A Stream Come True

By Abby Hade Terpestra on June 19, 2025 in Blog

Bear Creek in the spring

On the edge of Allamakee County, nestled in the valley carved by Bear Creek, sits the infamous village of Quandahl. Here the Arctic Springs Creamery got its start in the late 1800’s churning out thousands of pounds of butter each year and, in 1966, where the entire village was sold at auction for fifteen thousand dollars.

The waters of Bear Creek were the main attraction for Quandahl, offering power for a grist mill and woolen mill and a natural cooling spot for the creamery. A blacksmith, mercantile store, bank and post office were built. But as automobiles made travel to larger towns easier, prosperity waned.

One thing stayed the same — the power of the Bear Creek waters. North Bear Creek was one of the earliest streams to document wild brown trout reproduction in Iowa and still has a stream population to this day. Rainbow trout have been stocked since the 1940s. It has long been an angler’s paradise.

The site may include an algific talus slope — a rare landform where a steep north-facing hillside releases cool air from ice found in cracks and caverns underground. (See A Global Treasure, page 10-11, for more information.)

In the Quandahl area today, INHF is working to open a public fishing and hunting area on 21 acres below the North and South Bear Creek confluence, holding 1/3 mile of Bear Creek. The site is adjacent to North Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area, which is owned by the state of Iowa and managed by the Iowa DNR.

Ed Power holding a fish at the creek A group of conservation-minded friends — including former INHF board member, the late Ed Power — came together collectively as Sunrise Over Bear LLC to purchase a house and acreage for private enjoyment. As their fishing days dwindled, they approached INHF to make protection of the property possible. They envisioned others being able to enjoy the trout fishing access and the unique geology and plant life of the place.

Proceeds from selling the house and land north of Quandahl Road will go towards the protection of the south 21 acres that contain stream access. INHF’s call for public support was quickly answered this spring by partners and individuals, so you should be able to use your 2026 fishing license and trout stamp here.

Many Trout Unlimited groups pitched in. David Klemme, Chair of the Trout Unlimited State Council, said, “Our chapters along with Trout Unlimited’s regional Trout Unlimited Driftless Area Restoration Effort (TUDARE) group have been focused on the Bear creeks. There has been significant restoration work performed on North Bear starting at the Minnesota border all the way down to the North and South Bear confluence. The Sunrise Over Bear project helps continue our focus on water quality and public access on the Bear Creeks.”

“These coldwater stream areas are precious and valued places, both from a habitat standpoint and recreationally,” said Brian Fankhauser, INHF Senior Land Stewardship and Blufflands Director. “Protecting them when the opportunity presents itself is a high priority.”

Thank you to the contributing conservation partners and private donors who helped INHF reach our fundraising goal including: