UPDATED TRIP LOCATIONS BELOW:

Monday Sept 7 Labor Day

Event: Labor Day Parade, 11:00 am, Des Moines
Meet at 10am in Lot 17 near the State Capitol

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Kicking off the final stretch of his campaign for clean water in Iowa, Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Chris Jones will paddle more than 100 miles down the Des Moines River the first week of September to draw attention to the pollution affecting one of Iowa's most important drinking water sources and to meet with Iowans along the way.

By law, the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture has primary duties to protect Iowa’s water and Iowans’ health. That water has deteriorated and Iowa’s cancer rates have soared in the past ten years during which time Iowa’s current Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, has held that position.

The "Paddle for Clean Water Tour" begins Tuesday, Sept. 1 in Emmetsburg, Mike Naig’s home county of Palo Alto, which has some of the highest cancer rates in the nation.

The tour will continue throughout the first week of September with “Clean River Rallies” to be held along the way in Humboldt, Fort Dodge, Lehigh, Boone, and finishing in Des Moines on Sunday, September 6th.

"I've spent my career studying Iowa's water and its major pollutants," Chris Jones said. "This campaign is a referendum on whether Iowa should have cleaner water, and for one week we're going to have that conversation on the river itself."

Each morning Chris and supporters will paddle approximately 20 miles down the Des Moines River, documenting the sources of nitrite and other pollution coming from upstream to the drinking water source for hundreds of thousands of Iowans.

Each evening there will be a “Clean River Rally,” a public event with food, drinks, and local speakers. Iowa legendary folk song writer and performer Dave Moore will lead local musicians in events supporting cleaner water in Iowa. Families are encouraged to attend.

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Tue Sept 1st

Event: Kickoff evening in Emmetsburg, Iowa Lakes Community College, 6-8 pm

Wednesday Sept 2nd

UPDATED DUE TO LOW WATER LEVEL:

In- Ham's Access, 8:00 am
33250 440th St, Rolfe, IA 50581

Out-Rose Mill Park above Rutland Dam, Rutland, 22.6 miles
Rose Mill Park, 398, 398 3rd St S, Rutland, IA 50582

Event: Bicknell Park, 5-8 pm, Humboldt
2-98 N 9th St, Humboldt, IA 50548

Total Mileage - 100.8 miles

Important notes:

- Participants are responsible for providing their own kayak or canoe.

- Limited shuttle service will be provided at the end of each leg to drive participants back to their vehicles. People are encouraged to have a driving partner who can bring vehicles to the out point each day.

- Participants are responsible for their own lodging each evening if joining for multiple days.

- Life jackets will be required at all times. No alcohol or unaccompanied minors will be permitted.

Below are the "Clean River Rallies" to be held each day after the paddling. Click on any of the links below to RSVP.

Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. | Iowa Lakes Community College, Emmetsburg

Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 5–8 p.m. | Bicknell Park, Humboldt

Thursday, Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. | Cosgrove Rivers Edge Discovery Center, Fort Dodge

Friday Sept 4 at 5:30pm at Riverside Tavern in Lehigh

Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. | Herman Park Pavilion, Boone

Sunday, Sept. 6 at 8 a.m. | Breakfast at Ledges State Park, Henning Shelter

Sunday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. | Captain Roy’s, at Birdland Park in Des Moines