Delaware

Quaker Mill Dam Area is located 1 mile northeast of Manchester in section 19 of Delaware Township (T89N-R5W) Delaware County, Iowa.

The 2.5-acre Quaker Mill Dam area was donated to the Delaware County Conservation Board by Willard and Marcia Hawker in 2018. In 2022 the Hawker family donated an additional 17.7 acres. This brings the total land area of Quaker Mill Dam Area to 20.2 acres. This site on the Maquoketa River has a rich history and served as a popular recreational destination for the Manchester area in the 1930’s.

The river’s water power was a major attraction for early settlers:

• 1852 – Wooden dam was built to power a saw mill
• 1854 – A flouring mill was added
• 1865 – The mill was destroyed by flood waters
• 1867 – The mill was rebuilt and named Quaker Mill in reference to the owner’s religious heritage
• 1869 – Mill was destroyed by fire and rebuilt
• 1876 – Dam washed away and rebuilt
• 1907-1910 – Quaker Oats Company secured ownership of the mill
• 1914 – Wooden dam was replaced by a concrete structure
• 1922 – The concrete dam was expanded and converted to hydroelectric power
• 1967 – Quaker Mill hydroelectric power plant closes
• 1930’s-1960’s – The dam and mill pond were promoted as a recreational destination for boaters and water users
• 2017 – The deteriorating dam was demolished to improve river quality. The Maquoketa River is returned to a free-flowing river
• 2018 – The Hawker family donated the 2.5-acre dam site to the Delaware County Conservation Board
• 2022 – The Hawker family donated an additional 17.68 acres

In meeting with the goals and objectives of the Hawker family the Conservation Board will be managing the Quaker Mill Dam Area for public outdoor recreation. The area provides a picnic area, a viewing platform of the river and improved public access to the river. In 2020 a canoe and kayak launch were installed for paddlers to enter and exit the river with improved parking. Fishing access for small mouth bass, walleye, catfish and panfish has also been improved.

Restoring the river to a more natural state has created new outdoor recreational opportunities on the Maquoketa River.

Location

19385  169th Avenue

Manchester, IA

Features

The park amenities include:

• Picnic Area
• Canoe and Kayak River Access
• Scenic Viewing Area
• Fishing

Operating Hours & Seasons

This park is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm

Closures

All parks and natural areas remain open all year. However, facilities are closed to vehicle traffic and allow only walk-in access during the late fall and winter season. Parks with campground are usually open from mid-April through mid-October.