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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2018
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A weekend brushfire that burned 300
acres of the popular River Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Park in Council
Bluffs has created dangerous conditions for visitors to the area, according to
DNR officials.
While the OHV park’s main entrance is closed, pedestrians
can still access the area from nearby walking trails. Michelle Reinig,
supervisor of the DNR’s southwest state park district, is asking visitors to
avoid the park until damage to the area can be fully assessed.
“Most of the trees within the park have been burned, and
many are still smoldering,” said Reinig. “It’s very important for people to
avoid the area while conditions are still hazardous.”
According to Reinig, the two primary concerns are the
potential for damaged trees to fall and the fire reigniting.
Park staff is working with area foresters to conduct a
forest health assessment of the damaged trees, and also is partnering with city
and county officials to minimize further damage. The DNR will provide updates as
more information is gathered.
Media Contact:
Michelle Reinig, Southwest District Parks Supervisor, Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau, 515-250-2222; or Michelle.Reinig@dnr.iowa.gov
State Parks Preparing for
Camping Season
As Iowans excitedly anticipate warmer
temperatures, state park staff are getting ready for the start of the 2018
camping season. Iowa State Parks will officially launch the camping season
during the first weekend in May with its annual Camping Kick-Off Celebration.
“We look forward to welcoming people to our parks
each year,” said Todd Coffelt, chief of state parks for the Iowa DNR. “Camping
Kick-Off is our way of showing appreciation to our campers by offering programs
and activities for the entire family.”
More than 30 state parks will host special
activities the weekend of May 4-6, including kayaking clinics, fun runs, night
sky hikes, volunteer projects and more. A list of parks and their programs is
available at http://www.iowadnr.gov/campingkickoff
Campers will also receive a free issue of the
DNR's Iowa Outdoors magazine.
Those wanting to join the Camping Kickoff
celebration are encouraged to make a reservation now. Iowa has more than
4,700 state park campsites; 75 percent of them can be reserved in advance.
Reservations can be made at: https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/
“Iowa state parks are beloved overnight
destinations for many people,” says Coffelt. “We offer campsites that
appeal to a broad range of campers, from the more rustic hike-in sites to those
with all the popular amenities.”
And if camping isn’t your thing, 93 cabins are
available for rent in 19 state parks, reminds Coffelt. In the off season, (from
the Thursday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day), cabins can be
rented for a two-night minimum stay. Most of those cabins require a seven-day
minimum stay during the peak summer season.
Most state parks now have water turned on, with
shower and restroom buildings open for campers. Visit www.iowadnr.gov/stateparks for
more information about campsites, cabins, events, closures and to sign up to
receive State Parks News electronically.
Media Contact: Todd
Coffelt, Chief, Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau, 515-725-8485.
 Two trumpeter swans head to the water during a release event in 2015. Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR.
The Iowa Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) will release eight trumpeter swans at three locations in
southwest Iowa as part of the effort to create a self-sustaining population of
swans south of Interstate 80. All releases will occur rain or shine.
- Four swans will be released on the
north side of Lake Icaria at the east boat ramp on May 10 at 9:30 a.m., in partnership
with the Adams County Conservation Board.
- Two swans will be released at
Viking Lake near the restaurant/beach area on May 10 at 1 p.m.
- Two swans will be released at
Lake Anita on May 11 at 1:30 p.m., in partnership with the Cass County
Conservation Board.
These releases are part of the Iowa DNR’s
statewide effort to restore trumpeter swans to Iowa that began in 1993. Trumpeter
swans were once common in Iowa, but were gone from the state by the late 1880s.
By the early 1930s, only 69 trumpeter swans remained in the lower 48
states.
It takes six years, on average, before
trumpeter swans successfully nest. Last year, Iowa was home to 54 pairs of
nesting trumpeter swans; however, only two of those nesting pairs were south of
I-80. Dave Hoffman, wildlife research technician with the Iowa DNR, said the
goal is to raise that number to seven, which would likely create a self-sustaining
population.
“We are hopeful to get them nesting
here in a year or two,” Hoffman said. “We had swans displaying some territorial
signs last year at Lake Icaria, which is encouraging.”
As the largest North American
waterfowl, these all-white birds can weigh up to 32 pounds and have an 8-foot
wingspan. The trumpeter swans being released are young and flightless and will
imprint on the area where they learn to fly, returning each year as open water
is available. The swans were donated to the project from zoos in Cleveland,
Kansas City, Green Bay, Wis. and Maryland.
Each event includes a swan and wetland
presentation, an opportunity to touch and view the swans up close, and a photo
opportunity with the kids.
For more information, contact David Hoffman at David.Hoffman@dnr.iowa.gov
or 641-425-0737.
For the Lake Icaria release, contact Travis Paul,
Adams County Conservation Board, at 641-322-4793; for the Viking Lake release, contact
Todd Carrick Iowa Department of Natural Resources Viking Lake State Park at (712)
829-2235; for the Lake Anita release, contact Joshua Peach, Iowa Department of
Natural Resources Lake Anita State Park, (712) 762-3564 or Lora Kanning,
Naturalist Cass County Conservation Board (712) 769-2372.
 Empty boat trails overflow available parking at the Marble Beach boat ramp during opening day of the 2014 walleye season. Photot courtesy of the Iowa DNR.
The 142th walleye fishing season
officially opens May 5 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.
“Winter is still
hanging on in northern Iowa and some lakes are still frozen. The latest ice out for Spirit Lake and the
Okoboji’s is April 28th, 1951, and we’re on track to get close to
that date,” said fisheries biologist Mike Hawkins. “There aren’t many
years of history to study to know how this late ice will affect the bite. We expect the spawn to be delayed and the
spring pattern accelerated.”
Walleye population assessments in the Iowa Great Lakes show
healthy numbers of walleyes. “We continue to see some very good numbers
of broodstock sized fish (17-inches and greater) in the Iowa Great Lakes.”
Hawkins added that the number of fish under 17 inches will also be good
this year. “On Spirit Lake, I predict anglers will catch quite a few 13-
to 15-inch walleyes.”
Like many of Iowa’s
lake walleye populations, stocking success is highly variable with good year
classes of walleyes occurring every 3-5 years. “Even when millions of
walleyes are stocked each year, Mother Nature and other lake variables usually
dictate how well a stocking will do,” Hawkins notes. “This year looks to be one
of those years when we will hit the part of the cycle with good numbers of
harvest sized fish.”
Marble Beach State Park, a popular
area campground and boat ramp, will be closed this year for an extensive
improvement project. Since the entire
park is closed, the fish cleaning station will not be in operation. Campgrounds at Gull Point and Emerson Bay
will be open with other private facilities and hotels also available. The fish cleaning station at Emerson Bay
State Park will be available.
Walleye season opens the first
Saturday in May and runs through February 14 each year on Spirit Lake, East
Okoboji Lake and West Okoboji Lake. There is a protected slot limit on walleyes
from 17- to 22-inches, with only one walleye over 22-inches allowed per day on
Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji Lake, Upper and Lower Gar Lake and
Minnewashta Lake. The daily limit is three walleyes with a possession limit of
six.
The Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of
Commerce will host the 36rd annual Great Walleye Weekend Fishing
Contest in conjunction with the opener.
For more information on the contest, visit their website at www.okobojichamber.com.
Media Contact: Mike
Hawkins, Fisheries Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 712-336-1840.
MORAVIA, Iowa – Crews with the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources are usually working around the clock in early April collecting
walleyes. The cold, late spring is making this year’s collection schedule less predictable
and much later than normal.
“This
spring has been very unusual,” said Jay Rudacille, DNR Warm and Coolwater Fish
Culture supervisor. “Typically there is a lot of overlap between our four
walleye spawning operations with netting at Rathbun Lake and Storm Lake
starting about the same time followed by Clear Lake and Spirit Lake.“
The
late night, walleye collection was completed at Rathbun Lake on April 15, with
crews netting for nine nights starting April 7. Netting began at Storm Lake on
April 11, was delayed a week with cold weather and winter conditions, and has started
again. Netting operations are expected to start at Clear Lake and Spirit Lake later
this week.
“Looking
back on the history of walleye netting, Rathbun Lake has never finished netting
before Spirit Lake has started,” Rudacille said.
Winter
is still hanging on in northern Iowa. “The latest ice out for Spirit Lake and
the Okoboji’s is April 28th, 1951,” said fisheries biologist Mike Hawkins. “We’re on track to get close to that date
this year.”
Media Contact: Jay
Rudacille, DNR Warm and Coolwater Fish Culture Supervisor, 641-647-2406.
MORAVIA, Iowa – Honey Creek Resort, located on Iowa’s
Rathbun Lake, recently announced “Honey Creek Live,” a new, six-week outdoor
concert series that will take place at the resort every Thursday from June 28
to Aug. 2.
The concert series will be free for both resort guests
and visitors. The stage, located on Honey Creek’s Great Lawn, allows for scenic views of the resort area
and Rathbun Lake. The lineup features local Iowa musical acts and boasts nationally-recognized artists in
pop-rock, country, folk rock, blues and funk. All shows will be family friendly, with Honey Creek Resort’s
vast lawn providing ample space for children to play. Food and drinks, including beer and bottled
alcoholic drinks, will be available for sale at each show. Beer and food sales
will support the concert series and future events.
Series lineup:
- June 28 – Brazilian 2wins: Brazilian 2wins draws
influence from pop, hip hop and funk while incorporating their signature violin
and ukulele instrumentals.
- July 5 – The Boys: The Boys are a modern country cover
band from southeastern Iowa, covering popular artists such as Chris Stapleton,
Eric Church, John Pardi, Luke Bryan, Granger Smith and many more.
- July 12 – Decoy: Decoy is a pop/rock band that creates
its own unique sound from an eclectic mix of influences.
- July 19 – Final Mix: Final Mix serves up the latest in
R&B, jazz fusion, blues, hip hop, rock & roll and original
material.
- July 26 – The Nadas: The Nadas are an alternative,
Americana, country, folk, indie, rock, songwriter group from Des Moines with a
dedicated local and national following.
- Aug. 2 – Standing Hampton: Standing Hampton are a premier
export of the Des Moines music scene, performing selections from the ‘70s, ‘80s
and beyond.
Acts will begin at 6 p.m. and finish around 9 p.m. Guests
should bring a chair or a blanket.
Media Contact: Lindsay Truesdell, Delaware North,
716-858- 5024, email: ltruesdell@delawarenorth.com
Big Creek State Park is hosting a 6,000-step challenge walk
on April 29 from 1 to 4 p.m., encouraging people to be healthy
outdoors.
The fun walk is free and will take participants to various locations
throughout the state park, with trivia about park history, amenities, natural
resources and healthy aspects of outdoor recreation. Participants will be
entered into a drawing that will take place at 4 p.m. (need not be present at
the time of drawing to win).
Big Creek State Park is located at 8550
NW 142nd Ave., northwest of Polk
City. Meet at Shelter #1 near the beach concession stand.
Media Contact: Chad Kelchen, Park Manager, Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau, 515-984-6473; or Chad.Kelchen@dnr.iowa.gov
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