County backs Grand River Water Trail extension

Union County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Monday a letter of support of extending the Grand River Water Trail into the county.

Brooke Whitehouse from the Southern Iowa Resource and Conservation Development said the letter is part of the early steps to acquire planning assistance from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. A designated water trail will get promotional material and signage in the area.

“It will help improve recreational opportunities in the county,” Whitehouse said. “A person in a canoe or kayak can go down the Grand River. It will have a tourism effect.”

Rivers that are navigable in Iowa are considered public property.

The established Grand River Water Trail starts about 2 miles north of the Decatur County town of Grand River and stops at the Davis City Park, also in Decatur County. The trail is approximately 23 miles with six access points along the way. In Union County, Whitehouse said the trail will be extended from where the river intersects with U.S. Highway 34, east of Creston, south.

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, “Water trails are recreational corridors and routes on rivers and lakes that provide a unique experience for canoeists and kayakers and provide adequate access points that can be used for planning your trips at various lengths and difficulty.

A water trail may also provide access to riverside campgrounds, primitive campsites, amenities such as shelters and restrooms in city, county or state parks. A water trail will have a detailed map showing access points and river mileage and may even provide information on history and area culture, wildlife viewing opportunities and more.

They can help re-connect Iowans to their history, heritage, geology and wildlife. A water trail promotes an ethic of caring that makes us more aware of our surroundings and environment and can be thought of as educational venues.

Whether they are used for relaxation, health and fitness, education or just for spending time with family, water trails provide in-state destinations for recreational river users that can even help boost local economies.”

Other parts of the state have established water trails. The Middle River Trail starts in eastern Adair County at the Middle River Forest County Park and lasts about 45 river miles. The trail stops at the Holliwell Covered Bridge located approximately 3.5 miles southeast of Winterset.

The Iowa River Trail starts in Iowa City and goes through the towns of Hills, Columbus Junction, Wapello and Oakville before ending at the Mississippi River. The trail is 72 miles. There are other water trails. Whitehouse said she will inform the county on any updates about the Grand River Water Trail proposal.

Union County Engineer Keith Wieland wondered how the county would react if the Grand River Water Trail extension becomes more popular than imagined.

“Could low volume roads be closed to benefit the trail,” he said. He added the county should consider all efforts to improve and increase access points to the river.