Mississippi River Project E-Newsletter - October - Courtesy of Wendy Frohlich
The Mississippi River Project would like to invite you to Smith's Island National Recreation Trail to enjoy the fall colors. This is a beautiful time of year to enjoy nature's fireworks, so grab the kids or a friend and get outside!
Smith's Island Nature Trail is located just up-stream of Lock and Dam 14. For nature enthusiasts, the trail offers fantastic opportunities to spot numerous species of wildlife and plants. The one mile trail allows you to observe a unique mix of upland and river bottom tree species. There is also a wildlife viewing platform, perfect for setting up a spotting scope to watch migrating waterfowl.
For those who like to fish, there are numerous spots to try. The fishing pier that is located adjacent to the parking lot is attractive to those that do not want to walk far. Folks with more time to invest can prospect for "hot spots" along the shoreline of the LeClaire Canal, between the old lock and the footbridge to the Island, or along the main channel downstream of the locks. Fish species common to the area are Large Mouth Bass, Walleyes, Bluegills, Crappies, Bullheads, and Channel Catfish.
Smith's Island is located just off Hwy 67 between Pleasant Valley and Interstate 80. Watch for the brown Lock and Dam 14 Recreation Area sign. For more information contact Park Ranger Steve Vacek at (309) 794-4301.
Trick or Treat in the Park
On October 18, 2008 from 4-6 p.m. Thomson Causeway will be filled with ghosts and goblins. It will also be filled with your favorite superheroes and monster as the campground hosts it's annual "Trick-or-Treat in the Park". This program, started several years ago by a group of campers, has become an event folks plan for months in advance. In fact, if you haven't made your reservation for that weekend, you're too late. Reservations for this weekend fill up as quickly as Independence Day or Labor Day weekends.
In an attempt to maintain the family-oriented atmosphere of this event, the ranger staff has expanded and emphasized some of the rules in order to maintain the safety of this event. These rules and guidelines are listed below:
- Participation for all campers is voluntary. We ask that those who are participating to display a Trick-or-Treat Site sign on your campsite marker. The Trick-or-Treat Site sign is available from the fee attendant or park ranger.
- Trick-or-Treaters should not go onto campsites where there is not a Trick-or-Treat Site sign displayed.
- Campers are asked to only hand out treats that are commercially purchased, factory wrapped items. Homemade treats should not be distributed.
- Trick-or-Treaters should be 12 years old or younger and must be accompanied by an adult.
- Park visitors must not bring alcoholic beverages into the park. Campers must remain on their campsite while consuming alcohol. If you are seen walking with an open container you will be asked to return to your campsite or leave the park.
- Vehicle traffic within the campground loops will be restricted during the event so please plan you evening accordingly. The safety of our visitors is our #1 concern. Please obey the park speed limit of 10 mph.
- Visitor parking for this event will be along the Causeway Road and park rangers may prohibit further access to the park once this parking is full. We strongly encourage visitors to walk or bicycle into the park. No visitor parking will be allowed in camping loops that will be closed for the event.
- All pets must remain on a leash under six feet in length or otherwise physically restrained.
We look forward to seeing you and your goblins at this years event.
Mississippi River Project Service Contracts
The Mississippi River project will have service contracts going out for bids for the 2009 recreation season. Locations will be Fisherman's Corner, Shady Creek, Lock and Dam 16, and Ferry Landing. Tasks included in the contracts may include fee collection, cleaning, refuse collection, and mowing and trimming depending on the recreation area listed. Some contracts may include a campsite to live on free of charge during the recreation season, while others may not.
If you have any questions please contact the ranger station in charge of the recreation area or areas you are interested in bidding on. If you are unfamiliar with our recreation areas and how our bidding for these jobs is handled, we would strongly encourage a site visit to the parks that interest you, or arrange a visit with the rangers that manage the parks for more details before submitting a bid.
Eagle Counter Needed!
Are you an eagle watcher? Do you enjoy getting up early and driving to your favorite site (Locks and Dam 14) to watch these magnificent birds of prey? Do you enjoy following their flight, at times soaring high in the sky and then changing suddenly going low to the water to catch a fish?
If so, the Mississippi River Project needs you. You can put your fun, excitement and interest in eagle watching to a good cause. The Corps of Engineers is in need of eagle counters that would be available Wednesday mornings between 8:30 and 9:30. Counts will be conducted from early December to late February. If interested, please call Steve Vacek, Park Ranger at (309) 794-4301.
2009 Bald Eagle Watch Events
As these events get closer we will be posting details. If you would like a brochure please reply to this message with your mailing address and we will send you a brochure.
Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 9-11
QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois
Hours: NEW 4:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. Friday, 10:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Saturday, 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Sunday
* Live Eagle & Bird of Prey Programs by The World Bird Sanctuary
* Special Attractions - Scheer's Lumberjack Show & Niabi Zoo
* For more information contact the Mississippi River Visitor Center 309/794-5338 or Arlynn Hartwig 309/788-2543
Mississippi River Visitor Center
January 3 - February 15, Weekends Only
* Combination eagle watches and clock tower tours
* Saturday and Sunday times are: 9:30, 1:00, 3:00
* Reservations required. Group size is limited. Call 309/794-5338
Clinton Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 3
* Outdoor viewing: Lock & Dam 13, 8:00-4:00
* Live Bird and Nature Programs: Clinton Community College, 9:30-2:00
* Exhibits: Clinton Community College from 9:00 - 3:30
* Free bus service from college to the outdoor viewing area.
* For more information call: 815/259-3628
Muscatine Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 10
* Outdoor viewing from 9:00 to 1:00 at Riverside Park & Lock and Dam 16
* Live Eagle programs at 9:30 & 11:00 at Riverside Park
* For more information call: 563/263-7913
Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 17
* Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 11 from 9:00 - 4:00
* Live Eagle & Bird of Prey Programs by the The World Bird Sanctuary at 9:30, 12:15 & 3:00
* Indoor Exhibits from 9:00 - 4:30 at the Grand River Center - Port of Dubuque
* Trolley rides from Grand River Center to the National Mississippi River Museum and the outdoor viewing area.
* For more information call: 563/556-4372 or 563/582-0881
Keokuk Bald Eagle Days
Saturday and Sunday, January 17-18
* Indoor programs and Environmental Fair at the River City Mall, Keokuk, Iowa
* Live Eagle Programs Saturday 9:00-3:00 and Sunday 10:00-3:00
* Outdoor viewing along the River Front
* For more information call: 1-800-383-1219
LeClaire Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday and Sunday, January 24-25
* Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 14, Sat 10-1; Sun 1-4
* Indoor programs: Sat. at 10, 11, and 12; Sun. at 1,2, and 3
* Indoor programs: Mississippi Valley Welcome Center
* For more information call: 309/277-0937 x120
Quincy Bald Eagle Watch
Sunday, January 25
* Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 21: 10:00 - 4:00
* For more information call: 217/228-0890
For More Eagle Watch Information: www.missriver.org |