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Strategy and Plan of Action for The Water Trails Community

Planning Resources to Consider in Planning New Water Trails

Water trails are a unique form of recreation – in its simplest form it consists of floating with minor balance and navigation. However, the ability to reach the water’s edge is probably one of the largest obstacles to participation.

This plan lays out multiple strategies for enhancing Iowa’s system of state-designated water trails. Some suggest new trail routes. Many strategies simply enhance the use of existing trails for more people while conserving the resources—the soil, water, and vegetation—that make our experience possible. A few strategies recommend new experience types, such as remote, multi-day trips. Most paddlers in Iowa who provided input told us the only reason they don’t paddle more frequently is limited time. The water trails program would like to change that by supporting the development of more well-designed trails throughout the state to decrease travel time. We’ve also developed several standardized features for State designated water trails in response to paddler and water trail manager support. These features include hazard warning and wayfinding signage as well as access and parking design and will increase water trail user satisfaction and expectations without becoming a burden to water trail developers and managers.

Attached document published January 2014