Water Enthusiasts Gain New Access to Cedar River State Water Trail

LYLE TOWNSHIP, MOWER COUNTY — After more than a decade in the works, a major access has opened to the public on the Cedar River State Water Trail, between Austin and the Iowa border.

Paddlers now can exit or launch onto the Cedar River after crews removed a construction-related silt curtain in September from the water below the new concrete ramp. This 3-acre site off Minnesota Highway 105 about five miles south of Austin also can be enjoyed by anglers and nature enthusiasts, and it features off-road parking stalls.

On September 29, state and local officials with the project gathered at the Orchard Creek Landing to view the nearly $161,000 project. This came together under a partnership of the Cedar River Watershed District (CRWD), Mower Soil & Water Conservation District, Mower County, The Hormel Foundation, Minnesota Department of Transportation (the site’s owner) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which will maintain the access.

“We couldn’t be more excited for this access to finally be a reality at a beautiful stretch of the river,” announced the CRWD in its news release. “This is a much-needed access on the Cedar River State Water Trail and a great example of the power of partnerships as we needed each other to work through challenges and get it done.”

Mower County Public Works recently installed signage on bridges over the Cedar River State Water Trail from Austin to the Iowa border. This included County Roads 28, 4, 5, 6 and Stateline Road. The county created and installed the signs at the request of CRWD, which covered the costs.

These signs identify the bridge and include details on the next access downstream. They were inspired by similar bridge signage over the Cedar River in neighboring Mitchell County, Iowa, which made the Cedar an official “water trail” in 2023.

Kayakers use the Orchard Creek Landing to access the Cedar River in Mower County. The Cedar River hosts one of 35 state water trails in Minnesota. It spans 25 river miles in Mower County to the Iowa border. (Photo courtesy of Cedar River Watershed District)

“The parking lot is amazing and the access is perfect – it was very easy and convenient to get out,” said Charity Lifka who had launched from the DNR’s Riverwood Landing in Austin Township. Lifka, of Austin, was among the first to use the new Orchard Creek Landing.

Lifka discovered a passion for kayaking in 2020 and has kayaked the local stretch of the Cedar seven times this season, seeking the relaxation and wildlife offered by the river. She and her husband, she added, also appreciate the new bridge signage. “I feel like having this new access will make it easier for more people to enjoy the beautiful river and kayaking – I know it’s going to encourage us to kayak even more often.”

CRWD had pursued the Orchard access since 2014 but challenges with funding and the site’s land records delayed progress. A big component of the project was building a larger, safer vehicle entrance/exit to the site off Highway 105.

Located between Mower County Roads 4 and 5, the Orchard access is about a half mile south of the Cedar City Cemetery sign along Highway 105. DNR water-access signs are posted on Highway 105 for north- and southbound traffic.

“The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is pleased to be part of a project that engages all partners to achieve a positive outcome for the public and meets the needs of all involved,” said Mike Dougherty, a spokesman for MnDOT District 6 in southeast Minnesota.

Project partners gathered to formally open the Orchard Creek Landing, including Mike Dougherty of the Minnesota Department of Transportation; Tim Ruzek, Cedar River Watershed District; and Tom Dankert of The Hormel Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Cedar River Watershed District).

Overall, the project was funded by a $44,000 design-only DNR grant and $95,000 grant from The Hormel Foundation, with the rest covered by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds provided by Mower County to Mower SWCD.

Silt curtains on the land remain in place until vegetation gets established. Signage related to the state water trail is planned near the access along with the installation of a solar-powered light. DNR maps for the Cedar River State Water Trail will be updated for the 2026 season to include the Orchard Creek Landing.

For paddlers, the Orchard access is about 7.5 river miles downstream from the public canoe-kayak launch behind Austin’s Marcusen Park baseball stadium. It’s nearly 4 river miles south of the DNR’s Riverwood Landing in Austin Township.

From Orchard, it’s about 8 river miles to Stateline Road, where a small access is on the Iowa side.

Drone footage looking downstream from the landing shows the river access, parking lot and surrounding countryside. (Photo courtesy of Cedar River Watershed District)

This landing at Orchard Creek is the fifth public access built since 2017 by CRWD-Mower SWCD and partners on the Cedar River State Water Trail and its tributary streams of Turtle and Wolf creeks. While paddlers can put in and take out at county bridges, those sites can be difficult for launching or taking out watercraft due to large rocks protecting the bridges.

Totaling 25 river miles in Mower County, the Cedar River State Water Trail is one of 35 state water trails that cover more than 4,500 miles. In 2011, the Minnesota Legislature designated this stretch of the Cedar as the 33^rd state water trail at the request of CRWD and its partners.

In 2023, state and county officials in Iowa celebrated designating 32 miles of the Cedar River as a “state water trail” through Mitchell County, which borders Mower County. That created 57 continuous river miles of “state water trail” between Mower and Mitchell counties. CRWD continues to work with colleagues in Iowa on water trail projects.