Skunk River Paddlers
 Development of the Skunk River Water Trail

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  In the Fall of 2002 the Skunk River Paddlers approached Story County Conservation (SCC) about the need for improvements at the E18 Access, where a bridge replacement project had left a steep and hazardous carry to the river. The paddlers, along with the SCC Trails Committee, the Skunk River Navy, and a number of other local and ISU student volunteers, cut a new trail into the hillside, stabilized potential washout areas with Geoweb, and placed gravel and stone along its length.

  While discussing the need for improvements at Anderson Canoe Access we decided to seek outside funding for development & renovation of all access points - both along the Skunk River Canoe Trail and further downstream within Story County. The result was a cooperative project between the Skunk River Paddlers, Story County Conservation, Prairie Rivers of Iowa RC&D and the cities of Ames and Story City.

  In 2003 the Skunk River Paddlers, together with SCC & with assistance from the RC&D, applied for a federal Recreational Trails Program grant in Story County Conservation's name. The application was approved in January 2004 and funds became available late in 2004.   Carol Williams, Special Projects Ranger with Story County Conservation, had the chore of wading through mountains of paperwork required by the IDOT. And Dave Thomson of the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program has since officially joined in the effort.