265th Street Bridge Access is part of the Skunk River Water Trail. The water trail offers approximately 34 miles from Story City Park (below the dam in Story City) to C.J. Shreck Access (South of Cambridge).
Skunk River Water Trail Access Points (listed from north to south):
Story City Park #246 ** Not owned or managed by Story County Conservation
Broad Street, Story City, 50248
Lekwa Access #242
56156 130th Street, Story City, 50248 (0.25 miles east of 560th on E-18)
Anderson Access #239
56743 150th Street, Story City, 50248 (0.1 miles west of Pleasant Valley Road on 150th Street)
Soper’s Mill Access #235
56364 170th Street, Ames, 50010 (Intersection of 170th and 563rd)
Peterson Park Access #233
17952 Templeton Road, Ames, 50010 (1.5 miles east of Highway 69 on 180th)
Sleepy Hollow Access #230
646 W. Riverside Road, Ames, 50010 (Intersection of Riverside Road and Highway 69)
River Valley Park Access #227 ** Not owned or managed by Story County Conservation
725 East 13th Street, Ames, 50010
South 16th Street #224 ** Not owned or managed by Story County Conservation
Ames
265th Street Access #220
56091 265th Street, Ames, 50010 (Near 560th Avenue)
Askew Bridge Access #217
57887 290th Street, Cambridge, 50046 (Intersection of 580th Avenue (R70) and 290th Street)
C.J. Shreck Access #212
59627 Highway 210, Cambridge, 50046 (South of Cambridge on Highway 210; north side of road)
For up-to-date information on water levels, view the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's website: River Gauges.
Best float periods:
· April-July
· September-October
· When river is high
Hazards:
· Log jams are usual between Story City and Soper’s Mill
· There is a major log jam 0.5 miles below the Anderson Access which must be portaged
· Sharp turns and other obstacles are present in many sections
· Dam above Sleep Hollow/Riverside Road; portage on river right
· Dam at River Valley Park must be portaged
Water Trail – South Skunk River Map
