph breeze added to the effect. Part of the group opted to wash their waffles down with a beer in Polk City rather than fight the wind and whitecaps, and you can't fault them for having good sense! December 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale IOWATER_News_Nov_2006.pdf - Informational E-mail from Brian Soenen Skunk River Navy completes fall mission By: Steve Lekwa, Story County Conservation director 11/03/2006 - More on bacteria, and antibiotics, in the South Skunk November 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Should Ames disinfect? A letter to the Ames City Council. Fall 2006 Skunk River Navy Summary, a letter from Jim to SRN participants. Anglers, hunters could get burned by biofuels By: Bob Marshall, Special to The Tribune 10/20/2006 E. coli levels in Skunk River unsafe in 2000 By: Jeff Raasch, Ames Tribune 10/20/2006 Water woes? By: Jeff Raasch, The Tribune 10/21/2006 October Squaw Creek Snapshot data:   IOWATER_UHL_data_Oct_2006.pdf,   E. coli results_map.jpg,   insetmap.jpg,   UHL_Results.pdf. October 14th Squaw Creek Snapshot - Over 30 volunteers, including 5 paddlers, participated in the first ever Squaw Creek IOWATER Snapshot! We sampled 45 sites in the watershed, from Hwy 175 near Stratford to South Duff Ave in Ames. Snapshots provide a glimpse of an entire watershed at one point in time and can help to identify the source of elevated readings recorded during regular sampling. Snapshot events also help to increase public awareness and involve the local community in water quality issues. Photos of the event are at www.squawcreekwatershed.org. Photos from the 2006 Grove to Grove Lower Wapsipinicon River Cleanup Project - Nearly 6 Tons of trash removed by 25 Wapsi River Cleanup Volunteers! October 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Newly built trail lets travelers portage around deadly spot in river 9/25/06 (photos) Johnston acts to reduce pollution from runoff (Ames also has a storm water quality management program, a requirement under the EPA's NPDES program) September 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale August 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Adam made it! (No surprise there) Check www.myriverquest.com for the latest. July 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Project AWARE Volunteers look for trash along the Iowa River, Iowa City Press-Citizen, June 19. Watch for further reports at www.iowaprojectaware.com The new DNR Land Ownership Guide for Watershed Cleanups provides a good explanation of your rights (and responsibilties) on Iowa's Waterways. If you don't already understand the terms "meandered" and "non-meandered", "navigable" and "activities incidental to navigation", you should take a look! June 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Photos by Don and John from the May 20 IWC Clean Rivers Team Raccoon River Clean-up May 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Skunk River Navy receives the 2005 Governor's Iowa Environmental Excellence Award - also http://www.las.iastate.edu/newnews/srnaward.shtml Public Float on Squaw Creek   We had 20 boats (26 paddlers) on Squaw Creek April 9th. Thanks to ISU Rec Services and JAX Outdoor Gear for the boats, and to everyone that helped and participated. April 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Panel won't block new pollution limits - DM Register 3/13/2006   (more on Iowa Water Quality from the Des Moines Register) Paddle Iowa Calendars still available! Help support our efforts to enhance paddling on the South Skunk and throughout Iowa. Cost is $10, or $12 w/ shipping (contact rick or greg @ skunkriverpaddlers.org). March 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale January 2006 Minutes from Annual Meeting February 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale New - Check out Adam's "River Quest" website at   www.myriverquest.com January 2006 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale December 18th Des Moines Register Editorial Adopt stricter standards for Iowa waters December 2005 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale 2005 River Access Workday totals - Over 40 volunteers, including scouts and the Skunk River Navy, contributed 350 hours of labor towards our grant match! Many thanks to these volunteers as well as to SCC staff, the County Engineer and Road Dept, US Filter, Manatt's, First Class Signs, Munn Lumber, and to the local grocers and restaurants that sustained the volunteers. Beverages and food were donated by Cub Foods, Fareway, Hy-Vee Lincoln Center, Hy-Vee West, Wheatsfield, Dutch Oven Bakery, Flying Burrito, Subway (Orion Dr) and Casey's (Gilbert) and the Grove Cafe. We appreciate their contributions and support. November 2005 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale The SRN 2005 season also ended October 8th. From the summary by Jim Colbert: 142 person-days of service on roughly 6 miles of the Skunk and Squaw produced over 9,980 lbs of trash! An additional cleanup of a ravine near the Skunk produced over five pickup loads of trash and appliances. October 2005 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Rain-Soaked Volunteers Clean Upper Iowa River in the IA DNR news. Good Samaritan pulls nearly 100 tires from Des Moines River! - Read about fellow CIP member Don Propst in the September 13th Des Moines Register article "Officer suspects trouble, catches man doing good" IA DNR Director Jeff Vonk writes about AWARE, river trash, and water trails in the Iowa Conservationist. September 2005 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale August Apostle Islands photos from Scott At their August 15 meeting the Environmental Protection Commission approved a Notice of Intended Action which proposes changes to the state water quality standards. The changes would bring the state into compliance with EPA requirements under the federal Clean Water Act, including the "rebuttable presumption" of "Fishable/Swimmable" on all lakes and perennial streams. We can and should voice our support for these changes. More information at Big Changes on the PaddlingIowa.com forum August 13 - We completed seven more stairs at the Anderson Canoe Access and have just a couple more to go to finish that portion of the project. They look pretty good & have already drawn some compliments! August 2005 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale White Rock...my aching arms, legs and feet - report from the PaddlingIowa.com forum and in the Coon Rapids Enterprise Reports from the IWC Swiftwater Rescue Clinic - on the PaddlingIowa.com forum Report on July 17 Squaw Creek Paddle from Jim Colbert. The Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition had a good turnout & successful Public Float on Squaw Creek. With the creek "raging" at 26 cfs, it took (only) 2 1/2 - 3 hours to paddle from Brookside to the Youth Sports Complex. We were out of the canoes quite a lot, walking shallow riffles, but the water was clear, and the streambed sandy (or gravel). What better way to spend a hot July afternoon? July 2005 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale Eaglets could fly on the Fourth - Ames Tribune 07/01/2005 Manatt's builds portage as tribute to one of their own - Ames Tribune 06/28/2005 and Low-head dams must be removed, Ames Tribune 07/05/2005 Little Sioux Shines after Weeklong River Cleanup - Project AWARE Press Release! and Project AWARE finds many problems in the Little Sioux River - by Jim Colbert June 2 - IWC members meet at River Valley Park in Ames (photos) SCC Canoe Raffle & Ames eaglet update - Ames Tribune June 2005 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale May 28 - JAX Outdoor Gear will sponsor a canoe and kayak demonstration from noon to 4pm at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Representatives from Mad River Canoe and Wilderness Systems will be on hand. For more information, call Marshall Toms at 292-2276. May 23 - New legislation signed by Vilsack May 21 - Six area paddlers have a succesful 27+ mile round trip to the caves on Devils Island, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (photos) May 14 - Four stalwart paddlers met on a wind-chilly Saturday morning to place a new "DAM AHEAD" sign near the US Filter Dam. Maybe it was just as well that Manatt's couldn't be there, because the river (at 2150 cfs) would have somewhat limited what they intend to do. We did cut some small trees and brush, and cleared the area of an historic bridge abutment. We'll plan to finish up after Manatt's has reshaped the bank and portage path. And we'll get back to finish up at Askew (2430 cfs). (I was curious & had to see how it looked!   - rd) May 7 - We had 19 paddlers on the annual Skunk River Float! Friday night rains brought the river up to a peak of 430cfs at mid-day, but the weather cooperated for us & local historian Jim Graham shared some of his knowledge of the Soper's and Hannum's Mill sites. It was a great day to be out! Scott has shared a few photos at Skunk River - May 2005.   (See Skunk River Water Trail) Eaglets spotted along South Skunk River Ames Tribune 5/2/05 May 2005 Skunk River Paddlers Monthly Update by Greg Vitale May 1 - Eight paddlers assisted well over 50 guests into canoes at the SCC Partners Spring Festival. We were surprised by the turnout, given the cold, wintery conditions. Don, Travis, and Dan were giving rides most of the afternoon - those people were wise to accept the help! Thanks to all! April 23 - As part of the annual Stash the Trash event, seven paddlers spent part of their Saturday morning cleaning up our adopted park, Sleepy Hollow. While at the dam we discussed options for portage paths and dam modifications. (photo) As a result of the tragic death of Tom Manatt at the US Filter dam, we've been asked to complete our work there as soon as possible. Manatt's Inc will assist in making improvements to the portage path and we'll be installing warning and portage signs. The work will be scheduled for May 14th.   Dave wrote a thoughtful column about Tom's death in the April 19th Ames Tribune, and Nate has posted it to the Paddling Iowa forum. WAPSI PHOTOS BY JOHN!   John wrote: Wow! What a fabulous time it was paddling with all of you. To you wonderful women from Illinois, I would like to say "ROCK ON!" It was so great paddling with you! Thanks for helping clean our rivers, too!   More comments from Sandy Mid April 2005 Skunk River Paddlers Update by Greg Vitale April Water Trail workday - Askew Bridge Work Report by Greg Vitale   Work days are scheduled for the second Saturday of each month through October. Locations to be announced. Squaw Creek float - On Sunday April 10th the Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition co-sponsored a public float on Squaw Creek. JAX Outdoor & ISU Outdoor Rec made boats available free of charge, and over 35 people floated approximately 5 miles from Veenker Golf Course to the Youth Sports Complex. The purpose of the float was simply to get people out on Squaw Creek to have fun, and thanks to the cooperation and assistance of everyone involved, the event was a great success! (We anticipate sponsoring another on July 2nd or 3rd)   (Canoe Trip Flier) 3/2/2005 Upcoming March Events & February's Recap, by Greg Vitale Impaired waters - What does that mean? by Steve Lekwa, Story County Conservation Director (Ames Tribune 3/04/05) February Water Trail workday - 2/19/05 GREAT DAY! Much was accomplished on this first water trail workday, thanks to the many volunteers that participated. The reward for some of us was an early season float, Soper's to Sleepy Hollow (photos).   Story County Conservation Director Steve Lekwa wrote of the accomplishments in Pining to get outdoors (Ames Tribune February 25, 2005). Water Trail workdays will be held throughout 2005 on the second Saturday of each month (May - October), as part of the "match" for the Federal Trails Grant awarded to Story County Conservation. Paddlers will meet at Sleepy Hollow for a clean-up of our Adopted Park before traveling to the worksite. Plan to join us for an early breakfast at the Grove Cafe, 124 Main, downtown Ames. Pohl State Preserve workdays   Work days will take place at the Pohl (High School) Prairie every Saturday throughout March, plus April 16th and 23rd beginning at 9am, weather permitting. Volunteers will be removing buckthorn and honeysuckle and burning brush piles. Contact Erv Klaas, (515) 233-3327, eklaas(~AT~)iastate.edu. Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition Annual Meeting, 6:30pm Monday March 21st, Ames Public Library Minutes from the Skunk River Paddlers 2005 Annual Meeting 2/4/2005 SRP Monthly Update, by Greg Vitale PaddlingIowa.com   January 1st marked the launch of an all new community website for Iowa paddlers.   Check out this new project by Nate Hoogeveen and Brian Stroner. (And don't miss Waterwatch: Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation & other great articles in The Iowa Paddler)! Admiral in charge   Jim Colbert recently was named the 2004 recipient of the Olav Smedal Conservation Award 2005 Paddle Iowa Calendar   Still available in limited quantities - the Paddle Iowa Calendar featuring photos of Iowa streams and all the 2005 Iowa paddling events we could predict. Proceeds will help fund river-related recreation and conservation projects. Contact greg or rick(~AT~)skunkriverpaddlers.org. Iowa's Rivers Cookbook   The Iowa Whitewater Coalition's cookbook is available at CanoeSport Outfitters, JAX Outdoor Gear, and from IWC members. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be used for river-related recreation and conservation projects in Iowa. Iowa Master Conservationist Program: Story County Conservation and Story County Extension will again sponsor a Master Conservationist Program, beginning Tuesday April 26th at 6pm. The Iowa Master Conservationist Program was developed by Story County Conservation in 1997 for citizens interested in the sustainability of Iowa's natural resources and becoming better stewards of Iowa's resources. Register now - you'll be glad you did it! The Iowan   The September/October 2004 issue features great articles by Nate Hoogeveen and Larry Stone on The State of Iowa's Water. Pick up a copy or subscribe at the above link. NEW: The Iowa Bicycle Coalition, INHF expands Upper Iowa River protection Project AWARE "Fair Catch" sculpture story by Bob Modersohn, Des Moines Register. Skunk Navy dives for trash, by Mike Kilen, Des Moines Register Keeping water clean, by Matt Neznanski, Ames Tribune   Protecting Ada Hayden Lake Paddling Iowa by Nate Hoogeveen   This must-have guidebook is available at CanoeSport Outfitters and at JAX/Ames Outdoor Gear. Packed with 96 top trips, detailed maps, and tons of useful information and resources, you'll need only this book and a road map to begin exploring Iowa's wild stream corridors. The ads finally became too much and SRP has moved to a paid web-host. You'll see a few changes here and may find links that take you back to the old site (or nowhere at all). Consider it a work in progress.   Be sure to check out the "hotspot" links in the new Rivers and Lakes map! (also a work in progress) Cool sites: Portrait of Iowa's Vegetation Communities, Iowa Gap Analysis www.skunkriverpaddlers.org