What is a Water Trail?

Those who frequent Rural Resurrection know of my RAGBRAI pilgrimage across Iowa each year. They also know of my support for trails in tourism and economic development for rural communities. But there are other trails that bikes do not frequent, for good reason…they would sink. I’m talking about water trails. It’s a sector of the sporting world that is growing in popularity. A sector that could have a good impact on your community’s tourism and economic development efforts if done right.

Water Trail, National Park Service

What is a Water Trail?

As defined by Michigan Water Trails, “A water trail is a designated route along a lake, river, canal or bay specifically designed for people using small boats like kayaks, canoes, single sailboats or rowboats. The trails, sometimes called “blueways,” are the aquatic equivalent of a hiking trail (or “greenway”). Water trails feature well-developed access and launch points; are near significant historical, environmental or cultural points of interest; and often include nearby amenities such as restaurants, hotels and campgrounds.”

Water trails started out as canoe trails due to the surge in interest in canoeing in the 1970s. Back then guides were developed that consisted of a map and a narrative describing a water trail. However, these canoe guides morphed into water trail guides over time to broaden their scope to include kayaks and other paddle craft.

But not every community with a river nearby can create a water trail. The Michigan Water Trails website lists the four following requirements for a water trail in that state to be mentioned on their website:

• Be open to non-motorized watercraft;
• Include access sites that are open to the public;
• Have developed information and trail data that is publicly available and up to date (e.g., maps, guides, signage, and/or a website); and
• Be actively supported, managed and/or maintained by at least one organization or community that can serve as the source of the water trail information.

But I think it is also very important for multiple communities along a potential water trail to buy into the idea. Water trails can be a great draw for tourism if executed on a regional level. Communities that work together to make the trail a success will benefit greatly from the trail.

How are Water Trails Important to your Community?

Are water trails an important tourism driver? Considering that nearly every state in the Midwest has created a webpage specifically dedicated to water trails, absolutely. A 2015 study by the River Management Society provided the following analysis:

“While their contribution to the growth of outdoor activity has not been measured per se, water trails programs contribute to the health of the outdoor recreation industry. The Outdoor Industry Association ranked outdoor recreation as the third largest industry ($646 billion annual consumer spending) after outpatient healthcare and financial services and insurance ($767 and 780 billion, respectively). The outdoor recreation economy grew 5% during an economic recession from 2005 to 2011 (The Outdoor Recreation Economy, 2012), and paddlesports have increased significantly within the outdoor industry arena. Water sports (motorized and non-motorized) contributed $85 billion in spending, $4.8 billion in local and state taxes, and created over 800,000 jobs.”

That same study points out a few specific water trails in the country that have conducted an analysis of the economic benefit. This includes the Huron River Water Trail which estimates that 103,000 utilize the trail each year. The resulting benefit is estimated at $50 million for the region that the river winds through.

Kayaks on the Fremont Cut, by Joe Mable; Wikimedia

Midwest Water Trails

Here are water trail-related links for a few Midwest states so you can learn about water trails in your area.

Iowa – Iowa Confluence Water Trails

Kansas – Kansas River Trail – Travel Kansas

Michigan – Michigan Water Trails

Minnesota – Minnesota State Water Trails

Missouri – Visit Missouri’s Water Trails List

Nebraska – Water Trails – Nebraska Game and Parks

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Water Trails – Wisconsin DNR

Additionally, the National Park Service has a page on National Water Trails that’s a good resource for the development of a water trail as well.