ICON’s On-Water Maintenance and Safety program plays a vital role in our mission to connect water, communities, and people. This program maintains the rivers and creeks across our network, ensuring that our water trails remain accessible, navigable, and safe for all users. Work in this program is done in close partnership with our participating jurisdictions and the Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa.

In 2025, ICON completed maintenance on more than 20 miles of water trails, including stretches of Beaver Creek, Walnut Creek, North Walnut Creek, Mud Creek, Fourmile Creek, and the Raccoon River. In total, 7 jurisdictions saw work completed this season. These projects included shoreline stabilization, clearing log jams and strainers, and other improvements that keep our waterways passable and safe. Projects are prioritized based on navigability, usability, and potential safety concerns. Since the program began, ICON has completed work on over 40 miles of water trails.

The Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa is a central partner in making this work possible. The Water Trails Crew this year included members, Tricia Sporaa, Jordyn Mehre, Madeleine Johnson, Makenzie Fischer, Kelsey Smith-Hernandez, and Crew Lead, Mar Steibel (not pictured). This crew brings exceptional skill and dedication to every project. To better understand their day-to-day efforts, we spoke with members of their team.

A typical day begins with preparation and hauling equipment to the site. When the crew works to remove a strainer, they paddle out to the obstruction, assess the safest approach, and begin cutting it free. Once a hazard is cleared, they move downstream to tackle the next challenge. One crew member shared the satisfaction they feel from this work:
“To be able to clear something [a log jam], and then the next day paddle right by it — knowing it was there yesterday and now it’s open — is incredibly satisfying,” said Tricia Sporaa.

That is the experience our users feel as well. A water trail that is impassable or dangerous one day can be open and enjoyable the next. That transformation is the direct impact of the Corps’ hard work.

Beyond improving the paddling experience, this work significantly enhances safety. Strainers are a major hazard to paddlers, and their removal prevents accidents and reduces emergency response risks.

The benefits extend to water quality and environmental health as well. Streambank stabilization prevents erosion, protects adjacent land, and keeps harmful sediment out of the water. Using natural materials and native plants, these projects strengthen banks while preserving the natural character of our rivers and creeks. The result is cleaner water, healthier habitats, and more accessible water trails for all.

We are grateful for our partnership with the Conservation Corps and for the continued ability to complete this essential work across our network. Together, we are strengthening our water trails, improving safety, and creating lasting regional impact.

To learn more about the Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa Water Trails Crew, visit their website.