In uncharted waters, it is extra important to proceed cautiously and carefully. Please practice social distancing and give fellow paddlers and boaters extra space when loading and unloading.
A few developments have been underway since the last update:
On April 16, the Black Hawk County Conservation Board approved their role as the sponsor for the Cedar River and Black Hawk Creek Water Trails in Black Hawk County. Once all planning is complete, County Conservation staff will coordinate with the Iowa DNR on a variety of water trails maintenance responsibilities.
The water trails website has a fresh new look. The menu now appears on the left side of the computer screen to make navigating the Water Trails Master Plan much simpler. What do you think?
In Hudson, the City constructed a new canoe/kayak ramp at Franck Park (pictured above). This replaces the steep, narrow path walking path closer to the highway. While the new ramp looks very nice and welcoming, this section of Black Hawk Creek has a development classification of “wilderness” and is the most challenging segment pending State-designation in the county. Proceed with caution.
Mile markers along the Cedar River have been recalculated by DNR staff from the Iowa River to Mitchell County. This means many of the numbers you’ve seen on maps will change. For example, Access 158 will now be Access 159. These changes ensure that mile numbers are continuous and accurate from county to county.
Updates will be more frequent in the coming months as the final planning efforts ramp up! The Master Plan is expected to be completed by June 30, and several pages on this website will also be updated over the coming weeks.
Cedar Valley Water Trails 
My nephew and I finished kayaking from Blooming Prairie Minnesota to the Mississippi River last year. The Cedar River is a underutilized treasure. Well worth the small investment to make people aware of this gem.
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