A water trail committee worked for a year to plan this.

All counties along the river signed a resolution establishing the trail. The Greenbelt Commission brought in representatives from all along the length of the river, Estherville to Keokuk.

In addition to the dozens that participated in the Fraser to Boone dedication float, there were float trips in most counties along the river on the same day.

It was a great start. We have come a long way in 16 years. A thousand miles of state-designated water trails, a dozen low head dams mitigated, 5 white water parks, a DNR program with excellent funding, thousands of new paddlers. For more see http://iowawatertrails.org/