Proposed Whitewater Course
Words in BLUE are links.

Project Update: 4-29-05
This past year has seen many new developments...

  • Waterloo AND Cedar Falls have decided to combine forces and are paying to have McLaughlin Rincon Ltd. from Colorado on site for a preliminary feasibility study. This is due to intensive work and networking by Peter, Nate, Matt Purdy, INRCOG, and others. The current plan is to improve the Clay Hole in Cedar Falls, a boat chute with a few drops through the dam in Waterloo, a water trail on the Cedar in Black Hawk Co, signage, shoreline improvemets, etc.
  • There are several listings for Iowa on the American Whitewater site.
  • Peter Komendoski is the new President for the Prairie Rapids Paddlers.
  • PRP and the IWC are getting more organized with meetings, paddle trips, etc.

Project Update: 2004
Though updates have been few and far between the last year, many of us have been behind the scenes promoting whitewater. This year I hope to explore more whitewater locations in Iowa and post the info to the American Whitewater site (awa.org).

  • Gerry R. traveled to ND, SD, & MN researching conversions of low-head dams into boatable - safe structures.
  • Nate H. finalized his paddling guidebook to Iowa which will be available in mid Feb. 04
  • Local paddling clubs are still promoting whitewater in their communities.
  • ...and we've all been logging thousands of miles in pursuit of quality whitewater that we know can be possible in Iowa. I drove 10,000 miles in 2003 for paddling. I know many of you have me beat.

Project Update: 2003
Thanks to Gerry Rowland for his tireless efforts in researching and putting together a fact sheet for "safing" low-head dams. View it Here  &  More Here.

Project Update: 11-18-02
Van Buren County's successful Water Trails grant application - View it Here

Project Update: 10-15-02
We have asked the Army Corps to table our application until a more exhaustive and EXPENSIVE study is completed. They claim there is insufficient information for them to approve the application. They say our engineer (who used the Corps' HecRas program for the flow study) hasn't provided enough detail for them and they're unwilling to help or explain what it is they'd like to see. Our tax $$$ at work! The good news is, Cedar Falls formally included the project in their Vision Iowa Plan.

Cedar Rapids is quickly moving ahead with its Extreme Sports Park.  This plan includes a whitewater course, mountain bike and jogging trails, and acres upon acres of other outdoor amenities. Please email their Chamber with your support.

Des Moines is entertaining river improvements that could include a whitewater feature and/or boat chutes and portage trails. This is in part due to a recent fatality at the Scott Ave. dam. The family of Steven Nourse and local paddlers have petitioned the City to "drown proof" the dams. In the least to make them safer for paddlers

We WILL have whitewater in the state!

Project Update -3-22-02
A Cedar Falls resident (who wishes to remain anonymous) has offered to help fund the whitewater design. Site surveys and water flow information have been sent to an engineer specializing in whitewater features. He will design a single feature, maybe two, and model the flow to make sure it won't negatively impact the 100 year flood levels. Once that is done, we'll submit the joint application to the DNR for approval.
Project Update -3-18-02
Waverly publicly discussed the possibility of creating a whitewater feature. The news article can be found  here.
Project Update - 3-13-02
We presented a plan to the Butler County Conservation Board about re-arranging the boulders in the washed-out weir at Camp Comfort (Shell Rock River). They will be discussing the issue further.
Project Update - 2-25-02
Today, we met with officials from the DNR, Cities of Waterloo and Cedar Falls, and Iowa State Extension Service to discuss the whitewater plans. The DNR has indicated the project is possible and suggested we start small, build support and progress from there.
Project Update - 12-12--01
On Dec. 6th we made a presentation at a town meeting in Shell Rock. We have quite a bit of citizen support, see the courier article . There are still some concerns that need to be addressed, like: possible bank erosion, paddler/land owner (fisherman, citezen) relations, cost, DNR/Army Corp. approval. These are all issues that can be easily resolved.
Project Update - 11-27--01
Earlier this month we met with Waterloo Mayor John Rooff to discuss the project. He was very interested and set up a special meeting for us with the Leisure Service's Director, Paul Huting and the Engineer's Office. This meeting took place at the river to view the proposed site . In January we meet with the River Front Committee for further discussions.

A meeting has been set for Dec. 6th in Shell Rock. Mayor Larry Young and members of the Angler's Assoc. will meet with us to discuss the proposal for their dam .

Project Update - 10-6--01
We have stayed in contact with City Officials...please email them and express your support. We reminded the Vision Iowa Board at a recent town meeting in Waterloo not to forget the folks who like to recreate ON the water...not merely adjacent to it. We also gave Waterloo Mayor, John Rooff a condensed copy of our proposal.

Waterloo and Shell Rock are our hottest prospects right now. Having a feature in both communities would be ideal for times when the water levels are fluctuating wildly...and if one spot is full of boaters the other might be open.

Project Update - 8-27-01
We need help...flow studies must be done along with engineered designs. Any engineers out there willing to help - please call. We will assist you as much as possible.

We made a presentation to the Shell Rock, IA City Council about modifying a portion of their dam to create a boat chute and play hole. They are interested and will discuss the project further.

Camp Comfort on the Shell Rock River has a broken out weir of large boulders that could easily be turned into a fantastic play spot. There's a camp grounds and picnic area adjacent to the site. We will be contacting the County concerning the idea.

The Waterloo Leisure Services Board invited us to give a presentation and were receptive. They will be taking our information to the City for further input. Currently the 6th St. dam has a wide wave to surf and pull tricks on.

Another city with a dam and power generator is looking for good ideas for planned reconstruction. Maybe they'll end up with a wave like "Energizer". We'll be passing along our ideas to them and keep you all updated.

Project Update - 3-17-01
    We're kicking it up a notch! If you want to see this project happen in CF, call &/or email the people listed on this page and express your support!!!

Cedar Falls Mayor, Jon Crews,
Councilman Robert Murphy, Cedar Valley Economic Development Corp

Kim Burger, Executive Director
Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau
10 Main Street - Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Phone: 319-268-4266 - Phone: 800-845-1955 - Fax: 319-277-4325


    We received a reply back from the DNR. It passed preliminary muster...they advised us how to proceed from this point. At least they didn't say NO!
    We're putting together a narrated, 10 minute Power Point presentation on CD rom to pass out to the community leaders. We hope they'll use it to advance the project.
    Some people are afraid of this idea...for whatever reason they're afraid. We have an alternate plan...There's a temporary-water-filled inflatable dam system in various lengths and diameters available. We can use these as diversion dams to capture enough flow and direct it over an obstacle or two for a temporary play hole. DNR's across the country are allowing farmers, municipalities, etc to use these for various purposes. They can be installed and removed quickly and easily.
    One thing's for certain...I've seen a lot of similar proposals in the midwest while researching this on the net. In two years you will no longer have to drive 8 or 9 hours to find suitable whitewater. Either we'll have it in Cedar Falls or a community or water park within 2 hours will have it. I'd sure like to see it here though.

Project Update - 2-25-01
    Momentum continues and feedback is 95% positive. We're still awaiting word from the DNR and Army Corps of Engineers. We made a short presentation to the Cedar Falls Tourism Bureau who is scheduling a "town meeting" for concerned groups or individuals.

    Other cities have expressed interest in the project and we hope to present our information to them in the near future. One of these communities has the perfect set-up for a couple play holes, rock climbing and an ice climbing wall (like Ouray, CO).

Email us with your words of support, questions or concerns at sweliver@home.com

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