Monticello, IA
The Maquoketa Water Trail in Jones County is the most popular and scenic section of water trail in Iowa. The Maquoketa Water Trail includes the Mon Maq Dam in Monticello and the Pictured Rocks Wildlife Management Area which is located approximately 8 miles downstream of Monticello. Trail users and local residents alike were concerned about the impact of the high level of use on the area. During peak usage time – weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day – over 350 rented and privately owned canoes and kayaks, and over 100 tubes were staged at the sites each day. There was no developed parking area for the nearly 100 vehicles parking at Pictured Rocks to access the trail.
In order to meet the demand during this peak usage period, Shive-Hattery designed several amenity improvements for the areas. Three river access points, including a portage route around Mon Maq dam were added. A new shelter, restrooms, two gathering areas, parking accommodations, signage, walkways, paths, and trails for pedestrian use were also added. An observation deck was built on the remaining foundation of the former East Monticello Mill which was built on the site in 1853.
A significant challenge of this project was locating the site amenities to accommodate the existing high level of use and frequent flooding, while still preserving the sensitive natural and cultural resources of the area. Shortly after the project was completed in July 2010 the area experienced record breaking flooding after a breach in the nearby Lake Delhi Dam. The design of the improvements allowed the waters to rise and recede with no structural damage to the amenities.
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tags: flood, park, survey-boundary, land, survey-construction staking, survey-topographic, aerial, trail