RELEASE: ICON Water Trails Reaches Major Construction Milestone at Principal Point

DES MOINES, IA (July 27, 2026) – ICON Water Trails has reached a major milestone at Principal Point at Scott Avenue, as it enters a new phase of in-river work. Construction has been completed on all in-river elements, including the installation of the project’s whitewater feature, the waveshaper. While the in-river construction is now complete, the full site, including the in-river elements, remains closed to the public as tuning of the waveshaper begins and construction of the surrounding upland amenities continues. The site is anticipated to officially open to the public in Spring 2027, kicking off the recreation season.

With the cofferdam now fully removed, experienced whitewater kayakers, engineers, and whitewater park professionals from across the country will conduct on-water testing and make adjustments to optimize the wave feature for recreation and safety. During this phase, members of the public may see people on the water at the site. These individuals are working on behalf of ICON as part of the tuning process. For the safety of the public and project crews, the site remains closed and should not be accessed until all construction is complete and the site officially opens in Spring 2027.

“Seeing the in-river construction complete is a major milestone for our team and everyone who has helped bring this vision to life,” said Stephanie Oppel, Executive Director of ICON Water Trails. “We’re excited to enter this next phase of the project as we continue work toward opening the site. We can’t wait for the opportunities Principal Point will create for people to connect with the Des Moines River in a whole new way.”

Principal Point is being developed as a premier river recreation destination that improves both safety and access along the Des Moines River. The in-river improvements include the adjustable waveshaper whitewater feature, designed to provide recreational opportunities for paddlers with a range of experience levels, as well as a habitat channel that improves fish and wildlife passage through the area. Earlier phases of the project also mitigated the low-head dam beneath the Scott Avenue bridge, eliminating the dangerous recirculating current and creating safer river passage.

Construction will continue on the upland portion of the project, which will include a canoe and kayak launch, gathering spaces, trail connections, interpretive and wayfinding signage, landscaping, and other public amenities. Once complete, Principal Point will serve as a key destination within ICON’s Downtown Run.

The progress at Principal Point is one part of the larger transformation underway across ICON’s Downtown Run. The Harriet Street access was completed in June and will serve as the primary downstream takeout for the Downtown Run. Construction is actively underway at the Hubbell Trailhead at Fleur Drive, which will become ICON’s second whitewater recreation site. At Birdland Marina, ICON’s project continues to progress, with construction remaining on schedule for completion later this fall.

Beyond downtown, ICON’s Regional Network has grown to 21 active access sites with the completion of the Clive Greenbelt Landing Access, Merle Hay Access in Johnston, Colby Park Access in Windsor Heights, and Harriet Street this summer. Together, these projects continue to expand safe, accessible opportunities for people to connect with Central Iowa’s waterways.

To provide additional information about the project, ICON Water Trails will host a public happy hour and Q&A session at SingleSpeed Brewing Co. on Tuesday, August 4, from 5:00 –7:00 p.m. Community members are invited to learn more about the project, ask questions, and hear what’s next for Principal Point.

Additional information regarding the public opening and ribbon-cutting celebration will be announced closer to the project’s completion next spring.

About ICON Water Trails 

ICON Water Trails is a regionally inclusive recreational confluence connecting culture, conservation, and adventure by empowering our waterways. ICON is creating a connected network of access points across 150 miles of rivers and creeks in Central Iowa. This transformational initiative represents a new commitment to water safety and conservation as well as a concerted effort to drive economic development, visitor attraction, and workforce retention.