June 30, 2025
The Iowa Confluence (ICON) Water Trails project is now making headlines on a seemingly weekly basis. Before it got to this point, it was an idea with a vision. It took multiple organizations and leaders who believed in the potential of the project to work together to lay the groundwork…
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June 30, 2025
ICON Water Trails announced the first ICONic Riverfest event raised nearly $25,000 and removed 560 pounds of debris and 15 trailer loads of invasive species at 11 locations across ICON’s network with the help of about 140 volunteers. ICONic Riverfest is a regional volunteer initiative focused on furthering ICON’s mission…
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June 17, 2025
DES MOINES, IA (June 17, 2025) – ICON Water Trails is pleased to announce the first-ever ICONic Riverfest – made possible by Polk County – raised nearly $25,000, removing 560 pounds of debris and 15 trailer loads of invasive species surrounding the region’s waterways. The event brought together approximately 140…
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June 16, 2025
ICON Water Trails is hosting its first ICONic Riverfest, a regional volunteer cleanup event dedicated to improving the quality, safety and enjoyment of local water trails, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 11. Volunteers will remove debris and invasive species at designated sites throughout the ICON Regional Network.
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May 30, 2025
The number of miles of water trails throughout Central Iowa officially increased by 20 on Thursday with the designation of Beaver Creek and the Des Moines River as state water trails. Leaders from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ICON Water Trails, Polk County and the city of Johnston gathered to…
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May 30, 2025
DES MOINES, IA (May 30, 2025) – ICON Water Trails is pleased to announce that Beaver Creek and the Des Moines River are officially state designated water trails by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. ICON is contracted to assist the Iowa DNR in conducting the inventory procedures required to…
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May 20, 2025
ICON Water Trails has been awarded a $250,000 grant from Bank of America to support the Hubbell Trailhead at the Fleur Drive Dam, the second whitewater attraction in its downtown development timeline. The access point will include a whitewater feature, kayak launch and boat…
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May 16, 2025
DES MOINES, IA (May 16, 2025) – ICON Water Trails is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $250,000 grant from Bank of America. This investment will help support ICON’s Hubbell Trailhead at the Fleur Drive Dam, the second whitewater attraction in its downtown development timeline. The access…
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April 18, 2025
DES MOINES, IA (April 18, 2025) – ICON Water Trails Executive Director, Stephanie Oppel provided the following statement today regarding the death of Jay Byers, founding Central Iowa Water Trails board member: “ICON Water Trails is incredibly saddened by the loss of Jay Byers. We, like so many in our…
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April 7, 2025
Rick Wanamaker, a Realtor at Iowa Realty, noted that Des Moines offers community, walkability and access to outdoor experiences, which is what Gen Z values. “From the country’s longest bike trail system to major events like the Downtown Farmers’ Market. Considering these factors, paired with a growing…
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