Pick-n-Paddle removes trash from Iowa River

On Saturday, June 26, 12 water quality heroes and four boats came out to help make the Iowa River safer for wildlife and people. The forecast for high wind and thunderstorms turned Louisa County Conservation’s Pick-n-Paddle into a Pick-n-Motorboat.

The Izaak Walton League joined forces with other heroes from Louisa County Conservation and the USFWS to help make the waterways safer. The trash tally from Indian Slough to Schwob on the Iowa River included 1,420 pounds of waste plus 34 tires, two computer monitors, two dishwashers and two refrigerators. To date, three clean up events have occurred in Louisa County and over 3.5 tons (or 7,040 pounds) of trash has been cleared from Odessa Wildlife Area, Wapello Bottoms, Big Timber, Indian Slough, Port Louisa and the Iowa River with volunteers donating over 150 hours of their time.

Would you like to be a water quality hero? Join Louisa County Conservation for its next Pick-n-Paddle on the Iowa River on Saturday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will paddle from River Forks Access near Columbus Junction to the Highway 61 Access near Wapello, about 10 miles downstream. During the paddle, participants will be hunting for trash and enjoying nature’s surprises. During a break, they will test the water and learn about water quality.

“Keeping our rivers free of debris and monitoring water quality improves water trails for everyone,” stated a news release from Louisa County Conservation.

Registration for the paddle is limited to 20 people. Participants will be sent a detailed packet with shuttle information. There are still spaces left so register soon by calling 319-523-8381 or emailing conservation@louisacountyia.gov. A limited number of boats are available to borrow. The conservation office recommends paddling canoes, rather than kayaks, so you have space to haul the trash you find. All ages are welcome but children under the age of 16 need to be supervised by an adult. Masks are recommended when social distancing cannot be maintained.

More Pick-n-Paddles are scheduled throughout Louisa County for Aug. 14, and Oct. 16. These events are free thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Louisa County. EarthEcho International has provided the water quality test kits. Support has also been provided by N-Compass, Inc., the nonprofit that organizes Iowa Project AWARE. Gloves are donated by Ansell Protective Products and trash bags are from the Can Shed LLC.

For more information, visit LouisaCountyConservation.org, find the conservation office on Facebook or call Louisa County Conservation at 319-523-8381.