Public Invited to Hear The Dam Plan

The findings of the Water Trails Engineering Study are in, and not only is it technically feasible to develop a regional network of water trails for Greater Des Moines ­— there is also a coalition of partners dedicated to driving the next steps in this multi-year process.

Those two themes – what can be done, and how it can be done – will be the focus of a pair of public meetings called “The Dam Plan,” capping off the previous three Dam Debates. The meetings are on Thursday, June 21, at The Des Moines Register Community Room, Capital Square, 400 Locust St., Des Moines. The first meeting is from noon to 1:30 p.m., the second from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

“This project is the most transformational quality-of-life project of our generation in DSM,” said Jay Byers, Greater Des Moines Partnership CEO and Capital Crossroads Tri-Chair. “We need to come together as a region and get it done.”

Each meeting will include a short presentation, panel discussion with regional leaders, and an open house where the public can ask questions about the span of topics related to water trails, including the more than 80 water trails projects throughout the region, the downtown dam mitigation and proposed adventure park, water quality, safety, fundraising and economic development, and regional coordination.

About the Water Trails Engineering Study

The Water Trails Engineering Study, now coming to a close, was the first phase of implementation of the Greater Des Moines Water Trails and Greenways Master Plan, a road map for enhancing experiences in and along 150 miles of waterways in Greater Des Moines. For more information, please visit dmampo.org/water-trails-engineering-study or contact MPO communications manager Gunnar Olson at 515-334-0075 or golson@dmampo.org.