The Two Rivers Journal
THE BENTON COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Tallgrass Prairie Exhibit at Nature Center
Benton County Conservation is excited to be hosting it’s second traveling
display: “Tallgrass Prairies - Past,
Present and Future”. This exhibit will
be at the Nature Center through October 9th and is located in the Cargill
room downstairs. Visitors may enter
through the south main entrance located under the large front porch.
The display is designed for families
with some interactive components
added for children.
Visitors are also welcome to discover the outdoor play area on the north
side of the Nature Center or stroll
along the trails (some are still under
construction so caution is advised).
No hours of operation have been set,
however visitors are always welcome
upon request, or generally whenever
the staff is at the building.
Keep checking vintoniowa.org for
Nature Center updates and educational program listings.
“Tallgrass Prairies - Past, Present and
Future” was developed by the Iowa
Association of Naturalists. The exhibit was
made possible with funding from REAPCEP (Resource Enhancement and Protection - Conservation Education Program),
Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Iowa Pheasants
Forever Native Seed Program, Iowa Trust for
Local Conservation, Living Roadway Trust
Fund, Tallgrass Prairie Center - UNI, and
Truax Company. Several county conservation boards and conservation friends groups
across the state provided matching funds to
make the REAP-CEP grant possible.
“Tallgrass Prairies - Past, Present and
Future”,artwork, text, and photographs were
provided by the exhibit team or used with
permission of the originators of the work,
or those who hold the rights to said work
and may only be used in conjunction with
the Prairies exhibit and promotion. All other
uses are prohibited unless prior approval is
requested in writing.
Generous Donation to Nature Center
The Benton County Conservation Foundation (BCCF) recently received a
$10,000 check from John and Beverly
Anderson and family, Vinton. It is
the family’s wish that the money be
used in the development of the Nature
Center.
If you would like to make a donation
to the Conservation Foundation, please
make checks payable to BCCF, and mail
to: BCCF, 5718 20th Ave., Dr., Vinton,
IA, 52349.
Standing in front of the “Lorax”, Naturalists
Karen Phelps and Aaron Askelson accept the
generous donation from supporter
John Anderson
VOLUME 1 FALL 2013
Inside this Issue
Traveling Prairie Exhibit
page 1
Nature Center Donation
page 1
New Naturalist
page 2
Rodgers Park
page 3
Old Creamery Trail
page 4
River Parks
page 5
Hannen Park
page 6
Upcoming Events
Insert
Electronic versions are
available at our website or viaemail through the
following website:
www.bentoncountyparks.com
Hello from the Nature Center by Aaron Askelson, Naturalist
It seemed when I first started here in May the rain would not stop coming down. Now that it is late August
the weather almost seems more fall like and we could probably use some of that rain again. This spring was
a new beginning for me. I accepted a full time position as an Interpretive Naturalist for Benton County Conservation. This has been a
dream many years in the making for me. I have had quite a few different jobs in my life and this one is the one I think I was destined for.
I have printed newspapers for the Iowa City Press Citizen, I’ve bent
metal hoses for Teledyne Rodney Metals, worked in a grocery store, a
junior high, and a mailroom to name a few.
Exciting things are happening in Benton County Conservation and I
am happy to be part of it. The Conservation Board hired me as a second naturalist to help grow the already strong environmental education
program they have here in Benton County. I was previously employed
by Scott County Conservation at the Wapsi River Environmental
Education Center where I worked for 2 years as a seasonal naturalist.
Prior to that, I had internships at Clinton County Conservation and Cedar County Conservation. These experiences exposed me to different
styles and types of environmental education that have helped me create my own approach to the exciting field of environmental education.
I love the outdoors and hope to share this love of the outdoors with the
people of Benton County and its visitors. My interests include paddle sports, survival skills, native plants and
animals and Native American history and traditions. I currently live outside of Tipton, in Cedar County on an
acreage with my wife Andrea, our two year old son Lucas, along with two dogs Chester and Ellie May and a
recently acquired cat named Tobin.
There has been a whirlwind of activity since I started. We have
planted and watered mores prairie plants and trees than I can
count. Many of these are around the Nature Center while others
are along the new trail connecting Rodgers Park to the Nature
Center. May is a busy time for a naturalist because that is when
all the schools plan their field trips. We had field trips scheduled
for almost every week day in May, but that is the way we like
it. Getting kids outdoors and learning about the natural environment is our job, and Karen Phelps and I love it. As schools
start up again for another year, we have already added some new
programming to the schools and public, and plan on expanding
into schools and areas that we have not been able to in the past.
Our Nature Center has not had our grand opening yet but progress is being made on nature displays inside. Karen and I have been creating trees, painting murals, and
adding the finishing touches to our already popular “Eagles Nest” for kids to play on. The outside of the
nature center has an outdoor playground that has already entertained countless kids, so stop by sometime with
the family and enjoy our natural play-scape. It is a great place to relax, have a picnic, enjoy the birds on the
feeders, or just walk the trails.
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Views from the Lake by Scott Bahmann, Ranger, Rodgers Park
As summer comes to a close, so does another good season of camping. It seems like only yesterday we were
visiting with park patrons and scrambling, trying to keep the
park in shape.
Here at Rodgers Park we have been quite busy this year mowing and trimming and cleaning bathrooms.
Not only have we been busy with the normal day to day operations, but have been working on new projects as well.
We recently remodeled the old maintenance shop which
will soon become a wood shop, metal shop, and wash stall.
With a new metal roof and sides, not only has it given us an
improved look, but it has helped to stabilize, weatherize and
overall improve the building.
Another big project for us is a new office and shop. This will
offer a new public restroom, office space and a much needed
storage area. You will also notice that the old ranger
residence has been moved and the residence garage
will follow once the new shop is in place. With these
projects taking place it seems like we are the Extreme Makeover Team.
View of Rodgers Lake with ranger residence removed
On a smaller scale, we have improved our
campsites. New site numbers have been
placed on the electrical boxes and site posts
removed. The gravel pads have also been
spruced up with new rock and pads added
for fire rings and picnic tables. New pads will
also be added on the west end of the campground. Work is still underway to complete
the trail to the west which connects the
Nature Center to the park. When completed,
campers will be able to embark on a leisurely walk to the Nature Center and utilize the
outdoor play-area as well as visit the Center
when open.
Many new trees have been planted at the park and along the trail with lots of help from staff and volunteers. As
we look towards the future, other projects may come to light such as camping yurts, a new enclosed shelter, as
well as a renovated shower building. As we all know, things can change from year to year, but hopefully these
projects will come to fruition. If you have not visited Rodgers Park before, you will need to make the drive. It is
a little piece of heaven located just north of Vinton.
Hope to see you soon!!
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Experiencing the Old Creamery Trail by Karen Phelps, Naturalist
Taking advantage of a beautiful July afternoon, I recently made the 30 mile round trip bicycle jaunt from Vinton
to Dysart and back on the Old Creamery Nature Trail.
Maintained by a group of volunteers and Benton County Conservation, the crushed limestone trail encompasses
the old Iowa Northern Railroad rail bed.
Starting in Vinton, the fifteen mile trail ends in the town of Dysart, with the last mile having an asphalt surface.
Known as the Dr. C.R. Roberts Memorial Parkway, this one mile section of trail was given to the town early
on and is also maintained by volunteers. Providing a much needed oasis, trail users are welcomed to Dysart by
what appears to be a strategically placed Casey’s convenience store. The sense of pride over their little section
of trail is evident as the day I rode into Dysart, several volunteers were out mowing, trimming and providing
general maintenance on the trail. An open air pavilion and several benches beckon patrons to utilize this area for
a picnic or small gathering. The downtown area lies just off the trail and also provides ample respite areas.
According to Bob LaGrange, one of the founders of The Old Creamery Nature Trail, the land for the trail was
purchased from the railroad in 1994, with the ownership of the title taking place around July 1, 1995. Several
successful lawsuits arising from misuse of the trail area and remaining
property by the previous owner provided the “seed” money to start work on
the trail in 1999. In 2010 the Benton County Conservation Board took over
the ownership of the trail.
Mile markers keep track of the distance traveled, so pedometers can be left
at home. Binoculars and a camera are recommended, as a variety of birds
and wildlife can be enjoyed while walking or bicycling the trail. Shortly after
leaving Vinton, I came across a colorful stand of prairie flowers including
Gray Headed Coneflower, Cup Plant, Bee Balm, Compass Plant, Butterfly
Milkweed, and Pale Purple Coneflower. Asters, though not yet in bloom, were
awaiting their moment of glory. Several Indigo Buntings flitted about and a
red-sided garter snake glided across the trail in front of me. I was escorted
down the trail for approximately one mile by a Red-Tailed Hawk and her
offspring. Raspy cries to her young, kept the curious young hawks at bay, yet
close enough for me to enjoy their playful antics.
The sweet fragrance of newly tasseled corn and common milkweed filled the
air as I crossed one of nine bridges along the trail.
As I spotted the red-orange color of the Butterfly Milkweed, my thoughts
traveled back in time when the Iowa Northern was chugging its way over the
5% grade of the rails. I imagined the red socks of a hobo protruding from a
box car as the hitchhiker caught a few winks in between towns. What was
the scene like then? Did he see the vast cornfields and smell their sweet fragrance or was the landscape still
blanketed in tall waves of prairie? Was he able to hear the cry of the hawk as she soared high overhead? How
many Hobos rode the rails between these two towns, stopping only long enough to find a meal and hop back
onto their steel carriage to be carried away to their next unknown destination?
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continued on page 5
Old Creamery Trail cont from page 4
The Old Creamery Nature Trail is a minimally maintained
trail, but provides for a wonderful place to walk or
bicycle. Most areas are packed with crushed limestone;
however, a few small areas are sand or hard packed dirt
and may prove muddy during wet periods. The town
of Garrison is situated at approximately the half-way
point and is a great starting or stopping point for those
less inclined to do the full 15 miles one way. The trail
committee is always looking for volunteers to help with
routine maintenance.
Please contact Benton County Conservation at
319-472-4942 or by email at
[email protected] if you are interested in volunteering.
Aside from the volunteers in Dysart, to my delight and perhaps disappointment, I encountered no one else while
out on the trail. The solitude was inspiring but the knowledge that no other patrons were out utilizing this very
gem of a trail, placed right in their own backyards, was disheartening. As a child, and now an adult, I have
always found my sense of place in the outdoors. I urge you to take advantage of the four seasons of Iowa and get
out and enjoy the treasures of your community.
The Mighty Cedar River by Jon Geiger, River Parks Ranger
Benton County Conservation currently manages many parks and recreational areas along the Cedar River as it flows through Benton County. These
parks include the Mount Auburn boat ramp, The Winnegar area, Tobin Cabin,
Minne Estema, The Vinton boat ramp, Milroy’s Access, Hoefle –Dulin, Benton City Fry, and Wildcat Bluff.
The Cedar River made the news back in 2008 for its record flooding levels
that effected many businesses and communities. The Cedar River crested
at 24.7 foot in Vinton which was 9 feet above flood stage. Flooding occurs
quite frequently in the spring of almost every year which stems from snow
melt and the addition of localized heavy spring rains. This past spring was
no exception with the river cresting at 18 feet. High river levels deposit
sediment and debris onto our roadways, parking lots, boat ramps, and lower
camping areas. Our conservation staff works hard after every flood event to
remove this sediment and debris from the affected areas, allowing them to re-open for public use. Reseeding
our grass areas and adding new rock to our roadways and parking lots are some of the ways that we repair damage after a flood.
The Cedar River originally was called the Red Cedar River. This name was given to it by the Meskwaki for
the Red Cedar trees growing along its banks. This river starts in Minnesota and travels 338 miles before finally
reaching the Iowa River in Columbus Junction. Although the Cedar is larger than the Iowa River, it is considered a tributary to the Iowa River.
continued on page 6
5
Improving Hannen Lake and it’s Watershed by Zach Parmater, Hannen Lake Park Ranger
This summer has flown by, hasn’t it? I don’t know about you, but I am
looking forward to the fall days of cool weather and breathtaking foliage.
Crappies, Bass and Catfish always seem to bite better at Hannen Lake
after the summer heat gives way to the cooler air of autumn that is sure to
settle on us for months to come.
We have been working on many projects in the park this summer and
plan to finish more before the real cold weather sets in. We have put up
new registration booths and signage on both sides of the lake. They are an
improvement from the old booths with laminated signage. Not only are
these new signs more aesthetically pleasing, but they provide visitors with
more organized information. We have also removed some areas from
the mowing cycle to promote more habitat for wildlife and reduce mowing costs. A big exciting project that we have begun is the conversion of
the ranger’s residence to a cabin rental so we will have two rental cabins
available in the future. Other projects include an improved fish cleaning
station and new gravel on the park roads.
Hannen Lake: A History
The Survey
Hannen Lake is located in Section 34 of Leroy Township,
Benton County. This land was first surveyed in the late fall of
1844 by Alfred L. Brown who recorded that the land was hilly
and sparsely covered by Bur, White and Black Oaks and the
occasional Hickory tree.
While surveying the township, Brown and his crew
encountered some Native Americans, probably members of the
Meskwaki Nation, who, Brown noted, considered the area “a
favorite hunting region.”
Meskwaki leader, Wakusasse, whose village was near
Hannen Lake. 1833 watercolor by Karl Bodmer, courtesy
State Historical Society of Iowa.
The Farm
By 1860 the land now included in the park was the farm of Henry Bell, a young English
immigrant who lived here with his wife, and five children. The Bells raised wheat, oats,
barley, potatoes, hay and beef cattle on 200 acres from 1855 - 1878 when Henry Bell purchased
a grist mill and the family moved to Marengo.
Creating a Lake
After the Bell family, the land was owned by several
different owners, including the Naumann, Delzell, Lyons and
Fisher families. The park was named for the Hannens, the last
family to farm the land before it
was acquired by Benton County
Conservation.
Benton County voters established the Benton County
Conservation Board in 1956. The board began creating
a county park, acquiring this site from members of the
Hannen family in 1958 and began construction of the lake
in 1960.
Hannen Lake was the first lake constructed by a
conservation board in Iowa.
Construction of the lake called for moving over 56,000
cubic yards of earth, placing 1,350 tons of stone rip rap,
and constructing a 600 foot long dam to create a 45 acre
lake.
Right: (above) Hannen Lake construction as seen from east end of the dam,
ca. 1960 (middle) Mearl Wayson and R.O. Burrows, Chairman of the Benton
County Conservation Board, survey Hannen Lake construction in April 1960
(below) Filling Hannen Lake, ca. 1960.
Working with many different groups, we have come up with a watershed
management plan to improve the water quality of Hannen Lake. This will
be an ongoing process that will begin with two years of water quality testing to help us determine the best approach for this project. The Lake has been deemed an impaired waterway by the state. Well, what exactly does
that mean? It means that the water in the Lake does not meet the state’s water quality standards. These standards are based on several criteria that grade a body of water. One of the criteria for high quality is the amount
of sediment or soil that is entering the waterway. High sediment levels are bad for aquatic life and make for
an unattractive cloudy lake. Sediment will also bring with it unwanted chemicals that could harm aquatic life
and swimmers at the beach, not to mention slowly filling the lake in. We are hoping that by making improvements in the Lake’s watershed, we can raise the quality of water in the lake. We will be implementing changes
all around the lake to control the sediment entering the lake during rain events. One of the best ways for us to
reduce the sediment entering the lake is to control dense, woody vegetation on the steep hills adjacent to the
lake. By removing this woody vegetation and replacing it with native grasses and plants, it will filter out more
sediment, keeping it from getting in the lake. Better management of the resources that we have will improve the
lake’s condition ten years from now. As things progress we will ask for help from those of you that love Hannen
Lake as much as we do. It is our job to make sure we protect what we have now, and if we can, make it better for
generations to come.
Continued from page 5 - Mighty Cedar
The Cedar River provides many recreational activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and
hunting. The river is home to many species of fish including Catfish, Northern Pike, Walleye, Bass, and many
others. The beautiful limestone banks, bluffs, sandbars, and many species of trees provide a great natural landscape and tranquility for those who experience it.
I invite everyone to come out to our parks and enjoy what this river has to offer. Remember, it is very important to keep our parks and rivers clean so that future generations can enjoy the same opportunities that we have
had. Please carry out all cans, bottles, wrappers, fishing line, and other garbage; even if it’s not yours.
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Fishing, Archery, Hunting, Anyone? by David Ervin, Seasonal Programmer
Some of you might know me or my family. I have lived in Benton County most of my life. My family moved
here from Kansas City, Missouri when I was three years old. My parents decided to move back to Benton County because this was where they grew up and it was the place they called home.
My job title for Benton County Conservation is “Seasonal Programmer”. It is my
duty to promote hunting and fishing to the citizens of, and visitors to, Benton County. I am working under a special grant obtained from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources designed to promote hunting and fishing in the state of Iowa. How our
natural resources are being used is something that I am very passionate about. I feel
that the best way to improve our natural resources is to start promoting better conservation practices to future generations. What better way of achieving this goal than
by teaching the younger generation proper conservation techniques through a love of
the outdoors.
What I like best about my job is working with kids. I just love to see a child catch
their first fish; the smile on their face is priceless. When the school children visit our
parks for a field trip, and then the children go home and tell their parents all about
the great day they had and the exciting things they did, it makes it all worthwhile. It
brings back memories of when I was that child. Some of the other programs that I
have lead or assisted with are veteran’s fishing day, rod building classes with instructor Bob Mahood (thanks Bob!), introduction to archery, casting, hunter education, and general fishing clinics.
After receiving my Associate degree from Kirkwood Community College this past spring, I am now continuing
my education in the field of conservation at Upper Iowa University. While attending UIU, I will continue to
work for Benton County Conservation. I am excited about attending school this semester and look forward to
upcoming programs and meeting many of you this fall.
AmeriCorps NCCC Helping out Benton County Conservation
The National Conservation Civilian Corps is once again lending a willing hand to help implement the many
ongoing projects that are happening in the Benton County parks.
The month of September finds the Cedar 4 Class XIX AmeriCorps team assisting Conservation with remodeling the Radcliff Cabin at the Tobin area along the Cedar River, constructing a trail from Rodgers Park to the
Nature Center, invasive species removal at Hannen Park, and maintenance on the Old Creamery Nature Trail
from Vinton to Dysart.
It’s not all work and no play for the team, as Naturalists Karen Phelps and Aaron Askelson, BCC naturalists,
will be providing environmental education programming for the team. Programs will include Atlatls, canoeing, prairies and snakes, and the story of Unga Chuck as told by Judge Tobin.
Matt Purdy, Executive Director for BCC was quoted as saying: “We’re excited to have AmeriCorps here
again. They do an awesome job and we are so fortunate to have this talented group of individuals right here
in our community. Not only do they help to accomplish our goals, but they bring a lot to our community. The
citizens of Vinton really enjoy having them be a part of the town.”
The Cedar 4 Class consists of: Team Leader - Mahala Greer, Paonia, Co; Alan Richardson, Asheboro, NC;
Samantha Janda, Sterling, MA; Bakari Jones, Goldsboro, NC; John Brantley IV, Orlando, FL; Devin Bolton,
Elmira, NY; Patrick Bower, Charleston, IL; Molly Gorman, Duvall, WA; Robert Barker, Lapeer, MI.
7
Conservation Board Members
Conservation Staff
Stephanie Black - Urbana, Chair
Mark Pingenot - Vinton, Vice-Chair
Bob Mahood - Vinton, Member
Randy Scheel - Garrison, Member
Jean Ohlen - Blairstown, Member
Matthew Purdy Executive Director
Scott Bahmann Deputy Director /
Ranger
Karen Phelps
Interpretive Naturalist
Aaron Askelson Interpretive Naturalist
The Benton County Conservation Board meets
the first Monday of every month at 5:30 at the
Nature Center. Meetings are open to the public.
Jon Geiger
Park Ranger
Zach Parmater
Park Ranger
Everett Leonard Maintenance
Please follow us on Facebook at Benton County Conservation
or visit us on the web at www.bentoncountyparks.com
Benton County Conservation
5718 20th Ave., Dr., Vinton, IA 52349
319-472-4942
Benton County Conservation Board
Interpretive Nature Center
5718 20th Avenue Drive
Vinton, Iowa 52349