River | County | Reach | Length (miles) | Description | Potential Classification | ORVs | Watershed (HUC Code 8) | Year Listed/ Updated | Other State |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boone River | Hamilton and Webster | From Webster City to confluence with Des Moines River. | 26 | Iowa's first designated "Protected Water Area." Identified for it's scenic and natural qualities, including relatively undisturbed riparian habitat and excellent smallmouth bass fishery. | Recreational | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Middle Des Moines | 1995 | |
Cedar River | Louisa, Muscatine | Highway 6 to mouth at Iowa River | 31 | Two federally listed endangered species of mussel and one federally listed species of bat may be found along the river; potentially rich in cultural resources; nice streamside relief with bluffs and ridges. | Cultural, Fish, Wildlife | Lower Cedar | 1982 | ||
Maquoketa River | Jackson, Jones | US 151 Bridge to Mississippi River (omit small reservoir northwest of Maquoketa) | 81 | River cuts narrow, gorge-like valley up to 150 feet deep through limestone; excellent water quality supporting productive smallmouth bass fishery; potentially rich in cultural resources; threatened northern wild monkshood has been found in basin. | Cultural, Fish, Geologic, Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife, Other | Maquoketa | 1982 | ||
Middle Raccoon River | Gutherie and Dallas | City of Panora to the city of Redfield dam. | 17 | A designated Iowa "Protected Water Area." Beautiful canoe route with good access. Excellent smallmouth bass fishing and wildlife viewing. | Scenic | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | South Raccoon | 1995 | |
Turkey River | Clayton, Gayette, Winneshiek, Howard | Vernon Springs to Mississippi River | 134 | Gently rolling hills with dense stands of trees; good trout stream; high potential for significant cultural resources; northern wild monkshood, a federally listed endangered species, has been found in the basin. | Cultural, Fish, Geologic, Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Other | Turkey | 1982 | ||
Upper Iowa River | Winneshick and Allamakee | City of Kendallville to Highway 76 crossing. | 73 | A designated "Protected Water Area." The state's most scenic canoe river with towering limestone outcroppings and beautiful riparian habitat. Good bass and trout fishing. | Wild | Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife | Upper Iowa | 1995 | |
Wapsipinicon River | Clinton, Scott, Cedar, Jones, Linn, Buchanan, Black Hawk, Bremer | Frederika to mouth at Mississippi River omitting reservoir NW of Independence, IA. | 215 | A designated Iowa "Protected Water Area." Wide, wooded flood plain with only limited development and agricultural encroachment; wide diversity of fish and wildlife habitat; exposed geologic fault; historically valuable Stone City quarries. | Fish, Geologic, Historic, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Wapsipinicon | 1982 | ||
Yellow River | Allamakee | Highway W60 near Myron (section 3, Post Township) to boundary of Effigy Mounds National Monument | 32 | Heavily wooded with marked relief, camping and backpacking opportunities; unusual ecological niches and plant life, including the northern wild monkshood, a federally listed threatened plant, has been found in the basin; good fishery; high potential for cultural resources (Effigy Mounds National Monument adjoins near mouth). | Cultural, Fish, Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Coon-Yellow | 1982 | ||
Yellow River | Allamakee | Entire segment within Effigy Mounds National Monument | 4 | One of fastest falling rivers in state, providing excellent fishing and canoeing opportunities. Numerous prehistoric Indian burial mounds. Site of Jefferson Davis Sawmill upstream from boundary. | Scenic | Cultural, Geologic, Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Coon-Yellow | 1982/ 1993 |
Last updated: November 30, 2016