National Water Trails Designation

The Missouri National Recreation River Water Trail was added to the National Water Trails System last November.  The designation applies to 147 miles of the river between the spillways at Ft. Randall Dam to the channeled river in Sioux City, Iowa.  It's one of the last natural stretches of America's longest rivers.  The designation by the Secretary of the Interior helps to strengthen local efforts for recreation, conservation and restoration of America's waterways and surrounding lands.  Jarret Bies, co-founder of the South Dakota Kayak Challenge and founder of the Fort to Field 50 Paddle Battle and the Riverboat Days Kayak Run, discussed what the designation means for kayakers and canoeists.  He also talked about the spring and summer events in which he is involved along the river.