This blog is designed to highlight the paddling opportunities within South Dakota, mainly within a 50-mile radius of Sioux Falls. While Sioux Falls is far from the adventure of coastal regions, there is a certain satisfaction in utilizing the available waterways to observe weather, water conditions, and the landscape along the shoreline. In addition, there is a wealth of animal life on the waters of small South Dakota lakes, rivers, and creeks, including geese, ducks, pelicans, great blue heron, egrets, hawks, owls, perching birds, deer, raccoons, and beaver. Eagles, fox, and coyote are also sometimes spotted.

The sites described are places where I have kayaked over the past few years, mostly in South Dakota but sometimes including locations in Iowa and Minnesota. One of the best sources of information on the accessibility of small lakes is the South Dakota Atlas and Gazetteer, the large map book of South Dakota. Lakes with a public access are generally identified by a boat symbol marking the location of a launching site on public land.

You will notice the menu of paddling locations on the right side of the blog. Each of the postings is linked to one of the areas, and my intention is to provide a continuing review of the places where I paddle. Perhaps these narratives will help readers select waterways of interest to them. Please feel free to offer a comment regarding any of my postings; I would welcome the dialog.

I also maintain a companion blog that describes hiking opportunities within the Sioux Falls area. You can access that blog at: http://hikingsiouxfalls.blogspot.com

Saturday, February 16, 2008

South Dakota Canoe/Kayak Association Web Site

SDCA Logo

Under the leadership of SDCKA Board of Directors members, Jarett Bies and Steven Dahlmeier, there is now a South Dakota Canoe/Kayak web site up and available to serve the paddling community. I recommend that you bookmark the URL for the web site and check it often for updates: http://sdcka.blogspot.com

Already, there is a first post about area bodies of water. Beaver Creek, near Humbolt, is featured with an aerial view of the lake and a map of the area. This is a first rate service for all of us interested in exploring area waterways. The information on the SDCKA site nicely complements the narratives and photos that I have offered the paddling community on this blog. Jarett Bies plans on doing something this spring and summer very much like this blog featuring the many waterways in the Brookings area.  Technology is helping us all become better informed and poised for new ventures.

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