Author: Brad Crawford

By Posted on Posted in Organization

As an Iowa Great Place, The Turkey River Corridor is unique in its geographic size and potential. It truly is a regional great place. The communities of Clermont, Elgin and Elkader in Fayette and Clayton Counties are linked by the special, scenic beauty of the Turkey River corridor. Visitors relish in the abundance of wooded hills and rich rolling plains, streams and rivers, diverse wildlife and recreational opportunities.… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Fishing

By Brian Button, Gary Siegwarth and Greg Simmons
Illustrations by Studio Z
Printed in Iowa Outdoors, May/June 2010
Download this Magazine Article as a PDF

Dams tend to be located on rocky bedrock areas in towns, creating convenient fishing access. Use these tips for other rivers with dams, too. Fisheries biologists say these easy-to-fish locations are good, but dispel the myth they are the best locations.… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Water Sampling

By Robert D. Libra

Adapted from Iowa Geology 1995, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

“My uncle Earl’s dream was to find a spring large enough to rear more trout. … In late fall of 1937, my husband Otto went to look at Big Spring. He was awed by its size and called Earl; he too was amazed. … The spring is located at the base of a big bluff, about 550 feet from the Turkey River.… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Uncategorized

By Mike Van Sickle, Fayette County Union

Countless visitors to Echo Valley State Park near West Union spend their summer days strolling along the Echo Valley Environmental Nature Trail (EVENT) or fishing for trout along the scenic banks of Otter Creek.

While already synonymous with the beauty found throughout northeast Iowa, a large portion of Otter Creek and the surrounding area could become even more environmentally sound.… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Event, Water Trail

What’s Project AWARE? Think RAGBRAI, but with a splash of ecotourism, a focus on river cleanup, and a whole lot of fun!

Little Turkey, Turkey & Volga Rivers (July 9-16, 2011)

  • River Miles: 88 miles
  • Participants: 429
  • Sponsors: 104
  • Trash Recycled: 96% (62,082 lbs)
  • Total Trash Removed: 64,722 lbs (32 Tons)
Visit the Project AWARE website to find out more about the project and learn where it will take place in 2012!
… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Water Trail

ELGIN — The Turkey River Water Trail, stretching 98 miles from Gouldsburg Park to the Mississippi River, officially opened Wednesday with a dedication ceremony at Gilbertson Park.

The trail, featuring 21 access points and 250 signs, will make one of Iowa’s most scenic and popular streams more accessible to the public, said Todd Robertson, river programs outreach coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources.… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Water Sampling

IOWATER, Iowa’s statewide volunteer water quality monitoring program, will host an Introductory IOWATER workshop at the Gilbertson Nature Center located in Elgin, Iowa on Saturday, August 13, 2011. During the workshop classroom instruction will be combined with hands-on training as participants learn how to monitor and assess the quality of their local streams, rivers, and lakes.

Related Images:… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Water Trail
Eight dam warning signs were recently placed above and below the Clermont Dam, and over the coming weeks, more than 200 additional signs will be placed along the 98-mile water trail from Fayette County's Gouldsburg Park to the Mississippi River. The map and new wayfinding signage will make it easier for river users to plan their trips, and on-water navigational signage (on bridges and at each river access point) will create a safer and more enjoyable experience.

By Posted on Posted in Flood Mitigation, Water Sampling Tagged with

Two Eleven new bridge sensors, which use sonar to detect the height of water under a bridge and automatically relay that information over the cell phone network, have been installed on the Turkey and Volga Rivers (also Crane Creek, Roberts Creek, Little Turkey RIver, and Otter Creek). The sensors were built by students at the Iowa Flood Center at the University of Iowa toprovide real-time stage data that can be used by emergency personnel in Clayton and Fayettte counties.… Read more ›