The Turkey River Water Trail
A shining example of a collaboration gone right
By Rod Marlatt
Photos: Northeast Iowa RC&D
The Turkey River flows through Northeast Iowa in a place known as the “Driftless Area.” It is unique to the Midwest as it was not glaciated and flattened by the last ice age. The topography varies from gently rolling hills to steep valleys framed by palisading limestone bluffs.
For generations, the Turkey River, with its wooden bluffs, fertile lowlands, and wild game populations, has served as a cultural melting pot. Prehistoric archaeological sites of the Archaic and Woodland tribes exist in the Turkey River Valley, with the most notable being a group of Woodland mounds at the Turkey River Mounds State Preserve above the confluence of the Turkey and Mississippi rivers.
In the 1700s, the French Fur Trade brought many of the first Europeans to the area, including those of Spanish and French descent. These settlers traded with the historic Native American tribes of the Ioway, HoChonk, Sauk, and Meskwaki.
The Turkey River and its surrounding habitat are teeming with fish and wildlife. A total of 74 species of fish have been documented in the watershed. Primary game fish include smallmouth bass, rock bass, and walleye. Other game fish that are occasionally caught include northern pike, white bass, and three species of trout. The valley also provides habitat for diverse wildlife. It is home to several raptor species, including bald eagles and the less-common red-shouldered hawks. During the summertime, be on the lookout for these raptors soaring on warm-air thermals above the river. Great blue herons and belted kingfishers are often heard and seen by paddlers. The surrounding forests contain a plethora of species, including deer, turkey, and squirrels. Beavers, muskrats, and river otters can often be seen swimming as well.
A Potential For Expansion
Because of this, the river offers a recreational paddling and water-sports experience unique to most of the rivers in the upper Midwest. The water ebbs and flows from a relaxing current to some challenging, but doable, whitewater experiences. While these rapids provide excitement, they are not beyond the skill set of most paddlers.
With the advent and transformation of paddle sports from almost exclusively canoes to kayaks, the demand for quality paddling experiences has exploded. It is no coincidence that the economic-development community realized the potential for expansion if a coordinated water trail were established.
In 2011, the Turkey River Water Trail was begun under the auspices of the Fayette and Clayton County Conservation Boards in coordination with the requirements of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Water Trails Program. This 98-mile water trail begins at the Little Turkey River at Gouldsburg Park in Fayette County, merges with the Turkey River near Eldorado, and continues southeast through Fayette and Clayton counties towards the Mississippi River.
The water trail is divided into seven different—but connected—segments. These floats are all signed with access numbers and mileage information. There are 20 well-maintained accesses along the entire route. The water trail also provides well-located camping, lodging, dining, and shopping opportunities along the way. Paddlers can plan day trips or extended excursions based on their time frames, skill sets, and interests.
An accompanying water-trail map and guide are available at convenience stores, motels, and visitor centers in the area, or by visiting www.turkeyrivercorridor.com.
A Common Goal
Three of the primary communities along the water trail, Clermont, Elgin, and Elkader, were struggling to maintain their economic base. They did, however, realize their primary economy could be and likely already was centered around recreation on the Turkey River, so the communities formed the Turkey River Recreational Corridor (TRRC).
The TRRC is now a governmental subdivision through a 28E agreement with a board of directors, which includes recreation professionals, boards of supervisors, city council representatives, and economic development directors. This collaboration of recreational infrastructure and marketing is unique and has indeed spurred and maintained the business and economic health of these communities and counties. It is a prime example of the business, governmental, and recreational world uniting for a common cause. This collaboration has provided needed quality of life and economic stability for Northeast Iowa.
For more information, contact the TRRC at (563) 264-5248 or turkeyrivercorrdor@gmail.com.
Rod Marlatt is the Director of the Fayette County Conservation Board in Iowa. Reach him at fayetteccb@hawkeyetel.com.