River Conservation

[Black_Fly]

Civilization is hard on rivers. There are a couple organizations working to restore natural flow, acquire shoreline for conservation purposes, and clean up rivers. Locally, I try to help the Little Miami Conservacy, although I fear population growth is too much for that little river. Shame, it has an amazing history and is a beautiful stream in places. The Nature Conservacy gets some of my money, because they acquire land, which is a good way to protect streams. I was just wondering what organizations y'all think are doing a good job keeping rivers wild in the true sense.

 

[Jim Dodd]

For River cleanups here in Iowa, the biggest, is Project AWARE. It started while Iowa was governed by a Democrat, and has basically been defunded by our Republicans in charge now.
In spite of that,.
the Project carries on and grows every year. From private contributions. It's a week long River clean up, that covers about 50 miles of a different stream in Iowa, every July. Nearly 400 participants help to remove trash from our rivers, and recycle it !
https://www.iowaprojectaware.org/

I have been involved with this for at least 15 yrs. a family !


Another group Iowa Whitewater Coalition .
https://www.iowawhitewater.org/

Is involved in the removal of Low Head dams (Real Killers) and is pressing the Iowa Legislature for the removal, of those dams that no long provide hydro electricity. One was removed from my area, and another two, about 20 miles down stream.

It's all about People who care !

Jim

 

[Mnoutdoorfunguy]

Great topic thank you very much for bringing it up.
Here is an inspiring person in Minnesota: Waterway Jay
https://waterwayjay.com/

 

[Robin]

My next door neighbor is the Nature Conservancy, they protect about 1500 acres there including Beckly Bog (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beckley_Bog).

Behind me Norfolk Land Trust and then Connecticut River Watershed propertys (approx. 2000 ac) protects the headwaters of the Mad River.

My neighbor owns a 350 ac. farm founded in 1757 and he has sold his development rights to the federal government, further protecting the Mad River which flows through his land.

 

[Black_Fly]

Is the Mad really a quiet stream? In Ohio, streams are often named opposite of what they are.

 

[Black_Fly]

Great topic thank you very much for bringing it up.
Here is an inspiring person in Minnesota: Waterway Jay
https://waterwayjay.com/

Sweet website. Very inspiring.

 

[Robin]

Is the Mad really a quiet stream? In Ohio, streams are often named opposite of what they are.

Yes, it is a quiet stream. Most of it flows thru secluded hardwood forest, not really a canoe river but decent fishing for stocked trout. It flooded in 1955 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955_Connecticut_floods and the Army Corps of Engineers but a huge dry dam just upstream of the town of Winsted, Ct They allow the water to flow freely thru the dam.