Overview
Peterson Park is an old mining area along the Skunk River Greenbelt. There are three gravel pits (approximately 31 acres of water) to canoe or kayak. There is also access to the Skunk River Water Trail. The water trail offers approximately 34 miles from Story City Park (below the dam in Story City) to C.J. Shreck Access (South of Cambridge).
Skunk River Water Trail Access Points (listed from north to south):
Story City Park #246 ** Not owned or managed by Story County Conservation
Broad Street, Story City, 50248
56156 130th Street, Story City, 50248 (0.25 miles east of 560th on E-18)
56743 150th Street, Story City, 50248 (0.1 miles west of Pleasant Valley Road on 150th Street)
56364 170th Street, Ames, 50010 (Intersection of 170th and 563rd)
17952 Templeton Road, Ames, 50010 (1.5 miles east of Highway 69 on 180th)
646 W. Riverside Road, Ames, 50010 (Intersection of Riverside Road and Highway 69)
River Valley Park Access #227 ** Not owned or managed by Story County Conservation
725 East 13th Street, Ames, 50010
South 16th Street #224 ** Not owned or managed by Story County Conservation
Ames
56091 265th Street, Ames, 50010 (Near 560th Avenue)
57887 290th Street, Cambridge, 50046 (Intersection of 580th Avenue (R70) and 290th Street)
59627 Highway 210, Cambridge, 50046 (South of Cambridge on Highway 210; north side of road)
For up-to-date information on water levels, view the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's website: River Gauges.
Best float periods:
· April-July
· September-October
· When river is high
Hazards:
· Log jams are usual between Story City and Soper’s Mill
· There is a major log jam 0.5 miles below the Anderson Access which must be portaged
· Sharp turns and other obstacles are present in many sections
· Dam above Sleep Hollow/Riverside Road; portage on river right
· Dam at River Valley Park must be portaged