Whitewater Canyon; A diamond in the rough

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This article first appeared in INHF's Winter 2006 magazine.

by Leah Scheppers

Darrel Mills/INHF

Cliff Waller (left) and wife Jenny are working with INHF, the Dubuque County Conservation Board and other partners to preserve the spectacular Whitewater Canyon. In addition to its many recreational opportunities, the site contains numerous scenic, geologic, plant and wildlife treasures. One of the best ways to experience this canyon is by canoe.

Darrel Mills/INHF

It’s obvious from the related Ecology College article that Whitewater Canyon is a special place. That’s why the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is working closely with Dubuque County Conservation Board to acquire a 419-acre site containing parts of the canyon and associated uplands.

“This property is extremely unique,” said Bob Walton, director of the Dubuque County Conservation Department. “There is no development of any kind—and the combination of open land, woodlands and canyon on one property is rare. Whitewater Canyon’s beauty is unsurpassed.” 

Thanks to the property’s owners Cliff and Jenny Waller, who signed a purchase agreement with INHF, this unique, multi-dimensional site will now have a more secure future. Moreover, a portion of its two-mile long, 150-200 feet deep canyon will now be available for all to see and explore. The site also includes 258 acres of open land and 182 acres of woodlands. Its diverse geology hosts equally diverse plant and animal life.

Project contributions include a $290,00 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant from the state and significant private funding from groups including Pheasants Forever, Whitetails Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation. The Wallers also applied for the federal Forest Legacy Program and Conservation Reserve Program to make the $1 million price tag more affordable.

While Walton is pleased that fundraising is going well, he and INHF continue to seek public and private support. INHF will hold the property until Dubuque County raises all purchase funds.

Once funds are secured, the site will be managed by the Dubuque and Jones County Conservation Boards. Outdoor enthusiasts can then look forward to enjoying an assortment of activities here—from birdwatching and hunting to canoeing and environmental education.

Leah Scheppers is a Drake University student and Robert R. Buckmaster Intern at INHF.

Visit the Whitewater home page to learn more about this project and ways you can help.

For an educational background of Whitewater Canyon see the ecology college article.

For more information, e-mail the Dubuque County Conservation Board, or call them at (563) 556-6745.