SUMMER SEASON is fast approaching. The magic date is June 20, 2025 when our Earth’s axial tilt is at its maximum toward the sun.

For spherical objects like our Earth, the northern hemisphere receives its most direct sunlight rays. Day length is at or near its peak of 15 hours and 15 minutes between June 18 and the 24th.

With long daylight hours, outdoor activities become prime time. Just one prime time thing to do is head to the water, with a canoe or kayak, to enjoy quality time with Mother Nature.

Canoes have a long history with mankind. How exactly the form and function of a canoe’s shape was discovered, improvised or designed takes us on a long path of discovery at ancient settlements and ancient cultures.

One thing is quite clear — using a water craft of some sort allowed people to use waterways of rivers, lakes, or oceans to get from point A to B. People moved about the landscapes of the world to transport themselves, family, and food items. Foods gathered or hunted could be paddled back to a base camp, prepared and eaten.

Waterways were the equivalent to roadways long before round wheels were invented. And since round wheels required a roadway, or path overland from point A to B, those requirements were still centuries away.

Early indigenous peoples of Europe and North America easily recognized the utility of making or using natural products to float on the water. Early designs were simple in theory, but required considerable hand labor and time to make.

Those first attempts were to just hollow out a large diameter log, shape its front and rear to splice through the water, and they could carry people and survival gear using Mother Nature’s pathways of lakes, rivers and streams. It is even part of modern archeology to explore theories of how peoples from Asia and Siberia used boats to explore the coastlines of what we now call Alaska, Canada and North, Central and South America.

Along the way they sometimes decided to stay and live in these new lands. Canoes or early kayaks got them to those new homes.

A canoe is a lightweight but narrow vessel. It is typically pointed at both ends. It is typically open on top to allow for loading of all kinds of packs, gear, or harvested foods stores.

A canoe is pushed forward by paddling by either one, or commonly two people. Larger canoes built specifically for freight requirements might be paddled by a crew of six or eight or more people. Fur trading routes in Canada long ago by the Hudson Bay Company used canoes of all sizes to get furs and other products to market.

Whatever the intended use of the canoe or kayak dictates is hull shape, length and construction materials. A hollowed out log is a primitive start but it can be made to work.

Making a wooden frame of slats and then covering that frame with animal skins has worked. Seams may have to be sewn and waterproofed with pitch made from balsam fir trees.

The convenience of canoes lies in the ability of these shallow draft hulls to slip over cataracts or small waterfalls and rapids. If these obstacles were too menacing, a portage was required.

All packs could be unloaded, carried to the next access of quieter waters, and the canoe hand carried over the same route. Then the journey could proceed again after reloading the canoe.

Modern day canoes may be made of wood, or aluminum, or plexiglass Kevlar materials and composites of fiberglass. Each style of construction is trying to find a trade-off balance between weight, shape and water displacement.

The correct shape and material use allows for shallow draft, ease of transport, ease of use while on the water and load carrying needs. Engineers can plan each design to be longer or shorter, wider or narrow, all with the intent of making a watercraft specific for the owner’s wants and needs.

What counts most in terms of use is the length of the waterline and its value relative to displacement. Displacement is the weight of the water relative to the canoe/kayak and its contents of people and gear. A floating object displaces its own weight in water.

If you want to watch the various designs of canoes/kayaks in action, check out some videos online of competition events in fast water settings. The paddlers have to know their stuff, and be adept at control in bouncing big waves so as to not overturn and still make the time needed to the finish gate. It is impressive to see experts do their thing with specialized watercraft.

As for local canoeing opportunities, the Iowa River is, at this time, a tranquil waterway of just the right amount of flow to be a peaceful and quiet canoe float. The Hardin and Marshall County Conservation Boards have several properties with boat ramp access to make it easier to put

in and take out.

Daisy Long Park located one mile east of Union has an access. Canoe travel will take one through meandering loops of the river and into Marshall County. Marshall CCB has a boat ramp at the Forest Reserve and Timmons Grove. Next access downstream is at Riverview Park, then onto Furrow Access and lastly Three Bridges County Park.

Here are the river miles distances you can use for planning purposes. Daisy Long to the Forest Reserve is 8.2 miles. Forest Reserve to Timmons Grove is 5.9. Timmons to Marshalltown’s Riverview Park adds another 7.2 miles. Riverview to Furrow is 4.2 and Furrow to Three Bridges is 4.0.

Do not think you can do all of these stops in one day. That is too much distance for one day.

For the sake of your paddling muscles of arms and shoulders, make a shorter and time constraint distance equal to your ability. Plan for a 2 to 3 mph float speed, allowing the current to work for you. Caution: a strong wind in your face is going to require work with a capital “W” to paddle against the wind.

Do tell family or friends when and at what time you plan to launch, and where you plan to take out. Plan a reasonable time to arrive at the takeout point. If cell phones are with you, your low position on the river may not provide cell tower access.

Another tip is to put the cell phone inside a waterproof zip lock bag at all times. Sunscreen lotions are a must. Large brimmed hats keep sun off your neck and face. Have lots of cool water available to stay hydrated.

All these tips for your safety also apply to canoeing/kayaking at Sand Lake or Green Castle. Life jackets are a must when on the water. Do wear them at all times.

Many styles are available that allow freedom of movement when paddling. Life preservers only work if you are wearing them. Water depths are deep at Green Castle and even deeper at Sand Lake. On the river with its shallower bottom, it still can take a life if caution and common sense are not used. Be safe at all times.

Now that you have been advised of canoeing/kayaking for an outdoor activity, have fun, be safe and go explore the outdoors. It is summer time which equals canoe time.

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Wildlife viewing while canoeing on the river is going to happen. What might one see?

Deer with fawns. River otters or muskrats. Look for raccoons, mink, or even birds such as eagles, great blue herons, swallows, killdeer and orioles. In the water, look for freshwater clams, small and even larger fish.

Actively fishing while floating slowly along can work. Cast into the darker deep hole waters to see what might be lurking there.

Just have fun.

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Garry Brandenburg is the retired director of the Marshall County Conservation Board. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with a BS degree in Fish & Wildlife Biology.

Contact him at:

P.O. Box 96

Albion, IA 50005